3 things to watch as New Mexico begins hearing on new oil and gas air pollution rules

Under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico has actually made oil and gas air pollution and methane decreases a focus of regulative improvements, restoring enforcement teeth to the guvs Oil Conservation Division and settling a strong methane waste rule that prohibits routine venting and flaring earlier this year.These vital policy efforts will reach a climax beginning Monday, Sept. 20, as the states Environmental Improvement Board considers landmark brand-new guidelines proposed by the New Mexico Environment Department that have the possible to considerably cut contamination from the oil and gas market, tidy up the air and secure the health of regional communities.Here are three things to view as the EIB hearings unfold.1. The importance of frequent, thorough leakage evaluations. The science is clear. Leakages, irregular processes conditions (aka “super-emitters”) and other unintended emissions events are the leading reason for air contamination from oil and gas production websites in New Mexico. Regular, detailed, instrument-based assessments are the finest, most economical way to discover them rapidly and get them fixed.NMED deserves congratulations for standing strong on a thorough leak detection and repair program without exemptions. The department has actually proposed a program that ensures every well in the state will receive leakage assessments at least when a year, with bigger, possibly higher producing wells receiving quarterly or semiannual inspections. Such a tiered method lines up with what other leading states need and makes sure all wells in New Mexico would be inspected often. Now its up to the EIB to finish the job and complete a strong, thorough LDAR program without exemptions. 3 things to watch as New Mexico starts hearing on new oil and gas air pollution guidelines Click To Tweet2. Will key enhancements supported by market and supporters be included?Oil and gas pollution is taking a toll on all New Mexicans water, air and health, however rural communities, tribal communities, children and the senior are especially at risk.The American Lung Association gave New Mexicos top oil and gas producing counties– Lea, Eddy and San Juan Counties– an F grade for ozone in its 2021 State of the Air Report. Venting, flaring and leaks at oil and gas operations are a considerable source of ozone-forming VOCs. Well website toxins can trigger and aggravate breathing illness asthma attacks, and smog can get worse emphysema and effect the cardiovascular system.The great news is that the EIB has broad support, including the backing of Occidental Petroleum– one of the biggest oil and gas manufacturers in New Mexico– and a union of community and environmental groups including EDF, Western Environmental Law Center, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Dine C.A.R.E., NAVA EP and the Center for Civic Policy, to several key improvements to the draft guidelines. If embraced by the EIB, these improvements will much better safeguard frontline neighborhoods from pollution by guaranteeing wells closest to houses and schools get more frequent inspections, speeding up the switch to less-polluting zero-bleed pneumatic controllers and making sure that emissions during well completions and re-completions are captured.Meanwhile, NMEDs proposal has received strong recommendations from both the Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe New Mexican.The EIB has a clear, well-supported course prior to it to settling strong rules that protect New Mexicans from oil and gas pollution.3. Will the end product satisfy Gov. Lujan Grishams objective of nationally leading rules?While NMED has actually advanced a strong proposal, it will now be up to the EIB to ensure New Mexico completes rules that consist of the sort of improvements outlined above in order to satisfy Governor Lujan Grishams goal of enacting “the nations toughest methane and air pollution rules.”Getting these guidelines right is very important for New Mexico, where oil and gas emissions create unhealthy levels of ozone pollution and the oil and gas market is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. These rules will also set an essential marker for forthcoming methane safeguards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will apply to existing and brand-new oil and gas sources nationwide.We will be following this hearing closely and you can as well. Please think about joining us in supporting the greatest possible guidelines by affirming virtually and/or submitting a public remark.

Under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico has actually made oil and gas air pollution and methane reductions a focus of regulatory improvements, restoring enforcement teeth to the governors Oil Conservation Division and settling a strong methane waste guideline that bans routine venting and flaring earlier this year.These critical policy efforts will reach a climax beginning Monday, Sept. 20, as the states Environmental Improvement Board considers landmark brand-new guidelines proposed by the New Mexico Environment Department that have the possible to significantly cut contamination from the oil and gas industry, clean up the air and safeguard the health of regional communities.Here are 3 things to watch as the EIB hearings unfold.1. Will key improvements supported by industry and advocates be included?Oil and gas contamination is taking a toll on all New Mexicans air, water and health, however rural communities, tribal communities, children and the senior are specifically at risk.The American Lung Association provided New Mexicos leading oil and gas producing counties– Lea, Eddy and San Juan Counties– an F grade for ozone in its 2021 State of the Air Report. Well site toxic substances can activate and aggravate respiratory illness asthma attacks, and smog can intensify emphysema and effect the cardiovascular system.The good news is that the EIB has broad support, consisting of the backing of Occidental Petroleum– one of the largest oil and gas producers in New Mexico– and a union of neighborhood and ecological groups including EDF, Western Environmental Law Center, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Dine C.A.R.E., NAVA EP and the Center for Civic Policy, to numerous essential enhancements to the draft guidelines.