Complete list of press releases

(LONDON – 11 June, 2019)  The UK government will announce tomorrow it will seek to establish in national law a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once adopted, the UK would be the first major industrialised economy to make carbon neutrality by 2050 part of a national legal framework for addressing climate change.

“This ambitious action is a sign of how committed the UK is to leading the world in responding to the global climate crisis, and to stepping up to take the necessary actions. As the first major industrialised country to legislate for a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, the UK is demonstrating the leadership the world so urgently needs. Other countries can and must take steps to up their ambitions too.

“This is a big step forward for the UK, and for our shared global home. It won’t be easy. But one promising approach to help reach the target is a provision in the Climate Change Act that allows the government to introduce a whole economy cap-and-trade system and tradeable incentives. The government should commit to a public consultation so these powerful policy tools can be used to get us to our goals cost effectively.”

• Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund Europe

 

Background:

The UK’s Committee on Climate Change has advised the UK adopt this ambitious new target – committing to net zero emissions in the UK by 2050 – based on recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The new target will update the Climate Change Act, which entered into law in 2008 with huge cross-party support, and created a legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to a 1990 baseline. The Act allows changes to this target if significant changes arise in underlying assumptions.

Once the new target is enshrined in law, the country’s 5-year carbon budgets must then be set in line with meeting it. The new target would inform the next carbon budget, the sixth, which covers the period 2032-2037.

The Committee on Climate Change’s technical assessments made clear that the UK could meet this goal with minimal “cost” to GDP if policies were introduced urgently. The Climate Change Act requires the government to publish plans to meet the budgets, and has to report to parliament on progress. Part Three of the Act gives the Government powers to introduce comprehensive policies to limit emissions across the economy and create markets in cost effective zero emissions solutions. They have yet to be used as emissions have been falling this decade, however, emissions projections for the next decade show the UK is not on track to meet its fourth and fifth carbon budgets.

Before joining EDF Baroness Worthington previously launched the Friends of the Earth campaign that helped secure the Climate Change Act and was a leading member of the civil service team that drafted the Government Bill presented to Parliament in 2006.  

(WASHINGTON) Yesterday, Devon Energy announced it is establishing a voluntary target to reduce methane emissions from its U.S. oil and natural gas production operations. Devon’s ambition is to reach a methane-intensity rate of 0.28 percent by 2025.The company’s methane-intensity rate is calculated based on emissions factors from Devon-operated oil and natural gas production facilities. The company also plans to expand their leak detection and repair (LDAR) program.

“It is encouraging that Devon has committed to a methane target, and agreed to include emissions from some assets not covered by mandatory reporting frameworks. Methane target setting is the new normal, as responsible companies understand the strong business case for enhancing methane management. Companies like Devon with methane targets now need to verify their methane footprint with increasingly accurate and transparent emissions data, including from field measurement.”

“With each company that steps forward with voluntary methane targets, it becomes even more apparent that the Trump administration is wildly out of sync with leading industry practices. Leading companies must support preserving nationwide methane standards to demonstrate the sincerity of their own commitments and to bring all of industry along. Voluntary commitments not backed by mandatory emission cuts keep American natural gas on a collision course with ever rising demands for cleaner energy.”

• Ben Ratner, Senior Director, Environmental Defense Fund

(Oakland, CA – June 10, 2019) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and a broad coalition of health, environmental, tribal citizen and Western groups are asking a court to reinstate the protections that reduce the waste of natural gas on public and tribal lands.

The Trump administration is trying to get rid of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Waste Prevention Rule, which reduces the waste of natural gas – a valuable public resource – saving taxpayers money while reducing harmful smog-forming and toxic pollution and emissions of methane, a potent climate pollutant.

The groups filed a motion for summary judgment with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Friday asking that it vacate the Trump administration’s recission and reinstate the Waste Prevention Rule.

“The Trump administration’s rollback squanders money that belongs to the American taxpayers, and is putting the health of American families at risk by exposing them to more dangerous air pollution,” said EDF Attorney Rosalie Winn.

