(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) joined Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-1) and Scott Peters (CA-52) to announce their plan to strengthen methane emission standards for the oil and gas industry, overturning a Trump administration rule that weakened or even eliminated limitations on methane and volatile organic compound emissions.  They will introduce a Resolution of Disapproval this week under the Congressional Review Act, which would negate the Trump administration’s rule and reinstate stronger standards. The resolution requires only a simple majority of the House and Senate and is not subject to Senate filibuster rules.

The Trump administration rule was opposed by environmental groups, workers, and prominent oil and gas companies alike, because leaking methane is both wasteful and destructive.  Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, and the oil and gas industry is the largest emitter of methane in the United States.  About 25% of human-caused global warming to date can be attributed to methane emissions, and co-located methane and VOC emissions exacerbate the already large air quality and human health impacts of fossil fuel development on frontline communities, creating climate-related health effects for the most vulnerable including children and the elderly.

“We know that methane is a huge contributor to climate change and air pollution, and we can do something about that at the same time we protect jobs and support responsible energy production,” said Lamb.  “We can set real, reasonable, enforceable rules with this resolution and get back to common sense.”

“Time is of the essence in this fight to combat the climate crisis,” said DeGette.  “If we’re serious about wanting to stave off the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, then we absolutely have to take steps now to reduce the amount of methane that’s being released into our atmosphere.”

“The Trump Administration’s decision to rollback methane standards hurt our communities and the planet.  Methane and other super pollutants are more harmful than carbon dioxide and cause some of the greatest damage to our environment,” said Peters.  “The resolution we plan to introduce underlines the EPA’s existing authority to regulate methane emissions – a critical and immediate step to tackle the climate crisis.”

The Congressional Review Act gives Congress the power to review and, if necessary, disapprove of certain federal regulations.  Unlike other legislation, a Resolution of Disapproval seeking to negate a federal agency rule needs only a simple majority in each chamber to be approved.

If approved, the resolution would invalidate the Trump administration’s 2020 Methane Rescission Rule that has weakened, and in some cases eliminated altogether, requirements that oil and natural gas companies limit methane and volatile organic compound emissions from their operations.

This effort builds off a bipartisan letter that Lamb led in 2020 that would have prohibited the Trump Administration from finalizing its rule.  Lamb also questioned former EPA Administrator Wheeler about the agency’s rulemaking at that time and emphasized his opposition to its rollback at a House Science, Space & Technology Committee hearing in September 2019.

An identical resolution was introduced in the Senate today by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (NM).

Click here to see the full resolution.

US jobless claims fall to 684,000, fewest since pandemic
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell from 781,000 the week before. It is the first time that weekly applications for jobless aid have fallen below 700,000 since mid-March of 2020. Before the pandemic tore through the economy, applications had never topped that level.

Gas drilling firms defeat Pennsylvania’s antitrust lawsuit
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court has delivered a victory for natural gas exploration firms by ruling that the state attorney general’s office doesn’t have authority to sue them on antitrust grounds over their mineral rights-leasing practices. The state Supreme Court said in a 6-1 decision late Wednesday that state consumer protection law doesn’t allow sellers to take action against buyers. The attorney general’s office sued in 2015. It accused Anadarko Petroleum of Texas and Chesapeake Energy of Oklahoma City of eliminating competition and shortchanging landowners of signing bonuses and royalties. Anadarko had argued that it wasn’t selling services, but rather buying mineral rights in land leases.

(Rochester, Pa.) The Rochester Police Department is reporting via their Facebook Page that Street sweeping will begin in the Borough on Monday April 5, 2021.
During that week they state they will issue courtesy warning tags and
parking tickets will be issued starting on Monday April 12, 2021. Police are asking residents to please refer to the street signs on your block to know which morning your street will be cleaned. If there are no signs or they are unreadable, please contact the borough office at 724-775-1200.

HARRISBURG – Veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard who own their own business could have a valuable new marketing tool under a bill approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week.

Senate Bill 455, sponsored by Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46), would authorize the creation of special logos to promote veteran-owned businesses. The proposal mirrors a successful program currently being utilized in the state of Wisconsin.

Bartolotta said the bill would help create new opportunities for members of Pennsylvania communities to support the brave men and women who have served in the military at a time when that support is desperately needed.

“There is an eagerness in our communities to support the businesses our heroes create when they return to civilian life,” Bartolotta said. “Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of our veterans and servicemembers not only shows our thanks, but also helps the economy by supporting new jobs and business opportunities at a time when they are needed most.”

The bill also includes protections against using the logo fraudulently to ensure that an individual who falsely holds him or herself out to be a veteran for the purpose of obtaining this designation would be held accountable.

The bill was sent to the full Senate for consideration.