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Millions under threat of strong tornadoes and violent winds as storm danger increases Friday; Expanded Clean Slate laws in NC, US could improve public safety; TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds; Head Start supports WA parents, celebrates 60 years.

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Omaha elects its first Black mayor, U.S. Supreme Court considers whether lower courts can prevent Trump administration's removal of birthright citizenship, and half of states consider their own citizenship requirements for voter registration.

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Millions of rural Americans would lose programs meant to help them buy a home under the Trump administration's draft 2026 budget, independent medical practices and physicians in rural America are becoming rare, and gravity-fed acequias are a centerpiece of democratic governance in New Mexico.

PA Pushback on EPA Plan to Eliminate Methane Regulations

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Tuesday, September 3, 2019   

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Environmental groups say the latest deregulation proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency would be devastating for the health of Pennsylvanians and the future of the planet. Late last week, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler released a proposal to eliminate direct regulation of methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas facilities.

According to Mollie Michel, Southeast Pennsylvania field consultant with Moms Clean Air Force, that would endanger the health of vulnerable populations, like children and older adults, as more ozone-forming compounds escape into the air.

"The EPA has become almost an arm of the oil and gas industry, protecting them over public health and the environment,” Michel sail

The EPA said the proposal is in line with President Donald Trump's directive to eliminate rules that unduly burden energy development beyond what is necessary to protect the public.

Experts estimate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, accounts for 25% of the global climate change happening now. Michel pointed out that as the second-largest methane-producing state, Pennsylvania needs to step in where the EPA is backing off.

"We're looking toward Gov. Wolf to show his leadership on the state level and enact strong methane controls from existing sources of this dangerous pollution across the Commonwealth,” she said.

In April, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released draft rules for controlling emissions from existing oil and gas facilities - but critics say they don't go far enough.

Michel noted the new EPA proposal must be published in the Federal Register, which will trigger a public-comment period before it can go into effect.

"The minute that 60-day public-comment period opens up, we'll be asking individuals in Pennsylvania and across the country to put their comments in, so that at least our voices are being heard,” Michel said.

More information is available at EDF.org.


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