New Mexico ranchers are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to endorse tougher emissions regulations throughout the country to limit the number of harmful pollutants that are produced by oil and gas wells.

Rio Arriba County rancher Don Schreiber said he lives next to 122 active wells. He said his family has endured the toxic gases and pollutants from those wells for more than two decades. The closest well is only a quarter-mile from his home.

“It is easy to locate our ranch,” Schreiber told KRQE. “We are right underneath the infamous Four Corners’ methane hotspot, which was created by methane leaking and venting from wells. There are 122 wells just like this one on and around our small ranch. We are never out of the sight, the sound and smell of leaking and venting gas wells.”

Schreiber said he wants the EPA to take action, saying families pay daily for the impact of oil and gas in suffering health problems.  

“Faster identification of super emitters is vital, monitoring of abandoned wells is vital," he said. "But we need stronger flaring regulations and we need them now. We need stronger regulations for storage tanks and we need them now.”

Ranchers want oil and gas companies to do more to manage methane leaks by using infrared cameras, checking for leaks more frequently and repairing them faster. The EPA proposal to improve monitoring requirements would reduce gas emissions by over 80% by 2030.