Recently the U.S. Department of the Interior finalized a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule to drastically reduce methane waste on federal and tribal lands. Because of this smart policy, up to 180,000 tons of escaping methane will be captured every year, thus reducing the amount of this toxic waste released into the atmosphere.
This rule will also save millions of dollars that will increase the royalties to the states, tribes, and taxpayers. Emissions on tribal lands are largely unmanaged, resulting in gas waste valued at more than $26 million.
As residents of the Four Corners area, we are aware that we live in the nation’s largest “hot spot” of methane pollution. It is now a fairly common experience to see the haze of these pollutants from nearby gas wells mar the long view while hiking or biking in Montezuma County.
Methane is responsible for about a quarter of the global warming we are currently experiencing and will trap 80 times more heat in the atmosphere over the next two decades than the same amount of carbon dioxide. Methane pollution is a significant contributor to lung and breathing issues for folks who live in the areas where emissions are not captured.
In the next few days Congress will use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn many rules that were made since last summer. Because this current administration is so focused on eliminating any kind of regulation of the oil and gas industry, the methane rule is in jeopardy in the next few days.
The CRA is a dangerous tool to use to overturn any rule because it means a similar rule cannot be implemented in the future — ever. Both Representative Scott Tipton and Senator Cory Gardner must vote “no” on overturning the BLM methane rule. Please contact their offices immediately to tell them to keep the BLM methane rule in place. Rep. Tipton’s number is (202) 225-4761 and Sen. Gardner’s number is (202) 224-5941.
Rev. William R. Morris
Dolores
