Dear John,

When a ship leaks the crew races to fix it. So why isn’t that the case with America’s pipelines? Studies show that U.S. natural gas pipelines leak as much as 2.7 million tons of methane into our atmosphere each year. That’s the same impact as roughly 50 million passenger cars!

It’s unacceptable. But it’s also a problem we can fix. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has a proposal that will help find and fix more leaks — but it’s already well behind schedule! That’s why we need to act fast and urge PHMSA to put their plan into action. 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg can lead and deliver on this win for climate and safety by directing his agency to finalize the rule this spring. Sign our “Plug the Pipeline” petition and show your support for stronger climate protections!

Natural gas pipelines are a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas more than 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide! Methane fuels extreme weather across the country by immediately trapping heat in the atmosphere. It’s a big problem, but also a big opportunity! Cutting methane emissions now is the best, most cost-effective way to slow the rate of climate change happening now. That’s why we need to act fast.

With protective standards for leak detection and repair, we can hold gas companies responsible, improve community safety and curb climate emissions at the same time! And PHMSA’s proposal is a big step in the right direction. If approved, the Advanced Leak Detection & Repair Rule will: 

1. Require regular surveys and establish clear timelines for leak grading and repair that incorporate consideration of both public safety and environmental protection.
2. Ensure greater transparency and accountability by requiring more detailed reporting on leaks and large-volume gas releases.
3. Establish an Advanced Leak Detection Program technology standard to ensure that operators use commercially available advanced methane detection technologies to find and fix more leaks.
4. Extend the applicability of protective standards, including leak detection and repair requirements, to an additional ~70,000 miles of gas gathering pipelines.

To meet our nation’s climate goals, and protect the health and safety of our communities, we need to take a stand against pipeline leaks! Sign our petition and tell Secretary Buttigieg to take immediate action.

Let's fight for a safer climate,

Wes Rogerson
Manager, Grassroots Organizing & Activism