Press Release

Statement from the OEC in Response to the Finalization of the BLM Methane Standard Delay

David Miller, December 8, 2017

Columbus, OH — Yesterday, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the finalization of his 12-month delay of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Methane and Waste Prevention standard, designed to limit the wasteful venting and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public lands. This statement can be attributed in full, or in part to Melanie Houston, Director of Climate Programs at the Ohio Environmental Council:

“Secretary Zinke’s finalization of a delay of the methane rule until January 2019 ignores strong local and national support for curbing methane waste. With over 5,000 Ohioans participating in a virtual town hall about the BLM standards, the OEC worked to ensure that folks around Ohio had an opportunity to have their voices heard on this matter.

Secretary Zinke’s delay of the rule permits the oil and gas industry to continue recklessly wasting our shared natural resources, while contributing to dirtier air across the country, including Ohio.”