Commentary: The latest proposed recall of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) methane waste prevention rule is a huge step back toward responsible energy development in New Mexico and across the country.
Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and the Trump administration have proposed to gut this commonsense rule that reduces natural gas waste, curbs air pollution and protects taxpayers, seemingly under the radar of most New Mexicans.
The rollback of this rule is an insult to New Mexicans who overwhelmingly support methane capture. Unregulated venting, leaking and flaring from fossil fuel extraction in our state emits 570,000 tons of methane that costs our children, teachers, workers, and hospitals an estimated $27 million in lost royalties and revenues; that’s not to mention that methane is 20 times more warming than carbon dioxide.
This decision is clearly out of step with public opinion in New Mexico. To get rid of the BLM methane rule, which was designed to address that waste, is an affront to our constituents and a threat to our health.