New Navajo Nation Energy Policy needs to regulate Methane emission, highest in the nation

According to the Farmington Daily Times, the oil and gas operations (which include fracking) in the San Juan Basin has produced the highest methane gas emissions in the United States.  ("Methane emissions in New Mexico highest in oil and gas regions") Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that makes the planet hotter.  This map from the Daily Times shows the methane emissions in the four corners region, which is where the Navajo reservation is located.

Proponents of gas and oil say that the emissions is decreasing.  However, the newspaper reports that the Navajo Nation is directly impacted negatively.

“As this analysis makes clear, methane waste and other pollution are hitting Navajo communities particularly hard,” said Jon Goldstein, director of legislative and regulatory affairs at Environmental Defense Fund.

Luckily the Navajo Nation has an opportunity to enact tribal requirements and fill the gap left by the rollback of federal methane rules. We support the development of strong rules to protect the resources and well-being of the Navajo Nation.”

The Obama Administration put in some laws regulating this problem, but the Trump Administration removed the regulations and is encouraging full course energy development.

"Laurie Weahkee, president of the Native American Voters Alliance said the Navajo Nation could enact its own regulations to combat emissions and preserve air quality.

“The federal government under the Trump administration has abandoned the role of good steward, and the Navajo Nation must act where it can to protect its resources and its people from unfair exploitation,” she said.

“Without federal protections from the Bureau of Land Management’s waste rule or EPA’s methane rule, it’s up to us to affirm our autonomy and protect our communities – stopping methane waste does both.”

Our white brothers and sisters in the energy industry have lost sight of the fact that we are all in this world together. We need to take care of Nahasdzaan Nihima. The earth is their mother too. As a sovereign nation, the Navajo Nation has an opportunity to implement regulations, put a check on Trump's pro-energy policy, and make a dent in the high rate of methane gas emissions. Now is the time as the new Navajo Nation energy policy is being created.

Council Delegate Mark Freeland is on the right track when he states that he wants action on climate change.  ("Delegate wants action on climate change").  He needs to be a part of the planning for the new energy policy.  

Here is an interactive map showing the density of oil and gas operations and the subsequent methane emissions.  

This is a picture from the interactive map showing all the oil and gas activity in the San Juan Basin.