Oil and Gas Air Emissions Cuts Required Under Pennsylvania Rule

Methane emissions and other air pollution from conventional oil and gas sources in Pennsylvania will be reduced under an emergency regulation the state Environmental Quality Board passed on Wednesday, beating a deadline for access to federal highway funds.

The rule, passed 16-2, will cut air pollution from volatile organic compounds and methane emissions that contribute to climate change from conventional oil and gas operations. VOCs are precursors to ground-level ozone, a public health and environmental hazard.

The measure had to be passed by Dec. 16 to comply with federal requirements for highway funding. Missing the deadline would have cost ...