New Mexico Proposes Methane Rule to Curb Oil and Gas Leaks and Wasted Fuel
New Mexico's Environment Department has submitted a proposed methane rule to the Environmental Improvement Board, aiming to significantly reduce methane leaks and wasted fuel from oil and gas operations. This proposal is a key part of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration's broader initiative to tackle air pollution from the oil and gas sector. The new rule would mandate faster responses to large methane leaks, requiring operators to investigate and repair them within three days of notification in most cases. It also expands existing requirements for equipment upgrades to prevent natural gas from venting into the atmosphere. The state estimates that without action, climate change could cost New Mexico $294 billion by 2050 due to infrastructure damage, health impacts, and agricultural losses. 
