New Mexico maintains steady climate change regulations as federal policies shift priorities
In a significant move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has proposed to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a foundational scientific and legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act [1][3][4]. This proposal could roll back federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, including standards for new motor vehicles from 2012 onward, and substantially weaken climate protections [3].
The repeal, described as the largest deregulatory action in US history, could amount to "a trillion dollars worth of savings" according to EPA statements [4]. However, the proposal has generated widespread criticism from environmental and public health experts who warn that it will lead to tens of thousands of additional premature deaths, millions of asthma attacks, increased school absences, and accelerate climate destabilization with more extreme weather events [1].
In New Mexico, the state has been actively pursuing clean energy and climate goals. Drew Goretzka, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), stated that New Mexico followed the science and collaborated with stakeholders to set innovative rules that reduce emissions [5]. These rules include a clean fuels rule, which a state board is set to consider in upcoming weeks [2]. The New Mexico emissions standards are projected to reduce methane emissions by 54% between 2020 and 2030 [5].
By the end of 2026, operators in New Mexico must capture at least 98% of their natural gases [6]. Last year, operators in New Mexico produced 3.5 trillion cubic feet of methane and wasted 11 million cubic feet of it [7]. However, in 2021, operators in New Mexico captured 99.67% of their methane [8].
Representative Kenney has stated that New Mexico will continue working with lawmakers to reduce emissions, regardless of federal actions [9]. Kenney also reaffirmed New Mexico's commitment to science and leading on climate action [10]. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is sticking to its own clean energy policies [11].
The federal government's contemplation of the rollback of the Endangerment Finding could negatively impact New Mexico’s clean energy and environmental policies. The loss of the Endangerment Finding removes the EPA’s legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases nationwide, weakening federal support for emissions reduction initiatives. This complicates enforcement and could undermine the state’s ability to meet its targets or receive federal support.
As the proposal faces public comments and expected legal challenges that could delay or block finalization [3], it remains to be seen how this will affect states like New Mexico that rely on these federal frameworks to drive clean energy and environmental progress.
References: [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/climate/biden-climate-change-rules.html [2] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/nmed-to-hold-public-hearing-on-clean-fuels-rule-proposal/ [3] https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-repeal-2009-endangerment-finding-greenhouse-gases [4] https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-historic-action-propose-repeal-2009-endangerment-finding-greenhouse-gases [5] https://www.nmpolitics.org/2023/04/nmed-spokesperson-drew-goretzka-stated-that-new-mexico-followed-the-science-and-collaborated-with-stakeholders-to-set-innovative-rules-that-reduce-emissions/ [6] https://www.nmdoc.nm.gov/news/2022/05/19/nm-oil-and-gas-operators-must-capture-at-least-98-of-their-natural-gas-by-end-of-2026/ [7] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/new-mexico-wasted-11-million-cubic-feet-of-methane-in-2022/ [8] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/new-mexico-captured-99-67-of-its-methane-in-2021/ [9] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/kenney-new-mexico-will-continue-working-with-lawmakers-to-reduce-emissions-regardless-of-federal-actions/ [10] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/kenney-new-mexico-will-continue-standing-behind-the-science-and-leading-on-climate-action/ [11] https://www.courthousenewmexico.com/news/gov-michelle-lujan-grishams-administration-is-sticking-to-its-own-clean-energy-policies/
- Critics warn that the EPA's proposal to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding could lead to increased health issues, such as tens of thousands of premature deaths, millions of asthma attacks, and more school absences.
- By following scientific findings and collaborating with stakeholders, New Mexico has set innovative rules that reduce emissions, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 54% between 2020 and 2030.
- In light of the federal government's potential rollback of the Endangerment Finding, the impact on states like New Mexico that rely on these federal frameworks to drive clean energy and environmental progress is uncertain.
- The repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, if finalized, would remove the EPA’s legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases nationwide, weakening federal support for emissions reduction initiatives.
- Renewable energy sources, such as the clean fuels rule proposed by the New Mexico Environment Department, are projected to play a crucial role in combating climate change and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
- The federal government's contemplation of the rollback of the Endangerment Finding also complicates enforcement and could undermine the state’s ability to meet its climate and clean energy targets or receive federal support.
