In separate letters, two groups called on EPA to regulate methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The October 9, 2014 request came from a coalition of investors, including Trillium Asset Management, LLC and Mercy Health, with more than $300 billion in assets. In calling for "robust" regulations, the coalition cited four justifications: (i) methane emissions are a serious climate problem; (ii) there are proven, cost-effective solutions that will dramatically cut emissions; (iii) insufficiency of voluntary initiatives and state-level action; and (iv) methane policy can reduce risk and create value for investors and the economy. The October 10, 2014 request came from BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership of 15 of the country's largest unions and environmental groups. In calling for national regulations, the Alliance stated that proven, low-cost technologies exist that could eliminate half of all methane emissions from onshore oil and gas operations in the next five years.

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