Sr. Joan Brown: Strong methane rules protect God’s creation
In an opinion piece, published in The New Mexican on Jan. 14, urged policy makers to enact strong methane rules.
“...it’s so important the EPA strengthens its proposed rule by eliminating exemptions that would allow for many wells to be missed and many communities to continue to have to live with this harmful pollution. We need the rule to cover not just large producers but small ones — whose polluting impact can often be as bad or worse as larger sites.
The rule should make inspections more frequent and step up oversight, including allowing third-party observers to provide emissions data. It should institute stronger regulations over flaring — including banning routine flaring and placing strict limitations on unlit flares that vent methane pollution straight into the atmosphere.
St. Francis of Assisi centuries ago wrote that it was the responsibility of civic leaders to care for the common good. It falls on policymakers — including regulators at the EPA and other agencies — to uphold that ethical and moral standard to care for our sacred creation and common home. The time for action on climate has been here for a while. The EPA should take this opportunity to act on climate by finalizing strong methane pollution standards.
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