A huge thanks to all who attended the EPA methane hearing in Dallas on September 23. Supporters of methane pollution regulations outnumbered polluting industry representatives by an estimated 106-8! The hearing was more than just a numbers game though. It gave Texans from North Texas and South Texas who suffer from fracking pollution the chance to meet each other and build relationships.
The Dallas City Council chambers were abuzz with energy and enthusiasm for most of the day, with a peak in attendance for the 12:30pm coalition press conference. Moms Clean Air Force had a mobile banner outside of the event to help set the stage. Speakers enjoyed an impressive audience of no less than 50-60 folks who broke out into applause and cheers after the submission of each pro-regulation speaker. Happily, the audience size grew steadily throughout the morning and virtually everyone present in the hearing audience also attended the coalition press conference.
At the press conference itself more than 100 supporters of further methane regulations cheered on the five press conference speakers.
After the press conference, the afternoon was a full six hours of solid, uninterrupted testimony supporting strong methane regulations. Nearly everyone who spoke in favor of the new regulations also requested/demanded that the proposals be amended to include existing infrastructure. The idea that the regulations “need to do more” or “need to go further” was echoed loudly throughout the day. Other notable points in testimony included:
- HB 40, the recent Texas law designed by ALEC and supported by the Texas Legislature, was the target of unending criticism. It was used as another reason for the EPA to take action at the federal level (since at our state level municipalities are now forbidden from most local control of fracking regulations.)
- A large majority of speakers expressed suspicions of corruption in Texas, focusing on the state agencies of the TCEQ and the RRC. Many folks expressed the idea that in Texas specifically, there is no firewall between industry and government oversight/regulation. “The fox is watching the henhouse” type of language was used frequently.
- Ozone and smog problems were mentioned often. Air quality and asthma rates were probably the most cited evidence (both in studies and anecdotally) as to why the proposed standards are necessary.
- Finally, many folks referenced climate change and the need for strong(er) regulations in the face of the mounting climate disaster. It was certainly made clear that the proposed rules by themselves do not do enough to adequately address America’s greenhouse gas footprint on a timeline that makes sense.
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX 30) issued a statement read during the EPA hearing expressing support for methane regulations as well.
“This proposal is one piece of the broader effort we need to ensure a healthy environment and vibrant future for our children and grandchildren. Methane is more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its greenhouse gas effects and as such, cutting methane emissions is critical to addressing climate change. We need to listen to our scientists, to our religious leaders, and the American people by supporting broad-based national policies that will cut carbon pollution because acting on climate change is not only an environmental imperative, but a public health and economic one as well.”