Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

Oct. 28th, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Milagros R. Elia

Program Manager, Climate and Clean Energy Advocacy

Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

milagros@envirn.org

914.455.1165

Nurses Condemn EPA Methane Rule Rollback

[Washington, D.C.]- On Oct. 27th, 2026, the U.S. EPA announced its proposal to rollback the landmark 2024 Methane Rule, removing requirements for oil and gas companies to monitor and detect leaks at both new and existing operations. The 2024 Methane Rule was developed with significant input from community leaders and advocates, the oil and gas industry, investors, health experts, and members of Congress. 

Methane pollution from oil and gas operations is released alongside other dangerous pollutants, such as smog-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can worsen asthma and respiratory disease, and known carcinogens, such as benzene and toluene. 

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can contribute to premature births and premature deaths. Ground-level ozone contributes to asthma attacks and aggravates other chronic lung diseases and pre-existing heart problems. 

In response to this latest EPA proposed rollback, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ Executive Director Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN issued the following statement:

“Rolling back the 2024 methane rule would compromise all of us. As nurses, many of our patients are in the estimated 17.3 million people and 3.9 million children across the country who live within half a mile of an oil and gas facility. Living near oil and gas wells is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, impaired lung function, asthmatic attacks, preterm birth and childhood leukemia. The commonsense approach required by the 2024 EPA methane rule was estimated to avoid up to 700 premature deaths and 73,000 childhood asthma attacks each year.

“The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) strongly condemns the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rollback of this health protective rule. Weakening methane safeguards undermines efforts to protect vulnerable populations, and  reverses efforts to reduce harmful emissions that accelerate climate change. ANHE calls on the EPA to abandon this proposal and ensure strong, enforceable methane standards are in place that hold polluters accountable.”

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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to support nurses in promoting planetary health and equity globally by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating planet-safe practice, and influencing policy.

http://enviRN.org

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