emissions

Last month, the New Mexico Court of Appeals rejected a challenge by the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico to a rule that regulates ozone emissions. Environmental advocates say they are encouraged though industry leaders maintain this will hurt business.

The database tracks violations and department enforcement, and is open to the public.

New Mexico’s top environment official says the federal government is going to move forward with addressing high levels of ozone in parts of the Permian Basin by the end of this year, ramping up air quality regulations in the highly productive and profitable oil and gas region. The state is ill-equipped to take on the additional work, according to State Environment Secretary James Kenney, which could mean losing its permitting power to the U.S. government.

As a top oil and gas producer, New Mexico has some of the strictest emissions rules in the country. That includes a state Environment Department rule that went into effect last year that aims to reduce ozone-causing air pollution by 260 million pounds a year. However, Environment Secretary James Kenney says the agency is falling short on enforcing the rules and is asking the Legislature to help change that.

Increasing drought and tree mortality rates are causing forests in the American Southwest to die earlier and quicker –– which can add fuel to devastating wildfires.

A federal judge on Wednesday denied efforts to delay an Obama era regulation that’s intended to reduced methane waste.Oil and gas industry representatives…

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week on a law limiting mercury and other emissions from power plants will not affect a coal-fired plant in northwestern…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a proposed permit for a northwestern New Mexico power plant.The operator of the Four…