More than $2 billion of American taxpayer-owned natural gas has been wasted through leaks or intentional venting and flaring since 2013 – money that could have gone toward schools, healthcare and other vital public projects across the West.

Congress required that BLM ensure companies drilling on public and tribal lands use “all reasonable precautions to prevent waste.” BLM created the Waste Prevention Rule to fulfill that mandate. The rule requires operators to control the venting, flaring, and leaks that waste natural gas, using proven and widely-available technologies that are already in use in the industry and already required by leading states.

But former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke eliminated all measures of the Waste Prevention Rule that would result in natural gas savings, even though his own agency found that rolling back the rule will cost Americans more than one billion dollars. Zinke justified the rollback in part by saying the Waste Prevention Rule is redundant because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has methane regulations. However, the Trump administration is also trying to roll back those EPA methane protections.

EDF and its allies filed a lawsuit last October challenging Zinke’s rollback. The states of California and New Mexico have also filed suit.

“BLM admits the Rescission decreases energy production … and will have no effect on jobs or investment … This illogical reversal is just the latest in a string of unlawful actions BLM has taken to rid private companies of their obligation to conserve public resources,” the groups say in their brief.

The brief also says that with the recission, “BLM runs roughshod over its statutory duties to prevent waste, fails to base its changed positions on evidence and rationally explain them, and ignores significant environmental impacts.”

Sierra Club, Los Padres Forestwatch, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, National Wildlife Federation, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Fort Berthold Protectors of Water and Earth Rights, the Montana Environmental Information Center, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Wilderness Workshop, Wildearth Guardians, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Earthjustice, Clean Air Task Force, and Western Environmental Law Center joined EDF on the brief.

You can read more about the BLM Waste Prevention Rule, including all legal documents, on EDF’s website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(SANTA FE, N.M. – June 7, 2019) Today, New Mexico launched its effort to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The state announced a stakeholder process, including a series of public meetings this summer, to inform new rules aimed at reducing the excessive amount of methane – a potent climate pollutant and valuable energy resource -- that oil and gas companies release into the atmosphere through leaking, venting and flaring. The announcement follows Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's Executive Order that directs state agencies to develop comprehensive, statewide methane rules and to work together to reduce 45 percent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

"Governor Lujan Grisham is fulfilling her campaign promise to protect New Mexico's children and families from oil and gas pollution and to crack down on the waste of hundreds of millions of dollar's worth of natural gas each year. Strong, enforceable methane standards will protect the health and well-being of future generations of New Mexicans and ensure oil and gas companies don't waste a resource that costs New Mexico's schools tens of millions per year in lost tax and royalty revenue."

· Jon Goldstein, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

New Mexico's methane problem has been making headlines since 2014 when researchers discovered a massive methane hotspot over the San Juan Basin – the most concentrated methane plume ever measured in the United States. Subsequent research indicates a growing methane pollution problem in the booming Permian basin as well.

A threat to health: Methane that leaks from oil and gas equipment contributes to climate change. It also leaks along with other pollution that can trigger asthma attacks, cause cancer and increase smog. In some oil- gas-producing regions of New Mexico, smog concentrations are getting dangerously close to reaching levels that U.S. scientists say is unsafe.

A threat to the economy: Methane is also the main component of natural gas – a valuable energy resource. Analyses indicate that each year, New Mexico's oil and gas companies waste $275 million worth of natural gas, which costs the state more than $40 million in lost royalty and tax revenue that could fund infrastructure improvements and public education. ost-effective regulations implemented in other oil- and gas-producing states have been effective at preventing pollution and energy waste. Meanwhile, with oil and gas development rapidly increasing in New Mexico, if action isn't taken increasing production will lead to even higher pollution levels.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, Pennsylvania State Democratic Senate Leader Jay Costa circulated a co-sponsorship memo in advance of introducing legislation that will instruct the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to enact a limit on carbon pollution from the power sector. The goal as set out in the memo is to reduce power sector carbon pollution by 90 percent by 2040 relative to baseline emissions. Placing a declining limit on pollution – and enabling a flexible, market-based framework for compliance – will secure cost-effective pollution reductions. This will drive investments in economic development, renewable energy and energy efficiency, helping consumers save money on electric bills.

