Bipartisan Senate Coalition Defends BLM Methane Rule

Resolution to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste reduction rule rejected in Senate

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate rejected a motion to take up a resolution to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste reduction rule by a vote of 49 to 51. Three Republican Senators joined the Democratic Caucus to protect common sense limits on oil and gas methane waste — a super-pollutant that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in altering our planet’s climate in the short term. Methane-fueled climate changes pose a dire threat to wildlife and our public lands and the rule took a cost-effective approach to limiting this threat while saving taxpayers money in the long run.
 
Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said today: 

“Today the Senate voted to reject the attempted rollback of a commonsense solution to reduce wasted methane emission from energy development on public and tribal lands. 

“This vote is a clear signal that a majority of the Senate supports America's public lands and outdoor economy through which Americans spend $887 billion annually hunting, fishing, and enjoying outdoor recreation — supporting 7.5 million jobs. By defending the rule, 51 Senators protected nearly $330 million in market value of methane on public and tribal lands that otherwise would have been wasted through venting and flaring. Ensuring that methane resources are not wasted will protect both air quality and significant revenues for local communities. The 51 Senators that voted to defeat today's repeal proposal should be congratulated for their steadfast defense of America's public resources and our outdoor heritage. We thank the Democratic Caucus and Senators Collins, Graham, and McCain for their strong reminder that conservation is and should remain a widely-held American value.”

Read More: 
NWF Oil and Gas Methane Pollution Report —
An Invisible Threat to Wildlife and Economic Opportunity for Communities

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