U.S. Representative Diana DeGette introduced the Methane Waste and Prevention Act of 2019. The bill aims to reduce methane waste and pollution from oil and gas operations on public lands, protect taxpayers, safeguard public health, and mitigate climate change. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Deb Haaland are co-sponsors.

The legislation would formalize the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Methane Waste and Prevention Rule and the Environmental Protection Agency’s New Source Performance Standards finalized in 2016. It seeks to enhance safeguards against waste from development on public lands.

Local organizations expressed support for the bill:

Carol Davis, Coordinator at Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment, said: “Navajo communities in northwest New Mexico can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Representatives DeGette, Luján, Grijalva, Lowenthal, and Haaland just introduced strong and comprehensive legislation to protect them...”

James Jimenez, Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children, noted: “New Mexico has the dubious distinction of living under a methane cloud the size of Delaware... We support Reps. DeGette, Ben Ray Luján, and Deb Haaland’s work on strong and comprehensive methane standards...”

Glenn Schiffbauer from Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce commented: “Representative DeGette’s bill not only makes sense for the environment and people’s health but protects a valuable resource that belongs to all of us.”

Sister Joan Brown of New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light remarked: “Now is the time for moral leadership to protect our families’ health care for God’s creation...”

Barbara Webber from Health Action New Mexico stated: “Representative Diana DeGette’s bill is a crucial step forward in the fight to address the climate emergency...”

Erik Schlenker-Goodrich from Western Environmental Law Center said: “The Trump administration’s hostility toward urgently needed action to prevent methane pollution... We applaud the introduction of this bill...”

Jordan Smith at CAVU.org highlighted: “Regulation must evolve to reflect new realities... We applaud Representatives Diana DeGette, Ben Ray Luján and Deb Haaland for keeping operators accountable..."

Camilla Feibelman with Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter added: "Representatives DeGette, Luján and Haaland are standing up for job-creating, health-improving... If this legislation passes, the Trump EPA will finally be accountable..."