Progress made in cutting methane pollution in Pennsylvania could be at risk as Congress considers legislation that would remove federal oversight of low-producing oil and gas wells.

The Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026 would exempt low-producing, marginal wells from federal oversight. In Pennsylvania, most of the state’s roughly 70,000 low-producing conventional wells are owned by midsize to large corporations.

Vanessa Lynch, a field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force in western Pennsylvania, said low-producing conventional wells make up more than half of the oil and gas pollution problem. She said they should not be shielded from responsibility.

“From climate-warming methane to co-pollutant health-harming volatile organic compounds, frontline communities like mine are depending on our leaders to protect the air our children breathe,” Lynch said.

Lynch said low-producing wells release toxic air pollutants such as benzene and toluene, which can trigger health problems including asthma attacks and heart disease.

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule in March 2024 to limit methane and other emissions from oil and gas activities. The agency estimated the rule would cut methane emissions by 80%.

Lynch said Pennsylvania’s federal lawmakers should oppose the bill, and state officials also could look for ways to regulate low-production wells.

“There are opportunities for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to act and to continue to create safeguards that reasonably ask marginal wells to clean up their pollution,” Lynch said.

Lynch, who lives in southwest Pennsylvania, said many communities in the region face health and air pollution concerns connected to the wells.

Nearly 1 in 10 Americans lives in a county with more than 1,000 low-producing wells, according to Lynch. She said the wells release methane, which can lead to explosions, worsen smog and trap more than 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide in the short term.

Source: Public News Service