Testimony on State Methane Rules: Patricia Sheely

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Members and supporters of New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light have prepared testimony for hearings held by the Environmental Improvement Board. The hearings, held the week of Sept. 20-24, are in support of the The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) strong proposal to cut ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane released by the oil and gas industry.

Members of the Environmental Improvement Board,

I am Patricia Sheely and I am a member of the United Methodist Church faith community. I live in Gallup, NM.

My two main concerns about methane pollution are the health effects and its contribution to climate change. I support strong methane rules and I want to thank you for holding these meetings and allowing me to speak.

As a retired dietitian, I am very concerned about the effect of pollution on the health and development of our infants and children. We are only now becoming aware of the significance the environment and its accompanying stress plays on the developing fetus and the mother’s ability to have a successful pregnancy. Pollutants such as methane and VOCs have an adverse effect on our older residents with heart and respiratory conditions as well. I grew up with one oil well on a 125 acre farm. I can’t imagine living in the midst of a whole field of wells. I worry about the health of our residents. I feel that we have a responsibility to take care of everyone.

I find it embarrassing that New Mexico has a methane cloud over the four corners area that can be seen from space. The climate crisis is here. It is affecting our state with hotter temperatures, decreasing our snowpack and monsoons, and the loss of our pinon pines and juniper forest. Our landscape is probably our greatest resource for the future.

New Mexico can do our part by requiring frequent inspections of wells to find and fix leaks. Leaks due to equipment malfunction and lack of maintenance account for 70% of our emissions. We have the technology to do this. This could even be a source of employment. The methane captured is a valuable resource that should not be wasted.

Please take action to strengthen the rules.   Thank you.