Pennsylvania is the third largest greenhouse gas polluting state and is home to the fifth dirtiest power sector in the nation. A declining limit on power sector carbon emissions is critical to achieving the climate goals laid out by Gov. Tom Wolf in his January 8 executive order and demonstrating leadership consistent with Pennsylvania's commitment under the U.S. Climate Alliance.

"Placing a limit on power sector carbon emissions is the most effective way for Pennsylvania to value zero- and low-emission power generation assets. Implementing a competitive market-driven system will set Pennsylvania on the road toward meeting Gov. Wolf's climate goals, guarantee the critical reductions in pollution needed from the power sector and begin to develop the policy framework necessary to achieve a carbon free economy by mid-century."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, Pennsylvania State Democratic Senate Leader Jay Costa circulated a co-sponsorship memo in advance of introducing legislation that will instruct the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to enact a limit on carbon pollution from the power sector. The goal as set out in the memo is to reduce power sector carbon pollution by 90 percent by 2040 relative to baseline emissions. Placing a declining limit on pollution – and enabling a flexible, market-based framework for compliance – will secure cost-effective pollution reductions. This will drive investments in economic development, renewable energy and energy efficiency, helping consumers save money on electric bills.

Pennsylvania is the third largest greenhouse gas polluting state and is home to the fifth dirtiest power sector in the nation. A declining limit on power sector carbon emissions is critical to achieving the climate goals laid out by Gov. Tom Wolf in his January 8 executive order and demonstrating leadership consistent with Pennsylvania's commitment under the U.S. Climate Alliance.

"Placing a limit on power sector carbon emissions is the most effective way for Pennsylvania to value zero- and low-emission power generation assets. Implementing a competitive market-driven system will set Pennsylvania on the road toward meeting Gov. Wolf's climate goals, guarantee the critical reductions in pollution needed from the power sector and begin to develop the policy framework necessary to achieve a carbon free economy by mid-century."

(Washington, D.C. – June 5, 2019) 13 U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that will help ensure that the U.S. uses a robust and transparent process based in sound science and economics to account for the costs of climate pollution.

The bill, the Pollution Transparency Act, is sponsored by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. It addresses the social cost of carbon, which measures the cost of damages caused by climate change.

“Americans across the country are already suffering because of climate change – in terms of health and safety, but also financially. These costs are real and we need to be taking them into account,” said Susanne Brooks, EDF’s Senior Director of Climate Policy and Analysis. “This bill will help ensure that we’re making decisions that are based on the best available science and economics.”

A group of high-level experts from across the federal government developed rigorous estimates for the cost of carbon pollution, through a transparent process based on peer-reviewed science and economics.

In 2017, President Trump issued an executive order withdrawing those estimates as government policy, and directing federal agencies to pick their own estimates instead.

The Pollution Transparency Act would require agencies to incorporate the costs of climate change in their decision-making process and re-establish the interagency process to update the estimates as needed.

NEWS RELEASE(WASHINGTON, DC – June 3, 2019) Today the United States House of Representatives passed a bipartisan compromise that provides much needed disaster relief for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. It also provides funds for farmers in the Midwest suffering from this spring's extreme floods, for military bases that were damaged by storms, and relief to residents of North Carolina and Florida still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Michael, and to victims of other recent extreme weather events. The measure now moves to President Trump's desk for a signature.

"This aid package is a step in the right direction and shows Congress' resolve to provide Puerto Rico with the funds it urgently needs to rebuild resiliently. While more needs to be done for the island's communities and families as they get back on their feet, the opportunity to build on this momentum is clear: we must create a pathway based on renewable energy as a pillar for Puerto Rico to grow and thrive long into the future."·

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

(WASHINGTON– June 3, 2019) What’s for dinner on World Oceans Day, Saturday, June 8th? That’s the question EDF Oceans is asking as we spread the word about healthy, sustainable and sometimes overlooked fish species that would be a tasty and environmentally friendly option for dinner.

The United States has seen the amazing recovery of many of its fish stocks thanks to sustainable practices and management systems. However, oftentimes the fish stocks that are the most sustainable are not the most popular with consumers, encouraging unsustainable sourcing of popular fish and hurting American fishermen who are doing the most for our environment.

