Just before the 2025 Thanksgiving Holiday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delayed the enforcement of the 2024 EPA methane rule which poses serious and immediate risks to the health of our communities, particularly affecting our children and expectant mothers. The EPA is giving states until January 2027, instead of March 2026, to create plans for reducing methane emissions from oil and gas industries. Also, a program that allows outside groups to report major methane leaks is delayed until January 2027. This postponement of critical environmental protections jeopardizes the air quality that so many of us depend on, allowing harmful methane emissions to continue unchecked for over a year.

Air pollution, including emissions from the oil and gas sector, has been linked to debilitating health issues such as asthma, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular problems. Children are especially vulnerable, as their developing lungs are more susceptible to the damaging effects of smog and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, lead to lost school days, and contribute to lifelong health complications.

“The health of our children and families should not be compromised; safeguarding our air is paramount for their future. The ramifications of delays of the methane rule extend far beyond current health concerns—they threaten the wellbeing of future generations.” —LaTricea D. Adams, Founder and CEO of Young, Gifted & Green

The delay in implementing commonsense protections undermines decades of progress in achieving cleaner air. Research shows that timely enforcement of safety standards could prevent up to 97,000 asthma episodes annually and avert thousands of premature deaths. Delaying these vital regulations not only endangers public health but also diminishes trust in our regulatory systems.

The EPA’s job is to prioritize and protect the health of our families and the environments where we live, work, play, and pray. It is critical to recognize that the most vulnerable among us, children, pregnant women, seniors, and those with preexisting health conditions, will bear the brunt of this regulatory inaction. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to clean, safe air. The implications of failing to act are profound, and we cannot afford to put the profits of the oil and gas industry above the health of our communities.