Pause Fracking to Protect our Air - HB 33
The Problem - Unhealthy Air
Ozone levels in the Permian and San Juan Basins exceed the health-based limit of 70 parts per billion set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The American Lung Association gives 6 New Mexican counties “F” or “D” grades for ozone pollution.
These ongoing violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone are driven by pollution from oil and gas production.
Hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans living in these areas are being exposed to increasingly unhealthy air.
The Danger - Harm to Human Health
Even short-term exposure to high ozone levels can have severe health effects, including breathing problems, aggravation of lung diseases like asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, and increased risk of premature death.
Long-term exposure causes lasting health damage, including development of asthma, permanent damage to the airways, leading to pulmonary disease, increased likelihood of reproductive and developmental harms
Children and the elderly are the most susceptible to the negative health impacts.
The Solution - Pass HB 33
Pause New Oil and Gas Pollution
The Legislature can improve air quality and reduce health impacts for communities in the San Juan and Permian Basins.
The Legislature has the authority to regulate and limit ozone pollution.
The Legislature has a duty to protect our environment consistent with public health and welfare under our constitution’s Pollution Control Clause.
The Legislature must pause construction of new oil and gas pollution sources for as long as unhealthy ozone levels persist.