EDF’s Oceans program wants to change this by recommending some seafood options that some Americans may not have tried before, but that are both sustainable and delicious.

“Eat your way to a healthier ocean this World Oceans Day by trying out a new sustainable seafood. Being adventurous at the fish counter is one of the best ways you can personally help the environment and support the sustainable seafood industry,” said Tim Fitzgerald Director of Impact for EDF’s Oceans Program.

Below are just a few environmentally-friendly fish stocks to consider, along with some suggested recipes to try.

 

East Coast- Monkfish

This unconventional looking fish has it all, its tail is sweet, firm and mildly flavored: the perfect choice for picky eaters and seafood enthusiasts alike.

After being declared overfished in 1999, fisheries managers adopted a number of conservation measures that led to monkfish, also called angler fish, being rebuilt in 2013. After years of being red-listed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program, the fishery was upgraded to “Good Alternative” in 2012.

Monkfish can be found either fresh or frozen in a variety of preparations including whole, tail fillets either with the skin on or off.

 

Gulf of Mexico- Red Snapper

Red Snapper is not just a popular and delicious fish across the U.S., it’s also one of America’s greatest comeback stories.

Less than 15 years ago, the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery was on the verge of collapse due to decades of poor management. In 2007, commercial fishermen shifted to a secure fishing rights system that meant more predictability for fishermen and businesses, as well as a sustainable way forward for this iconic species.

The fishery has rebounded in dramatic fashion. By 2013 snapper was taken off the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “avoid” list and is currently listed as a “good alternative”.
 

This stock’s recovery has meant good news for fishermen, the seafood industry, chefs and consumers who love to eat this highly versatile and easy-to-prepare fish. Try it grilled, with a light dressing of lemon and thyme.

Make sure you are getting authentic Gulf Red Snapper using programs like Gulf Wild.

West Coast- Chilipepper Rockfish and Yellowtail Rockfish

Don’t let the name confuse you, Chilipepper Rockfish won’t set your mouth on fire. But it is one of the more than 90 groundfish species that include cod, sole and more that are plentiful, sustainably harvested and delicious.

West coast Groundfish used to be wildly popular in the ’80s and ’90s. Unfortunately, unsustainable catch limits led many fish species to be overexploited, causing major problems for fish and fishermen.

In 2000, the U.S. Pacific groundfish fishery was on the verge of collapse, and the federal government declared it a disaster.

Fishermen, regulators and conservationists, including Environmental Defense Fund, worked together to design a rights-based management plan that went into operation in 2011.

Now, less than 20 years after it was declared a disaster, the fishery has rebounded spectacularly, with several overfished stocks completely rebuilt, many ahead of schedule.

Fishermen are now able to harvest millions of pounds of abundant and sustainable rockfish and other species, with last year having the largest volume of groundfish caught since the fishery was declared a disaster in 2000.

However, after years of these tasty fish being less available in the market, fishermen are not seeing the same demand for these delicious fish as there used to be. You can help by seeking out recovered groundfish species like Chilipepper Rockfish and Yellowtail Rockfish for dinner this World Oceans Day.

Positively Groundfish is a great resource for more information about the amazing recovery of the West Coast Groundfish Fishery.

Recipes

Monkfish

Balsamic Glazed Monkfish- from Food Republic

Monkfish in Tomato-Garlic Sauce- from Food and Wine

Monkfish Nuggets- from The Food Table (perfect for kids!)

Red Snapper

Grilled Whole Red Snapper with Mint Chimichurri – from Edible Austin

Broiled Red Snapper Fillets With Coriander Butter – from the New York Times

Crumb-Coated Red Snapper – from Taste of Home

Groundfish

One-Dish Rockfish – from All Recipes

Pan-Roasted Fish Fillets With Herb Butter Recipe- from the New York Times

Truly NW Rockfish Crudo- from Positively Groundfish (scroll to the bottom of the page for recipe card)

(Washington, D.C. – June 3, 2019) EPA’s refusal to publicly release crucial materials related to its proposal to rollback America’s Clean Car Standards means the proposal should be withdrawn, or at least reopened, according to comments filed with the agency by EDF and its allies.

