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The gas industry needs to fix its leaks

Recently come to my attention is the new report by The Center For American Progress, “The Who’s Who of Methane Pollution in the Onshore Oil and Gas Production Sector.”

While strides have been made in this regard in recent years, it isn’t enough, because out of the 15 regions in the U.S. with the most methane pollution from gas production, New Mexico’s San Juan Basin ranked third in overall emissions at 5.2 million metric tons (in 2014) and No. 1 in per-well emissions at 227 metric tons per well.

Bad for the economy (New Mexico lost $50 million in revenue over the last five years from natural gas that has been wasted through leaks, venting and flaring) and terrible for our health, this situation needs to change. Companies can do better. If they don’t and soon, it will be hard to take them at their word when they claim to be good neighbors.

Rebecca Koeppen

Ignacio



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