Report: New Mexico’s largest emitters overlooked in state climate policy

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Through an executive order and state legislation, New Mexico has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent by 2030 and required all utilities to decarbonize their electricity supply by 2045.

In light of these ambitious climate policies, a team of researchers from PSE Healthy Energy and the University of New Mexico analyzed large stationary sources of climate- and health-damaging pollution—including fossil fuel-fired power plants, oil refineries, gas processing plants and compressor stations, manufacturing plants, and landfills—in New Mexico. The report includes a location-based analysis and provides suggestions for maximizing the public health and climate benefits of state policies.

Based on their analysis, the researchers found that:

  • Large stationary sources contribute approximately one quarter of New Mexico’s greenhouse gas emissions
  • Large stationary sources are significant contributors of health-damaging air pollutants
  • Oil and gas and electric power sectors are the largest contributors of health-damaging air pollutant emissions among large stationary sources
  • Smaller “large sources” are important contributors of health-damaging pollution
  • Many large stationary sources are located in communities with a high proportion of people of color or low-income households
  • Four areas stand out as regions with clusters of large stationary sources:
    • San Juan Basin: San Juan, Rio Arriba, and McKinley counties include 65 large facilities, 56 of which are in the oil and gas sector. This region has a very high population of Native American residents.
    • Permian Basin: Chaves, Lea, and Eddy are home to 69 facilities, 53 of which are in the oil and gas sector.
    • Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties: The metropolitan area has the largest population in the state and contains 15 large stationary sources, including a mine, landfills, manufacturing, an airport, and the university.
    • Las Cruces and Dona Aña County: Nine large stationary sources are situated in this region, and three facilities are located in low-income communities of color in Sunland Park.

Here are more details of the study

Sister Odile Coirer: Texas could benefit from federal methane rule

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Sister Odile Coirier, our field organizer for El Paso and southern New Mexico, had this letter published in the El Paso Times on Jan. 29, 2023. 

As a Franciscan sister in El Paso, I am concerned about the immigration and refugee issue that floods us each day. I also know that some are coming because of food insecurity, which has climate change as a factor, others may be coming because of increasing storms. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency is having public hearings and asking for comments on national rules to address methane pollution in the oil and gas fields.

It is a moral imperative to care for our common home and work for the dignity of every human being….We know that Texas doesn’t have strong methane rules and could benefit from federal rules.

Methane pollution is more than 80 times stronger than other sources of greenhouse gases that increase climate change disruption. It is also a source of pollution that causes many health concerns adding to the ozone pollution that we and others in West Texas face. It is a moral imperative to care for our common home and work for the dignity of every human being.

We know that Texas doesn’t have strong methane rules and could benefit from federal rules. We need the EPA to pass national rules to address methane pollution, flaring and venting and quickly. The Methane Supplemental Rule proposal is an important step forward to ensure that approved monitoring technologies and data are available to all so that communities and individuals can participate and engage in the Super Emitter Response Program, which is designed to quickly address very large leaks from the oil and gas industry.

Odile Coirier

East Central El Paso

Video: New Mexicans Experiencing Climate Change (Part 1)

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The first chapter of the Open New Doors video series, “Open New Doors to a Thriving New Mexico,” shares stories from community members experiencing climate change and fossil fuel pollution across New Mexico and their solutions and visions for the future. Their experiences show us that now is the time to open new doors to a thriving and resilient climate and economy for all New Mexicans.   Video produced by Climate Advocates Voces Unidas.