Christopher Hudson House District 9 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the first nationwide regulations to limit methane emissions from new and modified sources in the oil and gas sector. The standards aim to cut 460,000 metric tons of methane pollution annually by 2025, equivalent to the output of 11 coal-fired power plants, and save $100 million per year on costs associated with methane and toxic air pollution.
Katee McClure, Aztec city commissioner, commented on the importance of these measures: "As a city commissioner, but more essentially as a human being, I’m speaking out in favor of accountability, not against oil and gas. I live in the Four Corners area, where the nation’s largest methane cloud is... We can capture the gas and plug the leaks."
In New Mexico alone, oil and gas operators reported releasing nearly 200,000 metric tons of methane in 2014. This amount equates to burning four coal-fired power plants for a year or driving over 3.5 million cars for a year.
Chelsey Evans from Moms Clean Air Force stated that this step is crucial for protecting communities: "Oil and gas companies are releasing millions of tons of methane pollution into our air... Our children have been footing the bill for this pollution with their health."
The new regulations are part of broader efforts by the Administration to reduce methane emissions by 40-45% by 2025. These rules will also support technological development within New Mexico's economy as noted by Glenn Schiffbauer from the Green Chamber of Commerce: "There are companies that help develop technology to capture methane... Both BLM and EPA rules will help develop this technology economy in New Mexico."
Carol Davis from Diné Care highlighted concerns about ongoing operations: “Oil and gas operations have been soliciting more leases throughout the Four Corners area... This rule helps industry be a better neighbor.”
Sug McNall from Aztec emphasized local impacts: “I live in the city of Aztec, NM. Our house and neighborhood are surrounded on all sides by 15 or more gas wells that affect us.”
Contacts for further information include Chelsey Evans (Moms Clean Air Force), Daniel Tso (Former Navajo Council Delegate), Sug McNall (Aztec), Carol Davis (Diné Care), Glenn Shiffbauer (Green Chamber of Commerce), and Katee McClure (Aztec City Commissioner).
