Washington, D.C. – Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced steps to reduce harmful methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.  These actions will help the U.S. meet President Obama’s goal of cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40-45% by 2025. 

Senator Boxer said: “Methane emissions are a potent source of climate pollution, and the recent leak at the Aliso Canyon facility also underscores the need to address these harmful emissions.  The EPA actions announced today are an important step forward in our fight to avert the worst impacts of dangerous climate change. They will also help protect the health of our children and families, because pollution from the oil and gas industry can trigger asthma attacks in children, cause cancer, and even contribute to premature death.” 

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