DeGette statement on White House Methane Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The top Democrat on the House Energy, Climate and Grid Security subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), released the following statement after speaking at the White House’s first-ever Methane Summit, which was convened today to address the urgent need to dramatically reduce the nation’s methane emissions:

“I was honored to take part in the White House’s first-ever Methane Summit to help address the urgent need to lower our nation’s methane emissions. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases on the planet and climate experts agree that it is a leading driver of the climate crisis.

“If we are going to get serious about solving the climate crisis, we must take steps now to cut our methane emissions. We need to expand the use of advanced technologies to detect and prevent leaks along the entire supply chain; plug the thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells that are located around the country; and eliminate the practice of routine flaring at drilling sites across the U.S.

“Every one of us has a responsibility to do what we can to combat the climate crisis. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration and all those involved in today’s summit to implement the common-sense solutions that were discussed and eventually eliminate these harmful emissions once and for all.”