The administration has refused to let the public see the latest OMEGA model – even though the model’s calculations have long been used to assess clean car protections. EDF and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the information. EPA did not fulfill that request as the law requires, and the two groups have filed a lawsuit in the matter that is now pending in court.

EDF and NRDC joined the Center for Biological Diversity, Public Citizen, and the Union of Concerned Scientists on Friday to file formal comments with EPA urging it to reconsider its proposed rollback in light of the lawsuit and the underlying missing critical information:

“[T]he flawed Proposed Rule must be withdrawn. At minimum, EPA must release the latest full version of OMEGA, place it in the SAFE rulemaking docket, and then reopen the formal comment period for at least 60 days so that the public may respond to this critical information. Finalizing the Proposed Rule without these steps would be arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful.” (Comments, page 7)

The Clean Car Standards have been in effect since 2012. They reduce climate pollution, improve fuel efficiency and save American families money at the pump. The Trump administration is trying to drastically weaken them.

Public records indicate the latest version of the OMEGA model would show the current Clean Car Standards can be achieved by automakers at a substantially lower cost than alleged by the administration. But the administration has refused to release the model and their rollback proposal completely disregards its existence. Instead, the proposed rollback is based on a different and conflicting model – the CAFE model.

“EPA has not disputed that the results of its own modeling, which it presented to the White House Office of Management and Budget as part of interagency review of the Proposed Rule, undermine the CAFE model analysis underlying the Proposed Rule … When the agency applied its own, purpose-built and peer-reviewed OMEGA model to the [proposal], its results diverged from those of the CAFE model … Yet despite … its own expert analysis diverging from the CAFE model’s results, EPA relied exclusively on the CAFE model in the Proposed Rule.” (Comments, page 4)

In fact, EPA proposed to rely exclusively on the CAFE model even though its staff had not been given critical information about the assumptions underlying that model – a point underscored in a recent memo published by EPA’s Science Advisory Board.

The Trump administration’s own analysis found that its proposed Clean Cars rollback would result in eight billion more tons of climate pollution and 60,000 lost jobs. A broad coalition has spoken out against rolling back the Clean Car Standards – including 18 states and the District of Columbia, a coalition of cities and counties, energy companies and other businesses, and even auto manufacturers. But EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler has said the rollback may be finalized this summer.

You can read the filed comments here and supporting files here.

(SAN JUAN, PR) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) establishes its presence in Puerto Rico with Agustín Carbó, formerly from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, who joins the organization as Senior Manager. Based in San Juan, Carbó will oversee the development of a community-focused microgrids project, which aims to increase access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity, particularly in rural areas of the island.

“Agustin Carbó is one of Puerto Rico’s foremost experts on energy and environmental law and policy,” said Daniel Whittle, Senior Director, Caribbean Initiatives at Environmental Defense Fund. “He intimately understands how the island’s electricity system works and the local concerns associated with it. The potential for this microgrid project to help transform the island’s energy system has never been higher.”

As a Senior Manager for EDF’s Energy program, Carbó will interact and collaborate with communities, public officials and non-governmental organizations to advance energy reform, finance and technology initiatives to steer Puerto Rico toward a cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient energy future.

“Strengthening Puerto Rico’s electric system is key to the island’s economic development and to creating a climate-resilient society,” said Carbó. “I am honored to join Environmental Defense Fund and work to empower Puerto Rico’s communities to implement a long term solution to the island’s energy crisis.”

Prior to joining EDF, Carbó was the first Chairman of the Puerto Rico Energy Commission (now the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau), Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority, and has also held positions at Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

EDF President Fred Krupp unveiled the organization’s vision to create a lasting solution to Puerto Rico’s energy crisis at BlackStart 2019 in close collaboration with stakeholders on the island. EDF’s approach is all-inclusive and combines technology and energy reform with public grants, philanthropic funds and impact-focused private capital to demonstrate the feasibility of low-carbon microgrids. These mini-energy service stations fuel up on solar power and run backed by battery storage and intelligent software. Linked to the larger grid — ensuring the daily dispatch of affordable, clean and reliable energy — the flexible design of these systems will allow them to separate from the grid during emergencies, like Hurricane Maria, to keep the lights on in remote parts of the island. For more information, visit www.edf.org/PuertoRico.

