Pennsylvania environmental groups want to see a new rule implemented to improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines.
The Keystone State has over 94,000 miles of pipelines used to transport natural gas.
Rachel Meyer - Ohio River Valley field organizer with the group Moms Clean Air Force - said it's important that the rule be finalized, to improve safety, and reduce climate-harming methane emissions.
She added that these pipelines can leak and pose a safety risk to nearby communities.
"When it leaks from pipelines, natural gas contributes to the climate crisis by releasing the potent greenhouse gas methane," said Meyer. "Natural gas is composed primarily of methane. Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the first 20 years it's in the atmosphere."
Meyer pointed out a recent analysis by the Environmental Defense Fund found gas pipelines nationwide are leaking as much as 2.6 million tons of methane each year, which has the same climate impact as nearly 50 million passenger cars being driven for a year.
The industry argues new regulations would increase costs.
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Photo Credit: transcanada-pipeline-flickr-maureen
Categories: Pennsylvania, Energy