High standards

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham set the right goal in committing to enact nation-leading standards to reduce methane waste and pollution from the oil and gas industry. Methane is a powerful climate change pollutant responsible for 25 percent of the warming we experience today. It is ruining our air and threatening the health of communities across the state, and methane waste is costing our schools millions in revenue.

The methane waste rule passed by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission marked a significant step forward, eliminating routine venting and flaring for the first time. But our work is not done. Most methane escapes through leaks at well sites and oil and gas equipment. The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed common-sense rules to require the industry to find and fix leaks, but the agency needs to hold the line and not weaken key leak regulations at the behest of industry. Before the regulations are finalized later this month, they must be strengthened to protect front-line communities by requiring more frequent inspections to find and fix leaks. States like Colorado have been successful in reducing pollution while allowing the oil and gas industry to continue to operate responsibly. It’s time for New Mexico to step up. Also, federal methane rules are coming but need to be strong enough to set a clear regulatory floor for other states like Texas that pollute over the border.

It’s Code Red for the planet and New Mexican lungs. Let’s get these rules right.

Ken Hughes transportation chair Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club