New Methane Leakage & Repair Standards for Gathering, Transmission & Distribution Pipelines

Webinar on New Federal Pipeline Air Pollution Standards on June 29th

TO: Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition, June 27, 2023

FROM: CLEAN AIR COUNCIL, Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to update methane leakage and repair standards for gas gathering, transmission and distribution pipelines for the first time since the 1970s. The PIPES Act of 2020 gave PHMSA the authority to create new methane leakage and repair standards that address the environmental impact of climate-changing methane pollution.

Previous standards were targeted at preventing pipeline explosions. The proposed updated leakage and repair standards will not only reduce the air pollution that is driving the climate crisis as well as smog-causing volatile organic compounds (VOC) and known carcinogens like benzene, they will address gas leaks before there is a risk of an explosion.

The proposed rule is a massive step forward in environmental protections, but must be significantly strengthened. Comments on the rule will be received until July 17th. Next week, Clean Air Council and Earthworks staff will host a virtual education session to describe the rule, its impacts, and areas where PHMSA could improve the rule. This rule is especially important because it addresses sources of methane pollution from the gas industry not included in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) soon-to-be-finalized methane standards for gas wells and compressor stations.

The webinar will be Thursday, June 29th from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.

Please click here to register.

Speakers will discuss the rule and potential improvements while linking the rule to ongoing efforts to improve public health:

>>> Susan Sunhee Volz, Advocacy Coordinator with Clean Air Council. She is working to decarbonize PGW and stop its expansion of gas infrastructure in Philadelphia, while also engaging with communities impacted by pipeline projects across Pennsylvania.

>>> Melissa Ostroff, Pennsylvania Policy and Field Advocate with Earthworks. She uses optical gas imaging technology to uncover invisible pollution from the oil and gas industry and advocates for policies that protect public health and climate from harm.

>>> Russell Zerbo, Advocate with Clean Air Council. He works on state and federal permitting and regulation of natural gas infrastructure.

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