NMED statement given at Jan. 4, 2021 hearing of the Oil Conservation Commission: Case 21528

NMED statement, Oil Conservation Commission hearing

Jan. 4, 2021

Case 21528: Natural Gas Waste Proposal to Adopt

19.15.27 to reduce venting and flaring in production facilities and 19.15.28 to reduce venting and flaring in natural gas gathering systems and to Amend 19.15.7 (Forms and report), 19.15.18 (Production Operating Practices) and 19.15.19 (Natural Gas Operating Practices)

My name is Sandra Ely, I am the Environmental Protection Division Director for the New Mexico Environment Department.

The Environment Department and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department have been working together since early 2019 to develop strategies to reduce waste and air pollution in New Mexico's oil and gas industry. These strategies are designed to meet the state's greenhouse gas emission reduction target, improve air quality, reduce waste of a valuable resource and increase royalties to the state.

The Agencies set out to draft separate but complimentary rules with NMED's rules addressing air pollution and EMNRD's rules addressing waste. With that in mind the two Agencies worked together for nearly two years and during that time jointly held multiple stakeholder meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders, convened the Methane Advisory Panel to create a comprehensive technology support document and met frequently to discuss stakeholder input and rule development.

This approach enabled the two Departments to craft rules that are not duplicative, do not conflict and do not leave regulatory gaps. The two sets of rules are designed to work together to provide full coverage of the industry to achieve the waste and pollution reductions New Mexicans deserve.

While EMNRD's rules are before the Commission this month, NMED will go before its rulemaking body in April to propose a hearing this Summer.

The Environment Department strongly supports the proposed rules before the Oil Conservation Commission and encourages the Commission to adopt these rules as written.

Thank you.