Reader: Better Regulation Needed After Release of Methane Gas by the Oxford Compressor Station

By Joseph Wasserman

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection must more closely regulate the Oxford Compressor Station in light of the recent breakdown that resulted in a rapid release of methane gas. The public needs continued and close monitoring of all pollutants being emitted by this facility, so as to protect air quality and the health of the residents living adjacent to the Oxford Compressor Station and in the surrounding region.

Enbridge must do more to protect the air quality and the well being of children, the elderly and the vulnerable who must breath air being polluted by this facility. Data must not be averaged out by the hour, to avoid transparency as to whether Enbridge is abiding by air qualty standards. Enbridge also must be more transparent with the public as to the cause of the breakdown resulting in the contamination of the air with large amounts of methane.

Methane is a powerful green house gas that is being released by compressor stations like the one at Oxford, at a time of accelerated climate change. We must demand a rapid transition to wind and solar power, along with closer monitoring and phase out of fracked gas compressor stations and related infrastructure.