Regarding the BLM proposed new rules for capturing methane, you (SFNM 4.21.16) reported Aubrey Dunn, NM Land Commissioner said, “the regulations are unnecessary and financially detrimental.” He is also quoted as saying the proposed new rule is “federal overreach and intrusion into state affairs that would result in undue environmental burden.”

I strenuously disagree with Mr. Dunn. Can you imagine any other industry telling the public that it’s too expensive to clean up their industrial pollution or too much of a burden to a make a safe product? The auto industry is responsible for producing safe cars and recalling defective vehicles. The food industry is held accountable for pulling tainted products from grocery shelves. This is known as the ‘cost of doing business.’

And to say that the proposed new rules are unnecessary and an overreach is absurd. Fracking and drilling have contributed to the methane ‘hotspot’ over the Four Corners. If the industry would have managed their product better, they might not be looking at new rules. Further, this is indeed a federal issue when the industry involved and our State representatives do not protect us from the pollution being created on our federal public lands.

Lynne Fischer

Santa Fe