PA Environmental Groups: Time Is Ripe For Action On Methane Pollution

Harrisburg, PA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Leading Pennsylvania and national environmental organizations today encouraged Governor-elect Tom Wolf to improve the protection of environmental and public health by tackling methane pollution early in his tenure as governor.

Recent polling indicates that 70 percent of Pennsylvanians not only have been dissatisfied with the lack of state leadership on natural gas issues, but also support regulating methane emissions in the state. (Poll conducted by Global Strategy Group of 801 registered voters in Pennsylvania between September 25-29, 2014.)

Mr. Wolf expressed a similar perspective – in line with public sentiment – last year when he addressed the issue of methane leaks: "We need to get clean air and clean water regulations that actually would prevent [methane leaks] from happening."

By adopting leading-edge practices to prevent methane emissions, Pennsylvania can make a common sense and cost-effective commitment to protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The groups today urged Mr. Wolf to build on public support and make comprehensive methane regulations one of the first acts of his administration. Early action on methane will signal a commitment to safeguarding air, water and land and protectingPennsylvania families and the communities in which they live.

Participating organizations include the Clean Air Council, Clean Air Task Force, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Clean Water Action, Environmental Defense Fund, PennEnvironment, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PennFuture, and The Nature Conservancy – Pennsylvania Chapter.

PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization founded in 1998 with offices in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphiaand Wilkes-Barre. The organization's activities include litigating cases before regulatory bodies and in local, state, and federal courts; advocating and advancing legislative action on a state and federal level; public education; and assisting citizens in public advocacy.