Representative Scott Tipton and Senator Cory Gardner are set to vote “yay” or “nay” on overturning the new BLM Methane Rule, requiring methane recapture and leakage cleanup, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
The CRA is a dangerous tool to use to overturn any rule because it means that a similar rule can never be implemented...ever. If the CRA is used to de-regulate now, no similar regulation may ever be allowed in the future!
Colorado is a leader in the nation for cleaning up our air and protecting our environment. The BLM Methane Rule is based on Colorado’s policy, passed at the state level, and went into effect in 2014. Since then, it’s prevented leaks from hundreds of natural gas wells across Colorado, keeping methane in the pipes.
The rule does more than just limit leaks (and venting and flaring) of methane from public lands — it also limits all the other toxins that come out of the pipes when they leak, including harmful ozone-producing air pollutants.
I strongly request that both Scott Tipton and Cory Gardner vote no on the CRA vote and help maintain the common-sense BLM Methane Rule to protect the public from the proven health issues of methane and its production of ozone and other toxic chemicals.
You can call Senator Gardner’s D.C. office at (202) 224-5941 or in Durango at (970) 415-7416 and request a no vote for the CRA and yes to our health.
Fiona King
Cortez
