We have great news! After being pushed by oil and gas for months to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to roll back the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) methane rule, a motion to debate rolling back the rule failed by two votes in the U.S. Senate. This is a testament to your commitment and activism. The oil and gas lobby might have more money – but we have you and once again, you made this win possible.
New Mexico is literally ground zero for methane pollution. Not only is there a methane cloud the size of Delaware hovering over the San Juan Basin in the Four Corners region, our families and communities – largely indigenous, Latino, low income, and rural – live among the oil and gas infrastructure that releases methane and other dangerous chemicals into their air unchecked.
If the CRA was used to get rid of the methane rule, it would have blocked the BLM from EVER attempting a similar measure in the future. Not only is New Mexico in the top two for oil and gas production from federal lands, it has the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in wasted natural gas from these lands as well — to the tune of more than $100 million worth of gas a year. That’s not just an incredible waste of resources, it’s a dangerous release of pollution that we need to stop.
Thankfully, the U.S. Senate stood tall and blocked the CRA vote from moving forward, with Senators Udall and Heinrich leading the charge. It’s not always easy to do what they’re doing and they deserve our thanks. Call Senators Udall and Heinrich today to thank them for standing by you.»
Over the last year, CVNMEF supporters like you have taken more than 5,300 actions in support of this important rule and the EPA’s complimentary rule. It’s not every day you beat the oil and gas lobby, but each and every one of your actions lead to this moment. We can’t thank you enough.