Commentary: On Jan. 5, a large group of New Mexico residents and community groups submitted comments to the New Mexico Environment Department laying out our concerns about its proposal for weaker construction-permit requirements for oil and gas facilities. The draft rule removed a requirement for a .25-mile setback requirement for oil and gas wells from schools and homes.
The Environment Department has apparently disregarded those concerns, revealing on Friday afternoon its final rule, which constitutes some of the weakest oil and gas air-quality regulations in the country.
"What kind of environmental agency eliminates a quarter-mile setback from schools? As the parent of a 2-year-old, I find this action to be the latest evidence that the Martinez administration will cater to the oil and gas industry at any cost to New Mexicans' health and well-being," said Camilla Feibelman, director of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.