In a move to crack down on emissions from oil and gas wells, the New Mexico Environmental Department filed expert technical testimony ahead of a hearing for proposed rule changes.
The Department, in an announcement on Monday said the filing included more than 5,000 pages of technical information from experts in support of a rule to reduce harmful emissions from the oil and gas industry by nearly 260 million pounds annually.
The supporting testimony will be used as evidence in support of the department’s proposed rule change that will be the subject of an Environmental Improvement Board hearing on Sept. 20, 2021.
The rule focuses on reducing oil and gas industry emissions of oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds, which combine in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, in New Mexico counties suffering from the highest levels of pollution.
“We collaborated, we listened, and we are on the cusp of delivering a nationally leading oil and natural gas rule that will address the public health hazard of rising ozone levels,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “On September 20, the Environmental Improvement Board will take up this science-based proposed rule which the public, environmental groups and industry helped to shape. I am exceptionally proud of our inclusive stakeholder process and the Department staff who tirelessly work for the benefit of New Mexicans and their environment.”
In addition to technical testimony, members of the public and other interested persons will have the opportunity to make non-technical public statements or submit written comments during the hearing.
NMED may still propose changes to the rule in response to information received from stakeholders. The Board will ultimately decide which provisions to adopt after the hearing.
The testimony is posted here (items 17-28). Details on the hearing are available on the NMED Events Calendar.