Methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near term, heats the planet at an accelerated rate. This warming contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, that is harmful to our environment and human health.
Research by the Appalachian Mountain Club shows that hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are especially vulnerable because ozone often accumulates at high elevations such as mountain summits, where air pollution transported by wind can build up.
Also, hikers breathe in air more deeply, thereby increasing their exposure. Think about it: Who among us hasn’t at some point gotten winded while hiking or biking? What was the air quality like on that day?
Of even greater concern is the next generation of hikers who are being exposed to poor air quality.
Pennsylvania already has the third highest rate of childhood asthma in the nation, turning an afternoon ramble on the storied Appalachian Trail just west of the Lehigh Valley into a struggle for far too many children. This is not the future they deserve.
Again, methane contributes to warming and increased smog. Sites in natural gas drilling regions emit air toxics, ozone precursors, as well as climate-disrupting methane. Air pollution travels, so pollution generated in these regions can easily make its way to those of us all along the eastern seaboard.
Addressing these natural gas drilling sources can improve our health and the climate.
We believe it’s critical to protect our natural resources and ensure that the outdoors can be enjoyed by all — these spaces are centrally important to the lives of many, especially right now. Key to that, as outlined in our climate and energy policy, is the understanding that natural gas’s benefits are undermined if the industry is not appropriately regulated.
Recent studies show that emissions of methane — essentially natural gas –— are consistently being under-reported to the state of Pennsylvania and actually exceed over 1.1 million tons. That’s especially concerning given that the actual emissions and leaks from oil and gas infrastructure carry double the climate impact of all the cars on Pennsylvania’s roads combined.
President Biden is mindful of the challenge that these emissions pose and called out the regulation of methane as one of the highest priorities in his day one executive order on climate. Pennsylvania is ahead of the game and leading the way on cutting these emissions, as is incumbent on the second-largest natural gas producing state in the U.S.
Gov. Tom Wolf has a rule on the table that would cut emissions of methane from oil and gas operations, but it currently excludes half of the million-plus annual emissions coming from low-producing wells. This would kneecap the regulation before it is even finalized, and it is critical that Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell strengthen the draft proposal to address all methane emissions from high-emitting, low-producing wells.
Similarly, the regulation needs to step up leak detection and repair so regular inspection of wells takes place even on wells that haven’t shown a previous leak, as uncontrolled leaks can happen at any time. With these guardrails in place, the DEP can put forward a truly protective and comprehensive pollution rule.
While a transition to a clean energy future is coming and will ease the path of those eager to enjoy the outdoors without fear of harm, we cannot simply afford to wait for that day or believe that there isn’t action we can take now.
There is much we can do, and must do, to help ensure the enjoyment and understanding of our natural world.
Moving smartly and swiftly to enact methane regulations in Pennsylvania will show the nation and the world that the Keystone state is willing to lead on the pressing crisis of our time.
Appalachian Mountain Club’s 400,000 members, advocates and supporters from D.C. to Maine stand ready to support these critical measures.
Kimberly Witt is mid-Atlantic policy manager for the Appalachian Mountain Club.