Rep. Angelica Rubio House District 35 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales and 68 other mayors and county commissioners have addressed a letter to President Barack Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. The officials, including seven from New Mexico, are advocating for measures to address methane pollution from oil and gas industry sources. This initiative spans across 13 states and the District of Columbia, aiming to mitigate public health risks and climate change effects linked to methane emissions.
Mayor Gonzales stated, “For our children’s health, for our economy, and for our environment, it is important that we all work to ensure that we are venting less methane into New Mexico’s air. That’s why I support the EPA’s proposed rule.”
Alex Naranjo, Chairman of Rio Arriba Board of County Commission, emphasized the importance of efficient standards in oil and gas production: “It’s incumbent upon us, as responsible stewards of our land and natural resources, to insist on efficient baseline standards for oil & gas production that are consistent with currently available technologies and best management practices. I believe the new EPA & BLM rules move us in the right direction.”
The letter further highlights concerns over air pollution affecting one-third of Americans living near oil and gas developments. It calls for swift action by the EPA to control emissions from both new and existing sources. The officials argue that such regulations will safeguard public health against pollutants emitted by oil and gas infrastructure.
The effectiveness of state-level collaboration in Colorado was cited as evidence that reducing methane emissions can be achieved without economic detriment. The officials concluded their plea by asserting that “strong standards are needed to keep our air clean and our constituents healthy.”
Additional information on methane pollution is available at www.methanefacts.com. A related letter supporting BLM methane rules can be accessed online.
New Mexico signatories include Mayor Javier M. Gonzales (Santa Fe), County Commissioner Alex M. Naranjo (Rio Arriba County), County Commissioner Kathleen Holian (Santa Fe County), County Commissioner Miguel Chavez (Santa Fe County), County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley (Bernalillo County), County Commissioner Billy G. Garrett (Doña Ana County), and City Commissioner Katee McClure (Aztec).
