The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program. This decision was made through a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval. The American Lung Association expressed disappointment with this move, emphasizing the importance of maintaining health-protective measures.
Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, commented on the situation: “Today, a majority of House members voted to overturn commonsense safeguards that protect people’s lungs. The Lung Association is disappointed at their failure to prioritize people’s health and calls on U.S. Senators not to follow suit. The Senate must not vote to overturn this safeguard."
Wimmer further elaborated on the significance of the program: “Today’s vote would overturn a good program to help ensure the oil and gas industry cleans up methane emissions. If allowed to move forward, this safeguard would address our warming climate and help reduce waste and air pollution.”
He highlighted the critical nature of curbing methane emissions from oil and gas industries for public health protection: “Methane gas is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its warming power as a greenhouse gas. Methane has been shown to leak into the atmosphere during every stage of the oil and gas production process." He added that climate change poses a health emergency affecting communities nationwide.
The statement also addressed upcoming votes concerning Department of Energy efficiency standards for tankless water heaters: “Making appliances more efficient is a simple way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor and outdoor air quality, and help families save money on electricity bills.” According to estimates by the Department of Energy, improving appliance energy efficiency could cut 2.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases over three decades while saving consumers nearly $1 trillion.
Wimmer urged Congress against passing resolutions that would dismantle these protective measures: “The American Lung Association urges Congress to vote no on Congressional Review Act Resolutions of Disapproval to overturn these health-protective safeguards.”
