Dear Secretary Buttigieg,
I am writing to ask that you support the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) in quickly completing the Advance Leak Detection and Repair Rulemaking. It is my belief that public safety means keeping the product in the pipeline, and this rule's requirements to monitor and repair pipeline systems and prevent emissions will provide substantial health, safety, and climate benefits.
This rule is an important recognition of the serious nature of leaks on natural gas pipelines. For too long, leaks and venting were considered operationally normal for gas pipelines, but we know more now about the serious health, safety, and climate impacts of methane emissions. It is also true that environmental justice communities experience the impacts of climate change and pipeline leaks at a disproportionate rate.
Beyond explosions and fires, which have killed or injured hundreds of people, emissions have been extremely detrimental to public health and climate. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas with 80 times the global warming power of carbon dioxide in its first 20 years. As such, the DOT should be expediting policy that mitigates further GHG emissions and protects our infrastructure, natural resources, and public health.
We have no time to waste, I ask that you please use all possible resources to ensure the swift finalization of this rule to protect my community.
Sincerely,
