Cindy Nava Senate District 8 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
On June 15, a coalition of groups launched OilAndGasThreatMap.com, a new tool that maps the locations of 58,777 oil and gas facilities in New Mexico. The map also highlights populations, schools, and hospitals within a half-mile radius of these facilities.
Research indicates that living near oil and gas operations is linked to health issues such as fetal defects and respiratory problems. Camilla Feibelman, director of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, stated: “The oil and gas industry is recklessly leaking millions of tons of methane pollution and toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde & ethylbenzene into the air, harming our health and speeding climate disruption.” She described these leaks as "an invisible oil spill happening every day," which can have severe health impacts on nearby communities.
Dr. Mac Bowen highlighted that over 145,608 people in New Mexico live within a half-mile of oil and gas facilities with known negative health effects. He emphasized the need for urgent safeguards to protect public health from existing sources of methane and other pollutants. Dr. Bowen mentioned that while the Obama administration has finalized national standards for new sources of methane pollution from the oil and gas industry, there is still work to be done for existing sources.
The Oil and Gas Threat Map provides data on those living close to these facilities in New Mexico (with a total population at risk being 145,608) along with information about affected schools (89 in total). Although studies show health impacts at distances greater than half a mile, this distance was used conservatively where correlations are most evident. The map also includes data on cancer risks and respiratory health rates by county level. Users can input their address to check if they reside in a threat zone.
For more information or to access the map visit http://oilandgasthreatmap.com/threat-map/new-mexico/. A webinar for interested citizens will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 21. Registration details are available at http://www.riograndesierraclub.org/find-oil-gas-puts-family-risk/.
