Air quality in Bucks County has gotten much worse in recent years. When my wife and I go hiking in Peace Valley Park or at Pine Run Reservoir, we have noticed more bad air days, especially in the summer.
According to the American Lung Association, Bucks County had 16 Orange Ozone Days in 2023, during which air quality was so poor that we were told not to go outside. And with summer approaching, days of extreme heat are on the way, which will bring more orange and red air quality warnings across the region.
Oil and gas activities release air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds, which contribute to ground-level ozone or smog that can worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma or emphysema and damage the lining of the lungs. They also emit methane, which contributes to climate change. Higher summer temperatures cause even more ozone pollution that harms our health.
There is a solution available to reduce pollution in the region and protect our health. The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a standard to combat methane pollution from oil and gas operations. Reducing methane is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to clean our air, reduce climate pollution and protect our health.
Pennsylvania must act quickly to implement a smart plan that meets the needs of the Commonwealth and will reduce methane pollution and improve our health. Perhaps with strong methane protections, Bucks County can finally have cleaner air.
Paul Weinstein, Borough of Doylestown.
This article originally appeared in Bucks County Courier Times: Reduce methane pollution to clean our air and protect our health
