Lamb-Led Restoration of Methane Standards Heads to President's Desk

Press Release

Today, the House passed S.J.Res. 14, led by Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17), Diana DeGette (CO-1) and Scott Peters (CA-52) in the House, to restore commonsense energy regulations and environmental protections that limit methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry. S.J.Res. 14, a Joint Resolution under the Congressional Review Act, reverses the Trump Administration's Methane Pollution Standards for new and modified oil and gas facilities. The resolution passed the Senate on April 28. This legislation passed the House today with bipartisan support and now heads to the President's desk for his signature.

The legislation requires energy companies to reinstate limits on methane leaks in the production, storage and transmission of oil and natural gas. The Trump Administration eliminated these standards and protections. A greenhouse gas that contributes to significant global warming, methane is dozens of times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a shorter time span. The move is supported by many in the energy industry as well as environmentalists.

"Restoring these commonsense regulations will ensure we can safely develop our natural resources and protect energy jobs for decades to come" said Lamb. "Business leaders and environmentalists agree -- this is a necessary and responsible step to protecting our planet and jobs."

Lamb has consistently opposed the EPA rollback of methane standards. He urged then-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wheeler in a 2019 hearing to stop this harmful action, explaining it would hurt the industry, workers and the climate. In 2020 Lamb led a bipartisan effort to prohibit the EPA from finalizing the rollback that passed the House in July of 2020.

"Western Pennsylvania is a proven leader in the research and development of new energy technologies, and we know that energy jobs and environmental protection go hand-and-hand. I urge the President to sign this legislation as quickly as possible," said Lamb.

The Congressional Review Act was enacted in 1996. It gives Congress 60 legislative days to overturn a final rule once it is submitted to Congress. Under the CRA, a joint disapproval resolution must be passed by both the House and the Senate and signed by the President.

Visit Lamb's website to see him speak on the floor in support of S.J.Res. 14, or click here to view a copy of the House resolution. For a list of companies and organizations supporting this legislation click here.

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