Contact: Celerah Hewes, [email protected], 505-916-1247
Albuquerque, NM—Today’s vote in the US House of Representatives to reinstate methane pollution protections is another step toward reversing the climate harm the previous administration has done. The positive votes from Representatives Leger Fernandez and Stansbury, combined with Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan’s leadership and support in the Senate, will help jump-start the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to strengthen a methane rule that protects New Mexico’s families from harmful air pollution and climate change.
In response to today’s vote, Moms Clean Air Force and Senator Martin Heinrich issued the following quotes:
“While this is a major step on climate action, it cannot be the last that we take in this Congress. I will keep fighting to pass more solutions to confront the climate crisis and make sure that we leave future generations with a healthier planet to call home.” —United States Senator Martin Heinrich
“Today’s vote in the US House of Representatives to reinstate federal methane standards is a major step forward in reducing toxic emissions from oil and gas operations. Strong methane pollution protections help clean up our air and mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” said Celerah Hewes, Albuquerque resident, mom, and New Mexico field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “New Mexicans—and the parents of more than 32,000 children attending schools within a half mile of oil and gas operations in our state—are heartened to see congressional action to address our methane problem. We look forward to working with the EPA and New Mexico’s congressional leaders to enact policies that protect the health and future of our kids.”
“Each year, the oil and gas industry releases millions of tons of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—and other harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air our families breathe, posing a serious threat to public health and worsening the climate crisis. Moms everywhere are heartened to see that Congress recognizes the need for strong safeguards to address this pollution problem,” said Patrice Tomcik, National Field Manager and Oil and Gas Specialist for Moms Clean Air Force. “Now, children all across the country are depending on EPA and the Biden administration to move swiftly on an even more protective rule to cut methane pollution 65% by 2025. We look forward to working with EPA to ensure they enact the strongest protections possible to protect the health and future of our children.”