NEWS ADVISORY
April 18, 2018
Contact: Susan Stephenson
(510) 444-4891
susan@interfaithpowerandlight.org
Rev. Richard Cizik (202) 253-6525
Native American and Faith Leaders to Deliver Letter to Secretary Zinke Opposing Rollback of BLM Methane Waste Standards
A group of Native American and national faith leaders will deliver a letter signed by more than 500 faith leaders calling on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke not to weaken BLM’s Methane and Waste Prevention Rule.
Methane that is leaked, vented, and flared on our shared public and tribal lands creates public health hazards, alters our climate, and wastes valuable natural gas. This letter was signed in response to the Trump administration’s recent suspension of this critical environmental safeguard.
Who: Clergy and Native American Leaders from North Dakota, including:
Lisa DeVille, citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation located on Fort Berthold
Indian Reservation in western North Dakota, and member of ND Resource Council
Rev. Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches
Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, Justice and Peace Policy Fellow, United Church of Christ
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Avery Davis Lamb, Program Manager, Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA)
Rev. Richard Cizik, Interfaith Power & Light Government Affairs Representative
What: Delivery of letter signed by over 500 faith leaders from 40 states to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke opposing any weakening the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Methane and Waste Prevention Rule.
When: 1:00 PM Thursday April 19, Gather and Deliver letter as group to Secretary’s office
1:15 PM Thursday, April 19, Brief comments in front of building
Where: U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C. Street NW (just off Constitution Ave.)
Washington, DC
Why: People of faith stand with front line communities including Native Americans in North Dakota suffering from the impacts of methane leakage, venting, and flaring from oil and gas operations on our public and tribal lands. We oppose any rollback of the rules to limit methane emissions. Limiting methane emissions will help clean our air by preventing leaks from oil and gas operations and reducing volatile organic compounds that contribute to health problems like asthma.
