State agencies tasked with new rules on methane emissions in New Mexico are preparing to release their recommended guidelines later in the year.
The Farmington Daily News reported that the New Mexico Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and the Natural Resources Department plan to release draft complimentary regulations for reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors.
The two departments wrapped up their information gathering phase, which included public meetings and the Methane Advisory Panel, and are now starting on phase two — developing the draft rules.
A community impacts meeting via webcast on March 19 provided opportunities for the public to learn more about the process and why the state believes these regulations are important.
These new rules come as a result of an executive order Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued shortly after taking office in 2019.
The Methane Advisory Panel’s report focused largely on technology that could help reduce emissions, and also includes information about how expensive that technology would be to implement.
Source: Farmington Daily Times
