New Mexico is on track to have the weakest methane emissions regulations in the nation

The well-being of the natural world is central to the identity of the people of the Pueblo of Laguna and tribal people throughout New Mexico. Our ancestors came to Laguna generations ago when drought forced them to migrate from the Four Corners area. As we struggle with severe drought again today, connected to human-caused climate change, nothing is more important than protecting our climate, our air, our water, and our people.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D, has our complete support for her efforts to make New Mexico a national leader in combating oil and gas pollution. Now, we call on her environment and natural resources agencies — the New Mexico Environment Department and Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department — to help her step up to the challenge by enacting the most protective methane rules in the nation.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that, in the short term, is more than 80 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, because it absorbs more energy.

In New Mexico, oil and gas operations release more than 1 million metric tons of methane every year. With the Trump administration’s rollback of federal methane and other air pollution rules, it’s clear we need to act for the protection of our people.


https://www.hcn.org/articles/opinion-energy-industry-new-mexico-is-on-track-to-have-the-weakest-methane-emissions-regulations-in-the-nation