While many Oklahoma energy leaders are praising the President’s move last week to repeal the EPA “endangerment finding”, one created in 2009 by the Obama administration, such is not the case in New Mexico where one leader said it is a “moment to mourn.”
The state also relies heavily on oil and gas revenues for its public education, but New Mexico is a Democrat-run state. Oklahoma has a Republican-led administration.
So the statement from New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney in reaction to the Trump administration’s decision is not a surprise. He said the repealed policy had served as the bedrock for federal environment and health advancements for decades. environment and health advancements for decades:
“Today, the federal government destroyed decades of established policies grounded in hard science recognized by the American and global scientific community. As a science-based organization working to help New Mexicans breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water, we are in a moment of mourning and an ever-greater need for bold state action,” declared Kenney in response.
He claimed the endangerment finding had been adopted by President Obama “based on scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to Americans’ health and welfare.” Kenney further contended the rule served as the foundation for many of the federal government’s most ambitious climate rules and initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Trump administration argues that the endangerment finding drove up costs and stalled new business in the United States. In reality, repealing it will discourage domestic investments and slow technology innovation. It will also burden household budgets with higher healthcare, insurance and disaster recovery costs directly linked to a warming climate,” said the New Mexico environment leader.
“Today marks a moment to mourn the loss of important federal policy informed by decades of tireless work by environmental advocates, scientists and others who believe not only in protecting the environment, but also in building a more prosperous future for generations to come. As someone who worked at the EPA for more than two decades, I am personally heartbroken for the dedicated career EPA scientific, technical and legal staff whose work was irresponsibly erased today,” declared Kenney. Let me be clear: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration will continue our work to innovate around climate solutions that are good for our people and economy.”
Kenney also said the repeal should mark a moment for doubling down on bold action and added the state’s efforts over the past seven years set the stage for New Mexico to be a beacon of environmental and economic progress.