Dear John,

To protect our natural resources, the health of our air, and our climate’s future, we need to slash methane waste in all forms. That’s why we applaud Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration for taking an important first step to combat methane waste from oil and gas production on public lands.

Under a new rule proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), routine venting and flaring would be heavily scrutinized — encouraging oil and gas producers to capture and sell methane gas in an effort to reduce waste. 

Minimizing waste may be a good start, but preventing it all together is better. Send a powerful message and urge the Bureau of Land Management to take the next step by setting clear requirements to eliminate waste caused by venting and flaring.

Flaring, or the burning of extra natural gas at oil wells, is a common and wasteful step in the oil and gas drilling process — one that also releases billions of cubic feet of methane pollution into the atmosphere. Curbing waste at this critical juncture could help safeguard our natural resources and lessen the burden on our atmosphere.

BLM’s proposal is an important first step towards slashing methane waste from leaks, venting and flaring — tackling an issue that environmentalists and operators can agree on. By helping incentivise operators to capture, use or sell associated gas, BLM would conserve domestic energy resources and ensure taxpayers benefit from the development of publicly-owned minerals. However, we know they can do better. 

The Bureau of Land Management has the opportunity to include clear flaring and venting standards resembling those required in leading states like New Mexico and Colorado— a step that would prevent waste while limiting oil and gas production’s negative impact on the climate and protect the health of frontline communities.

Show your support for stronger methane waste regulations by submitting a public comment today!

Let’s fight for a cleaner future,

Wes Rogerson
Manager, Grassroots Organizing & Activism