Anita Prizio and Erika Strassburger: Pa. stands to gain from methane reduction funding

The recent announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy regarding $850 million in federal funding for methane reduction projects marks a significant opportunity for Pennsylvania’s economy and environment. This investment, part of President Biden’s ambitious climate agenda, not only aims to cut methane emissions from oil and gas sectors but also promises substantial economic benefits, including creating thousands of jobs in our state.

Pennsylvania, as one of the nation’s largest producers of methane gas, will see direct benefits from these funds. The initiative will help small operators adopt advanced methane monitoring and mitigation technologies, ensuring compliance with new environmental standards while bolstering local economies with new job opportunities. According to a recent report, nearly 7,000 jobs will be created in Pennsylvania alone to detect and repair methane leaks at extraction and transportation sites. An additional 900 jobs will focus on plugging orphan and abandoned wells, particularly in Western Pennsylvania.

Assistant to Biden and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi rightly emphasizes that these investments are about environmental stewardship, creating thousands of union jobs and lowering energy costs for Americans. The funding will accelerate the repair of methane leaks from low-producing wells and deploy early-commercial technology solutions, enhancing our capacity to reduce emissions effectively.

The recent dispersal of $350 million to states for emissions reduction at marginal conventional wells demonstrates a targeted effort to address emissions at the source. Pennsylvania has already begun leveraging these funds to mitigate emissions from low-producing wells, underscoring the program’s adaptability and impact across diverse geographical and operational contexts.

Methane pollution from oil and gas development is released alongside other dangerous pollutants, which can worsen asthma, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease as well as toxic air pollutants such as benzene, which is known to cause cancer. More than 2 million Pennsylvania residents live near oil and gas production or transmission, and the new funding can accelerate methane mitigation projects here that will ensure the health and safety of our communities.

The state’s youngest residents are most impacted, with one out of every eight suffering from lifetime asthma. These are the direct impacts our neighbors are facing, but the increased costs in health and human services are borne by every Pennsylvania taxpayer.

Moreover, the initiative prioritizes community involvement and environmental justice, requiring applicants to submit community benefits plans that ensure meaningful engagement and tangible benefits for communities. For the first time, federal funding is supporting comprehensive methane monitoring projects focused on disadvantaged communities. This commitment aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, aiming for 40% of benefits from federal investments to reach disadvantaged communities burdened by pollution and underinvestment.

As local elected officials in Western Pennsylvania, we are encouraged by these proactive measures to reduce methane emissions while fostering economic growth and improving public health in the communities we serve and across the state. This funding not only supports our state’s transition to cleaner energy practices but also underscores Pennsylvania’s role in national efforts to combat climate change and build a more sustainable future for our constituents and future generations.

Anita Prizio, an Allegheny County Council member, and Erika Strassburger, a Pittsburgh City Council member, are founding members of Appalachian Leaders Network. ALN’s mission is to harness the power of elected officials to advance energy transition and clean air and water initiatives and strengthen election security in the Ohio River Valley region.