Recently, some members of Congress tried to give the oil and gas industry a free pass to waste taxpayer dollars and energy resources, through dangerous leaks in methane from oil and gas operations. Fortunately for Maine, however, Sen. Susan Collins took a stand against her party and their dirty energy agenda, and voted against attempts to gut standards that limit the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution and waste.

Natural gas on federal lands belongs to all American taxpayers. Americans deserve a share of the royalties on those resources, half of which should be allocated to help pay for local education and infrastructure. Despite this, companies waste nearly $330 million a year through venting and flaring – enough to power about 5 million homes a year.

It is unacceptable for American tax dollars to be used to clean up after giant corporations, and we thank Sen. Collins for siding with Mainers instead of wealthy CEOs.

Saif Pratt

Portland