I am very concerned about the health of communities in New Mexico suffering from ill effects of oil and gas.
As a board member of Interfaith Power and Light, our faith communities and people of faith and conscience worked hard on the oil and gas air pollution rules finalized earlier this year by the Environmental Improvement Board.
We offered many comments and spoke in public hearings for rules to address spills, leaks, venting and flaring, which take a toll on all New Mexicans’ health and access to clean air and water. The rules passed by EIB were an important step and safeguard for New Mexicans.
The news that the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) intends to sue the state to reverse key provisions of the rules was very disheartening after such a long public process. Industry was part of the long rule-making process. As an ordinary person, I do not understand why IPANM would want to harm the health of our communities — except out of greed.
In good conscience, as oil and gas operators are realizing record profits, they should step up to clean up after themselves and act as better neighbors to New Mexico communities. People of faith and conscience are working now for strong federal rules for pollution that follow New Mexico’s lead.
The Environmental Protection Agency should strengthen its methane protection standards to require all oil and gas operators to find and fix leaks and stop routine venting and flaring.
In this time of increasing health risks from poor air quality, across the state, and especially in areas of oil and gas production, we cannot afford to take backward steps. It is critical that the EIB rules be maintained, so as people of conscience, we protect the most vulnerable among us.
Original source found here.
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