Ad campaign raising awareness about methane pollution is airing across streaming platforms.
LAREDO, TX – Rio Grande International Study Center partnered with Commission Shift in an ad campaign calling out the harmful impacts of flaring at oil and gas sites. The campaign features Texans urging President Biden to strengthen rules surrounding routine flaring at oil wells. English and Spanish video ads were used across connected television platforms such as Hulu and YouTube and ran on news and information websites in July, August, and September.
Routine flaring occurs when an operator produces oil or gas condensates from a well without a use or destination for the associated natural gas that is produced, instead deciding to burn it off in a flare. In order to reduce methane pollution, protect public health, and stop the needless waste of energy resources, fast action against routine flaring is critical.
“The state’s oil and gas regulator, the Railroad Commission, has allowed oil and gas operators to flout flaring rules for years, to the detriment of the health and safety of our communities,” said Virginia Palacios, Executive Director of Commission Shift. “Our hope is that this ad campaign will raise awareness about irresponsible routine flaring at oil and gas sites and the need for strong federal rules to drive real change in Texas.”
“Pollution from oil and gas operations hurts communities and contributes to climate change, which is already impacting people across Texas, including in Laredo,” said Sheila Serna, Climate Science and Policy Director of Rio Grande International Study Center. “Texans need the Biden administration to step in and set strong standards to eliminate pollution from routine flaring.”
The EPA is expected to finalize rules to address oil and gas methane pollution later this fall.
