Methane Comments: Tom Smith
(The EPA is hosting three virtual public hearings on January 10-12. These hearings are an important opportunity for communities across the country to make their voices heard, and demand that EPA adopts strong, comprehensive methane safeguards to protect our health and our planet. We share ccomments from New Mexico and El Paso residents).
My name is Tom Smith, a member of the Franciscan community and director of the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park We have a Laudato Si! Committee here to promote care for the earth both locally and around the world, as well to care for the people most affected by environmental concerns. As a faith leader, I look to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of ecology, and to Pope Francis who has fervently called for action to care for all aspects of the earth and the people who live here.
I lived in Artesia for a while and heard and smelled the flaring of the methane and gas close to where I lived. Many people live close to such noxious and dangerous fumes but are too poor to move elsewhere so they feel the effects most personally.
New Mexico receives much income from the gas and oil industry in the Permian Basin, but the state also needs to be conscientious about the environmental impact of the industry and work for effective regulations.
I lived in Artesia for a while and heard and smelled the flaring of the methane and gas close to where I lived. Many people live close to such noxious and dangerous fumes but are too poor to move elsewhere so they feel the effects most personally.