New Mexico’s oil conservation commission began two weeks of public testimony Monday in an online hearing on proposed rules for managing venting and flaring. Upon taking office in January 2019, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said her administration would adopt some of the nation’s toughest rules for curtailing methane and other emissions. EnergyWire from E&E News said under the proposal operators would need to reduce their waste by a fixed amount every year to achieve an ultimate gas capture rate of 98 percent by December 2026.
Early testimony included teachers and educators who said the industry is important for funding New Mexico schools and capturing more gas could result in millions of dollars more each year for classrooms. Others talked about climate change, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Industry representatives said they already are taking advantage of new technology to reduce emissions in two producing regions of Permian Basin in southeast and San Juan Basin in northwest. Officials of New Mexico Oil and Gas Association said five years might not be enough time for operators to develop solutions. EnergyWire said draft rules under consideration would prohibit routine venting and flaring and require operators to report emissions at every stage of operations. Sandra Ely of New Mexico environment department said new rules will be proposed in April followed by more hearings.