Twenty AGs Filed Motion to Intervene Defending EPA’s Methane Rule

MARCH 18, 2024

California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a motion to intervene defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule that would significantly decrease methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. In their motion, the AGs explained that because the rule is expected to prevent millions of tons of harmful air pollutants by 2038—including a 58 million ton reduction in methane emissions—their states will be significantly harmed if the rule is vacated. Additionally, the AGs argued that their states’ interests in this case—“protecting state lands, infrastructure, and resources from climate change”—are distinct from EPA’s interests, and that the states must intervene for their interests to be adequately represented. The AGs argued that because they meet all the standing requirements, the court should grant them intervention in this case.