Help us Plug Dangerous Pipeline Leaks |

Help us Plug Dangerous Pipeline Leaks

Analysis shows that U.S. natural gas pipelines leak as much as 2.7 million tons of methane into our atmosphere each year. That’s the same impact as roughly 50 million passenger cars!

It’s unacceptable. But it’s also a problem we can fix. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has a proposal to help find and fix more leaks — but we need your help to get it across the finish line!

Sign our “Plug the Pipeline” petition and tell U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to finalize the Advanced Leak Detection & Repair Rule as soon as possible this summer.

Add Your Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

I'd like to receive email from Earthworks.

Country

Street Address

City

State or Province

Zip Code

Our Petition

To: Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

U.S. natural gas pipelines leak as much as 2.7 million tons of methane into our atmosphere each year. That’s the same impact as roughly 50 million passenger cars! It’s a big problem, but it’s one you can help fix by finalizing the Advanced Leak Detection & Repair Rule as soon as possible.

The Advanced Leak Detection and Repair Rule for pipelines and infrastructure would set protective standards requiring pipeline operators to better find, fix and monitor dangerous methane leaks commonly found in our natural gas pipelines. By implementing this rule, PHMSA would be better equipped to protect our climate and the safety and health of our communities — especially those disproportionately impacted by pipeline leaks.

Scientists have found that leak density on local distribution pipelines is 37% higher in neighborhoods with more people of color and lower household incomes - putting them at greater risk of explosions that are dangerous to people and property.

With protective standards for leak detection and repair, we can hold gas companies responsible, improve community safety and curb climate emissions at the same time! And PHMSA’s proposal is a big step in the right direction. If approved, the Advanced Leak Detection & Repair Rule will:

Require regular surveys and establish clear timelines for leak grading and repair that incorporate consideration of both public safety and environmental protection.
Ensure greater transparency and accountability by requiring more detailed reporting on leaks and large-volume gas releases.
Establish an Advanced Leak Detection Program technology standard to ensure that operators use commercially available advanced methane detection technologies to find and fix more leaks.
Extend the applicability of protective standards, including leak detection and repair requirements, to an additional ~70,000 miles of gas gathering pipelines.

Communities need and deserve protections now, and the bipartisan PIPES Act of 2020 directed PHMSA to finalize standards by December 2021. Unfortunately, the agency is well behind schedule and there is no time for further delay. By finalizing this rule you can take a much needed step to protect our communities and our climate from pipeline leaks. Please take swift action prioritizing these much-needed standards!

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME HERE]