Statement on proposal to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas

Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for issuing a proposal to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas facilities by improving standards and adding requirements.

“We have an obligation to future generations to leave our environment better than we found it and for far too long, oil and gas companies have been allowed to pollute our communities and public lands. We applaud President Biden and Administrator Regan for their strong leadership on this issue and for standing up for Hispanic communities by taking action to reduce methane pollution. We are grateful to see the newly proposed protections take a critical step forward by requiring inspections at small wells with leaky equipment. We also support efforts to cut pollution from the wasteful practice of routine flaring. However, the EPA should strengthen the flaring protections to fully eliminate pollution from routine flaring in the final rule and ensure we are responsible stewards of our natural resources and public lands,” says Camila Simon, HECHO’s Executive Director.

Finding solutions to the climate crisis, the broken federal oil and gas leasing program, and additional investments in our communities in a compound way begins with accountability.