FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2025
CONTACT: Meisei Gonzalez, Climate Justice & Clean Air Advocate: Meiseigonzalez@greenlatinos.org
Washington, D.C. — In a move that prioritizes corporate polluters over public health, lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to dismantle the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s waste emissions charge. This fee is a commonsense policy designed to reduce methane pollution, reduce waste, and protect frontline communities from toxic emissions.
Methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term, is released alongside hazardous pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and benzene. These contribute to respiratory disease and increased cancer risk. Over 10.1 million people, disproportionately Latine, Black, and low-income communities, live within half a mile of active oil and gas operations, facing increased health threats from unchecked emissions.
The waste emissions charge only applies to the worst polluters, incentivizing oil and gas operators to cut emissions. Despite its clear benefits, members of Congress are pushing to undo this critical rulemaking, endangering public health and slowing climate progress.
GreenLatinos Leaders Condemn the Attack on Methane Protections
Irene Burga, Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Director at GreenLatinos
“Latine communities have long been on the frontlines of the climate crisis, forced to breathe toxic air while oil and gas giants rake in record profits. The methane fee is a critical measure that holds the worst polluters accountable—cutting waste, protecting public health, and creating jobs. Yet members of Congress are trying to dismantle this vital safeguard, putting corporate greed over the lives of our families. Over 10.1 million people, including 645,400 children under five, live near oil and gas sites and are exposed to dangerous pollution daily. We refuse to be sacrificed for profit. Congress must choose: Stand with our communities for clean air and a healthy environment, or be remembered for siding with polluters at our expense.”
Rogelio Meixueiro - Texas Community Advocate, GreenLatinos
“Tackling methane pollution is the most urgent action we must take to protect Texas communities. Latino families, especially those living near oil and gas operations in places like East Texas and the Permian Basin, face daily exposure to toxic emissions from flares and leaks. This pollution increases their risk of respiratory illness, cancer, and other severe health conditions. Only the largest oil and gas methane polluters pay the Waste Emissions Charge, a commonsense fee that holds them accountable. Efforts to repeal this crucial charge would only harm Texas taxpayers, consumers, families, and energy markets. Congress must reject any attempt to weaken these protections and instead strengthen regulations that safeguard the health of our children and the well-being of our neighborhoods.”
Carlos Matutes- New Mexico Community Advocate, GreenLatinos
“New Mexico has been considered a ‘sacrifice zone’ in order to benefit extractive industries. Our people are deserving of protection from the damage to our beautiful environment that these industries bring in order to create more shareholder value and profit for the wealthy. The extreme wildfires, increasing ozone pollution, and a panoply of health issues are all exacerbated by methane, and much of our state's methane emissions come from the massive oil and gas production in the Permian Basin. The Waste Emission Charge encourages producers to protect our communities, our children, our elders, and our way of life.”
Patricia Garcia-Nelson, Colorado Fossil Fuel Just Transition Advocate
“We are disappointed to see this attempt to repeal the Waste Emission Charge, an essential tool for protecting Colorado’s air, economy, and communities. Fugitive emissions don’t just harm our environment—they come at a cost to both local residents and businesses. For Latino communities in Colorado, who have long borne the burden of methane pollution, this fee represents a rare win-win. It holds operators accountable, incentivizing them to repair leaks and capture lost gas, all while creating jobs and ensuring a safer, healthier future for everyone. This charge is entirely avoidable—companies have already committed to reducing emissions. We urge Congress to stand with Colorado and keep this vital protection in place..”
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About GreenLatinos
GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.
GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.