Media Contact:
Justin Wasser, 202-887-1872 x 136, jwasser@earthworks.org
Background: The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) released draft rules that would address air pollution from oil and gas operations. The announcement kicks-off a 30 day comment period.
Statement of Earthworks Energy Program Director Bruce Baizel:
“We welcome the speed with which Governor Lujan-Grisham is moving to address New Mexico’s dangerous oil and gas methane problem.
“Earthworks’ optical gas imaging cameras have documented the invisible oil and gas air pollution that the industry has been spewing in New Mexico. We have seen first-hand what an unregulated industry does to communities and climate.
“We look forward to an open and transparent process and a final rule that prioritizes the health of people and climate above this polluting industry.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Proposed rule from EMNRD
- Proposal rule from NMED
- Earthworks documented oil and gas pollution from the Permian and San Juan shale basins.
- Earthworks statement on recent NMED air pollution enforcement actions.