New Mexico has proposed rules that would require its oil and gas industry to capture at least 98% of its emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane by 2026, a standard it said would be among the strongest in the nation.
The proposal, announced by state officials after consultations with industry, would affect drillers in New Mexico’s portion of the Permian Basin oil hub where production has surged in recent years.
“The draft rules lay out an achievable but ambitious timeline and leaves room for innovation in the oil and gas industry, incorporating key feedback received throughout the process,” said New Mexico Oil Conservation Division Director Adrienne Sandoval.
Other states have also implemented plans to cut methane emissions, including Colorado and Pennsylvania. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has reversed Obama-era regulations seeking to slash the emissions, calling them unnecessary and harmful to development.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association did not say if it supported the proposals but said its members will continue providing technical expertise to the state.