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Heinrich Applauds Strong Final EPA Methane Rules

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the C0-Founder and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, released the following statement welcoming the announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its methane emissions and pollution standards.

"The EPA is restoring responsible controls on methane pollution – a leading contributor to climate change – and protecting the health of our communities,” said Heinrich. “Finalizing these strengthened methane standards at the EPA is one of the most powerful steps that we can take to slow climate change and make the air cleaner for children and seniors. I’m grateful to the EPA for heeding our calls to get this done."

Background:  

  • Heinrich has spent decades working to build a clean energy economy. He is fighting for investments to help communities confront the climate crisis head on, move the clean energy transition forward, and power New Mexico’s economy.
  • In February, Heinrich led a group of 76 members in the House and Senate in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting stronger standards to reduce methane emissions and pollution from oil and natural gas operations.
  • In January 2022, Heinrich joined more than 190 congressional Democrats in submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting EPA’s broad authority under the Clean Air Act to protect the public from harmful pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address the climate crisis.
  • In June 2022, Heinrich released a statement after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in the West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) case, which narrows the EPA’s authority to address climate pollution.
  • Heinrich championed into law a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which nullifies the Trump administration’s 2020 Methane Rescission Rule and reinstates U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for methane emissions from the oil and gas industry and the regulation of air pollution from transmission and storage facilities.