Kayley Shoup, organizer for Citizens Caring for the Future, and Sister Joan Brown, executive director of Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico, penned the following letter to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, We have added some subheadlines to highlight important points in the letter.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee we write to you to affirm the importance of the Methane Rules in the oil and gas industry and the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. We would be very concerned if these vital safeguards for public health and care for our sacred land, water and air were dismissed. As a frontline community group Citizens Caring for the Future whose members live in the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico and as New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power and Light which is an organization of people of faith with some members living in the Permian Region and working in solidarity with the frontline communities, we support the proposed rules and thank you for considering our comments.
Health Concerns in Vulnerable Frontline Communities
Those living, working and visiting the Permian Basin, the most productive oilfield in the country, witness firsthand the environmental challenges posed by extensive oil and gas operations. Headaches are common from fumes from oil facilities which number tens of thousands. Living in constant proximity to so much pollution causes cancers, asthma, premature births, and other health problems. The American Lung Association is quite clear in expressing concerns for health in their State of the Air Report where both Eddy and Lea County received an F grade for ozone pollution. In addition emotional stress and even depression especially among young people is growing as a sense of hopelessness settles into communities with increased suicide and violence. Climate change concerns also affect young adults who increasingly know that humans are truly one with the earth and methane pollution is a large contributor to climate change. What hurts the planet, hurts us.
Pollution is an ethical and moral concern that visitors coming to the region through Immersion Retreat experiences that we sponsor immediately note. The assault upon human communities and the sacred land, water and air of New Mexico is a violation that is stark, yet often not spoken about because the economy of the region and state is so dependent upon the oil and gas industry. While Southeast New Mexico may be an economic driver for the state through the oil and gas industry, it is also home to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park and a Cave & Karst ecosystem. A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that there were 349,244 visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2021 and they spent $25.1 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 312 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $27.4 million. Not only does oil and gas threaten the health of these underground worlds of biodiversity that are crucial to scientific research, but it also has an impact on the other diverse drivers of the local economy like tourism.
EPA methane rules a significant step
For these reasons, the recent EPA methane rules are a beacon of hope because they signal a crucial step towards mitigating the harmful effects of methane emissions and harmful VOC emissions in our region. By imposing stricter regulations these rules not only protect our air quality but also contribute to addressing the global climate crisis. As people deeply committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Permian Basin and the viability of our planet we believe that the EPA’s actions provide a foundation for fostering positive change. But, these regulations must be enforced if we are to see a change. Sadly, the Permian Basin should be designated a non- attainment zone by the EPA based on high ozone levels that are being recorded by the National Parks Service and scientists such as Dr. Detlev Helmig with Boulder AIR. In a period of just six months the Boulder AIR air monitor has recorded “31 days in which ground-level ozone levels surpassed the Environmental Protection Agency’s eight-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 70 parts per billion.”
While New Mexico does have methane pollution rules that the state is making progress in enforcing, the Southeast region suffers from poor air quality coming from Texas, which has no state methane rules. In New Mexico overall 53% of people of color or approximately 80,000 people live within a half mile of oil and gas wells. While the Permian Basin does not have a large Native American population, overall in the state 17.1% (26,000) live within a half-mile of oil and gas facilities while proportionally they make up 10.5% of the total population. Adding to these facts, New Mexico ranks third in the nation with the highest poverty rate, making these environmental justice concerns. The Oil & Gas Threat Map map offers these realities to our communities, especially children in great detail. Another helpful resource that offers scientifically determined data and the effects on communities can be found through the Environmental Defense Fund.
Permian Basin an important precedent
If we are to truly cut methane emissions in the United States we must address what is happening in the Permian and in New Mexico overall. We do that by following the mandates of the Clean Air Act, enforcing strong EPA regulations, and by implementing a managed decline of oil & gas production.
The Permian Basin faces the dilemma of balancing economic interests with environmental responsibility. The EPA’s methane rules strike a necessary balance by incentivizing the adoption of advanced technologies and practices to reduce methane emissions. This not only benefits the environment but also presents an opportunity for the region to transition into other jobs for workers, such as retrofitting equipment, methane mitigation jobs and clean-up. Transition is only possible if we also have the opportunity to conserve our air, water and land instead of being treated like a disposable sacrifice zone. We are encouraged by the potential for these rules to stimulate innovation, create green jobs, and ultimately pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
These rules empower frontline communities to engage with local communities, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure that these regulations are effectively implemented and lead to meaningful change and a healthier world. The spirit of collaboration and dialogue that they invoke, enables us to work towards a common goal of safeguarding the environment while promoting a just and sustainable future for the Permian Basin and the planet. We must work together as we face the climate crisis.
Sincerely,
Kayley Shoup, Organizer, Citizens Caring for the Future
Sr. Joan Brown, osf, Executive Director New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light
