Is New Mexico meeting climate change goals amid oil and gas rules? - Carlsbad Current Argus

Is New Mexico meeting climate change goals amid oil and gas rules?

New Mexico struggles to meet pollution goals, study says, despite oil and gas restrictions
Adrian Hedden

New Mexico could fail to meet its goals to reduce pollution this decade without proper funding for state agencies tasked with overseeing industries like oil and gas known to release greenhouse gasses and other emissions into the air, according to recent research.

A 2019 executive order signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but an analysis from the Environmental Defense Fund projected the state would only reduce the emissions by 1 percent in 2025 and a 13 percent by 2030, from 2005 levels.

That’s because the state lacks the ability to enforce its recent regulations targeting emissions from the oil and gas sector, the organization said.

More: New Mexico groups, state leaders push feds for stronger pollution policy

In 2021, the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) enacted policy to require operators to capture 98 percent of produced gas by 2026, while banning the routine use of flaring – a process that burns of excess natural gas.

And last year, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)added requirements for operators to detect and fix leaks and increase monitoring and reporting of emissions aimed at reducing air pollutants known to form ground-level ozone.

Despite these efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was considering designating the Permian Basin, in both southeast New Mexico and West Texas, in violation of federal air quality standards – a move that could restrict permitting for oil and gas and other industries in the region.

More: Mewbourne Oil Company faces $5.5 million federal, state fines for New Mexico air pollution

Air pollution problems will only get worse for New Mexico, the EDF report read, without multiple policy changes the group recommended.

The EDF called for New Mexico to directly regulate carbon pollution from all state sources, while increasing funding at both NMED, the OCD and its parent agency the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to allow for more inspectors of extraction facilities throughout the state.

The state must also pass new laws to require stronger reductions in pollutive emissions, the study read, and aid in transitioning the state away from its reliance on fossil fuels.

More: Oil and gas near schools? New Mexico groups hope to protect students from pollution

That industry makes up between a third and half of New Mexico’s annual budget, records show, and recent growth in the Permian Basin propelled New Mexico to become the second-biggest producer of crude oil in the U.S.

But the economic growth came at the expense of environmental health, said Alex DeGolia, director for U.S. climate at the EDF.

“New Mexicans can see clearly how fundamental aspects of their culture and identity are threatened, and they want their elected leaders to act. We look forward to working with state leaders to accomplish our shared goals,” he said.

“Communities across the state are suffering the impacts of drought, air pollution and wildfire and feel the mounting and undeniable pressures from climate change.”

More: How is New Mexico influencing federal oil and gas air pollution policy?

The EDF also called on New Mexico to compete for federal grants targeting climate change initiatives.

On July 14, the administration of President Joe Biden announced $20 billion in competitive federal grants for clean energy projects, while the EPA in June said it was making $7 billion in grants available specifically for solar projects throughout the U.S.

The projects were part of a broader effort to increase access to the renewable energy as a means of reducing carbon pollution via the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

More: Work is beginning on SunZia wind power project in New Mexico. Here's what to know.

Camilla Feibelman with the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club said those, and other federal investments could aid New Mexico in reducing its own pollution.

She was critical of the State’s recent efforts to increase hydrogen-based energy production, a process many in the environmental community criticized as requiring extracted natural gas.

“With unprecedented federal funding becoming available for climate and health solutions like electric school buses, EV chargers and energy efficiency, now is the time to pass comprehensive climate legislation,” Feibelman said.

“We simply cannot endanger our children’s futures by waiting, nor can we afford moving backward with climate-damaging fossil-fuel hydrogen projects or carbon capture keeping coal and gas plants polluting.”

More: Oil and gas is 'deforming' New Mexico's land, study says, as drilling set to grow

New Mexico’s position as a nation-leading, oil-producing state meant it should do even more to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich with the Western Environmental Law Center.

He argued higher fossil fuel production in New Mexico than all other states except Texas meant the state was also contributing more to climate change than most others.

“As the second-largest oil-producing state, New Mexico must do more, much faster to reduce climate pollution,” Schlenker-Goodrich said. “The governor has said she wants New Mexico to lead nationally in the fight against climate change, as do I. That requires a far more ambitious approach than she has demonstrated thus far.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.