Action 1: Submit public comment on proposed rule and voice your concerns on open regulatory issue: Methane Rule Rollback by December 17, 2018 by 11:59 pm ET. Click HERE to go to regulations.gov for details and the proposed rule summary, and click HERE to go to the online comment form.

Comments should be your own. However, you can draw on these talking points, but put them in your own words:

• A recent study published in the journal Science found that the US oil and gas industry emits 13 million metric tons of methane from its operations each year—nearly 60 percent more than currently estimated by the EPA.
• The EPA standards in place right now will reduce emissions from over 36,000 wells all around the country, including cutting 21,635 tons of methane, around 6,000 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 450,000 pounds of toxic air pollutants, each year.
• EPA must continue to require operators to use proven, cost-effective technologies and practices to prevent harmful air pollution from oil and gas sites instead of putting polluter profits ahead of the health of our families and future generations.
• Methane poses a grave danger to our planet. It has over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide, making it a significant driver of climate change.
• Industry is already committed to reducing emissions. In May, ExxonMobil committed to reducing methane emissions by 15 percent and flaring by 25 percent by 2020. A subsidiary announced an enhanced leak detection and repair program.

 

Action 2:  Ask questions of members of the 116th Congress! Encourage bipartisanship!

The recent midterm elections holds opportunities and setbacks for Congress to pursue policies to address the impact of climate change. There are new members with scientific background, and some members campaigned on a climate platforms, which may bring some attention and hope to address the issue.

 

But the election also resulted in setbacks to bipartisanship on climate change in the House. The House Climate Solutions Caucus will only see 21 of its 45 Republican members return in the 116th Congress.

Early next year, the UUSJ Capitol Hill Advocacy Corps will introduce UUSJ and our issues to the staff of new members of Congress and those in new leadership positions. We ask that you contact members of the 116th Congress to let them know of your concerns and identify yourself as a concerned UU.

 

See the UUSJ’s Guide to Candidate Questions HERE for questions to now ask our elected officials. Here is a partial list of environmental and climate justice questions:

• Based on an urgent climate warning from both the United Nations (IPCC) and US scientists, what policies will you support to avert catastrophes?
• How will you ensure that we all have access to clean and affordable water, and clean air for generations to come?
• Based on planned withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, how should the US be involved in international efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change?
• Based on the growing demand for renewable energy, what role should US policy play to advance solar, wind, and geothermal?
• How will you ensure transportation fuel economy standards are increased every year?

See the full list and complete questions with UU perspectives HERE.

Find your 115th U.S. Congress Member of Congress:

U.S. Senators—Get contact information for your Senators in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Representatives—Find the website and contact information for your Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Thank you for all you do.