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US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

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Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Report: Ohioans Feel the Health Impacts of Oil, Gas Production

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Monday, June 26, 2023   

A new study underscored the urgent need for policies to drive down emissions from U.S. oil and gas production, showing the public health effects are costing billions of dollars.

The research estimated in 2016, in the U.S. alone, oil and gas-related pollution caused $77 billion in health damages, contributing to 7,500 early deaths and more than 400,000 asthma exacerbations. Ohio ranks fifth or sixth among states for pollution-related health concerns.

Peggy Berry, a member of the nonprofit Moms Clean Air Force in Ohio, said there is no question the study points to the need to curb emissions.

"In Ohio, you're selling off portions of the potential oil and gas reserves underneath our public parks," pointed out. "And we want to put that stuff in the air?"

The report is a joint project of the Environmental Defense Fund, Boston University, the University of North Carolina, and the group Physicians, Scientists and Engineers for Healthy Energy. The findings come as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing tougher regulations on methane emissions from oil and gas production. Supporters of the proposal argued it could deliver significant cuts in emissions, which would curb the related health problems.

The report cited gas production as one of the largest emitters of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Ohio is producing almost 30 times the amount of natural gas as it did in 2010, according to federal figures.

Berry noted Ohio's output is part of a global problem.

"Reducing the air pollution is essential in the entire world," Berry contended. "The other pollutants -- the volatile organic compounds, the methane, the carbon dioxide -- that we humans produce."

The researchers also pointed out the effects of oil and gas pollution extend beyond the regions where the wells are located, to states upwind.

Another report from last fall indicates flaring -- the process of burning off methane at well sites instead of capturing it -- is not as efficient as it needs to be to reduce methane pollution.


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