What is it like to live in the Permian basin next to oil wells? How can we update the 1935 Oil and Gas Act to make it safer for the people living there? Join activists Kayley Shoup and Tannis Fox on this video recorded Oct 24, 2022 to find out.
In good conscience, as oil and gas operators are realizing record profits, they should step up to clean up after themselves and act as better neighbors to New Mexico communities. People of faith and conscience are working now for strong federal rules for pollution that follow New Mexico’s lead.
I am very concerned about the health of communities in New Mexico suffering from ill effects of oil and gas.
As a board member of Interfaith Power and Light, our faith communities and people of faith and conscience worked hard on the oil and gas air pollution rules finalized earlier this year by the Environmental Improvement Board.
We offered many comments and spoke in public hearings for rules to address spills, leaks, venting and flaring, which take a toll on all New Mexicans’ health and access to clean air and water. The rules passed by EIB were an important step and safeguard for New Mexicans.
The news that the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) intends to sue the state to reverse key provisions of the rules was very disheartening after such a long public process. Industry was part of the long rule-making process. As an ordinary person, I do not understand why IPANM would want to harm the health of our communities — except out of greed.
This article from reporter Adrian Hedden published in the Carlsbad Current Argus on Aug. 25 illustrates the importance of the coming election for our efforts to address climate change.
“Pollution from oil and gas and ways to stop the resulting damage to the environment promised to be central themes in New Mexico’s November election along with its policy-driven 2023 legislative session in January.
A poll of 600 New Mexicans from across the state conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) election advocacy partner EDF Action showed voters favored taking stronger action on climate change and candidates who purported they would do so.
New Mexican voters will decide in November if Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will continue her administration’s work on tougher pollution controls for energy developers in the next four years, or if Republican candidate Mark Ronchetti will be empowered to enact his plan to deregulate the industry to drive up production and state revenue.”
P.O. Box 27162
Albuquerque, NM 87125
(505) 266-6966