Out from under the methane cloud

We’ve all heard what President-elect Trump has said he’ll do to our environment when he gets into office, and it’s frightening.

But we’re more concerned about what we are going to do. That’s you and me and other citizens who care about breathing clean air, drinking clean water and leaving a healthy, resilient state for our children. Working alongside our allies at Conservation Voters New Mexico, 350 New Mexico, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light and Western Environmental Law Center, we’re hosting a workshop about the critical methane rules and what we can do next to keep them on the books.

Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse pollutant than carbon dioxide. Methane escapes with other toxic air pollutants like volatile organic compounds that contribute to smog formation and carcinogens like benzene.

The Bureau of Land Management and Environmental Protection Agency put rules in place this year to reduce methane from new sources. With Trump appointees overseeing these agencies, we need to come together now to defend these important rules that protect our health. Join us for our “Out from Under the Methane Cloud” workshop on Dec. 7.  RVSP for the workshop now.

The “hot spot” of methane hanging over the San Juan Basin in northwestern New Mexico is so big, NASA thought their equipment was malfunctioning the first time they detected it. NASA launched a study and determined that half of the pollution comes from 25 large oil and gas sources venting, flaring and leaking methane into the air. During the workshop, we’ll dig deeper into the study to fully understand the impacts of methane on our air and health.

Speakers include:

• Jon Goldstein, who helps lead Environmental Defense Fund’s efforts to improve safeguards over the oil and gas industry and protect precious air and water resources in the Rocky Mountain region;
• Rock Ulibarri — a San Miguel County Commissioner for District 1 and former educator;
• Climate scientist Bernie Zak;
• Kim Howe of Dooda Fracking

Details:

• What: Workshop on reducing methane pollution in New Mexico
• Where: Albuquerque Mennonite Church, 1300 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
• When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 7

Will you join us as we organize and plan for our work together to protect our health against the incorming storm? RSVP now.

Hope to see you there!

Camilla Feibelman
Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter director, camilla.feibelman@sierraclub.org

Featured image: New Mexico’s methane hotspot.