RPNM STATEMENT ON GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM’S TESTIMONY ON REDUCING METHANE POLLUTION

 

RPNM STATEMENT ON GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM’S TESTIMONY BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON REDUCING METHANE POLLUTION FROM OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
 

Albuquerque, June 14—The following is a statement from Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce following Gov. Lujan Grisham’s testimony today before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on cutting methane gas pollution. During her testimony she touted New Mexico’s green policies, while claiming New Mexico’s energy rules are a “model for the nation” an “economic driver” and “create a predictable and fair environment for industry.”

As Lujan Grisham spouts off her promises of green jobs, deliberately moves away from fossil fuels and basks in her sea of regulations, progressive policies at the federal and state level have killed our economy and driven up energy costs. New Mexicans are now paying the highest prices ever for gasoline, and they feel the pain. It costs $100 to fill up a vehicle, and there’s no sign of relief at the pumps because of Biden’s policies and Lujan Grisham’s Green New Deal.

“Today’s testimony before a Congressional committee once again demonstrates that our Governor is out of touch with her energy policies. She continues to use the national stage to try to advance her political standing, but, more importantly, Lujan Grisham’s progressive platforms defy what’s right for New Mexico. She will always turn her back on her state’s needs and the vital oil and gas industry that’s the driving fiscal engine in New Mexico. This important industry pours billions of dollars into our state coffers and provides more than a hundred thousand direct or related jobs. This Governor continues her efforts to impose painful regulations against oil and gas, and it’s crystal clear that Lujan Grisham has become a true threat to our essential energy sector and the future of our state. New Mexico can become a key player to provide energy independence for our nation, but Lujan Grisham and her progressive pals hold steadfast to the belief that $100 to fill your tank is right for consumers. RPNM believes gas and food should be affordable to working class citizens.”

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Is Your RV Stove Harming You and The Environment?

Above, the galley area of my motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

First, they were going after cows for methane emissions. Now they're going after your RV stove.

Some wacko at Popular Science wrote an article saying that your RV's stove is harming the environment by emitting methane. 

According to an article in RV Travel:

“Your gas stove could be hurting everyone around you,” shouts the headline from a recent issue of Popular Science. The subtitle, “A new report has found that stoves are constantly emitting fumes—warming the planet and endangering your health.” Is your RV stove a guilty party?

The Popular Science article trots out information from a recent report from Stanford University. The research says kitchen stoves are “constantly emitting methane” that has “a climate impact comparable to adding a half a million gas-powered cars to the roads.” It doesn’t matter, say researchers, whether the stove is actively cooking something, or not. “We found that over three-quarters of the methane emissions from stoves are emitted while the stove is off,” said Eric Lebel, the lead author of the study. “So these little tiny leaks from the stoves, they really do add up.”

Is your RV stove, while looking shiny and innocent, really adding to global warming? In a word, “No.” While there are concerns that RVers need to address in terms of safety, your RV kitchen appliance is not contributing in any great way to global warming. Does this fly in the face of the Stanford study?

To read the full article, go here. 

Methane: New Mexico Cows Are Safe, For Now

Above, cattle roaming in Iyanbito, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everybody wants clear air to breathe, but excessive regulations will only complicate the situation if they drive oil and gas production companies out of the state and kill jobs. Hopefully, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's executive order won't do this. At least she's giving those industries ten years to reduce methane.

According to the Albuquerque Journal:

When newly elected Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham set out on the campaign trail, one of her promises to the citizens of New Mexico was to begin to hold the oil and gas industry across the state accountable for its contributions to air pollution and climate change. Less than a month into her administration and the governor has followed through on this ambitious campaign promise. 

Through a bold initiative, Lujan Grisham is calling for a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas pollution in New Mexico by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels. With this executive order, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the Environment Department will develop strategies focused on reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations. This is vitally important given that more methane is wasted through venting, flaring and leakage on federal and tribal lands in New Mexico than in any other state. In 2018, New Mexico saw worsening air quality, partly from oil and gas development in the Permian Basin. On the other end of the state, the largest cloud of toxic methane in the U.S. has been documented over the Four Corners area.

The Democrats have some sort of a bug up their rear ends about methane lately. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's "Green New Deal" proposal is targeting methane from cows. Since there's quite a number of cows in New Mexico, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Grisham eventually gets around to them.

To read more, go here.