(Denver, CO – May 30, 2019) Colorado Governor Jared Polis today signed a landmark bill that sets some of the strongest statutory targets in the country for reducing the pollution that causes climate change, and will protect the health and well-being of the state’s families and communities.

The new law, HB19-1261, makes Colorado the first state in the U.S. to put into statute both strong short-term and long-term goals for cutting climate pollution while requiring the state to develop and implement regulations to achieve these critical reductions in a timely manner.

“This law will help protect Colorado families, our economy, and our state’s mountains and working landscapes from the dangers of climate change,” said EDF senior director of climate regulatory strategy Pam Kiely. “With today’s signing ceremony, Colorado has become a national leader in this fight. We now have rigorous short-term science-based climate targets, a clear obligation to meet them, and a long-term climate target that is stronger than any other state in the continental U.S.”

Coloradans are already suffering from climate change and face more severe threats in the future – including intensifying and more frequent wildfires, worsening summer smog that causes asthma attacks and other serious health problems, catastrophic flooding, and prolonged drought that threatens farmers and national and state parks.

The law signed by Governor Polis today establishes rigorous climate pollution reduction goals that are anchored in science.

Under the law, Colorado will cut climate pollution by (relative to 2005 pollution levels):

• At least 26 percent by 2025
• At least 50 percent by 2030
• At least 90 percent by 2050

The law also requires the development of cost-effective solutions to achieve the pollution cuts.

The Colorado House of Representatives passed the bill overwhelmingly in April, and the state Senate passed it earlier this month. The measure had broad support across the state, with Xcel Energy, leading businesses, and environmental groups like EDF and Conservation Colorado all backing it.

The bill was one of seven environmental and clean energy measures that Governor Polis signed in a ceremony today. The other measures include new clean energy standards for appliances and building energy codes, transformative energy policy requiring Colorado’s largest utility to reduce carbon pollution by a nation-leading 80 percent by 2030, and a measure to collect more long-term climate change data.

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is now on deck to develop regulations to meet the state goals, with a rulemaking to be proposed by July of 2020.

(COLUMBUS, OH) E-Cubed Policy Associates yesterday released a study confirming that FirstEnergy Solutions’ Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear plants are profitable, and that bailing them out under HB 6 would raise electricity rates for Ohioans while delivering no emissions benefits. These findings come just a day before the Ohio House of Representatives is likely to vote on HB 6, which would bail out FirstEnergy’s uneconomic power plants at a cost of $300 million per year and destroy state programs that encourage energy efficiency and clean energy. The report was written by Dr. Paul Sotkiewicz, president of E-Cubed Associates and former chief economist for PJM Interconnection.

“Independent research now confirms that the entire pretext for bailing out FirstEnergy’s power plants is bogus. Why should Ohioans be forced to bail out a profitable company?”

• Dick Munson, Director, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs

(ROSWELL, N.M.) Today Environmental Defense Fund and The Wilderness Society filed a formal protest of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) plans to lease parcels of public land in southeastern New Mexico’s booming Permian Basin for oil and gas development without adequate controls to limit methane waste. BLM estimates this sale, and ones like it, over the next 20 years could add up to 6,000 new wells to the Carlsbad region. This development could lead to the waste of $16.5 million worth of natural gas per year over the next decade, and add over 81,000 tons of harmful pollution to the atmosphere every year.

The most current scientific estimates from New Mexico show a large and growing methane waste problem, particularly from rapidly growing oil and gas development in the state’s Permian Basin where this lease sale is located. EDF estimates that venting, flaring and leaks waste $275 million of natural gas per year across New Mexico. Flaring alone accounts for nearly $70 million worth of natural gas waste in New Mexico per year.

If captured, this would translate to $43 million per year in additional tax and royalty revenue that could otherwise be invested in things like education and infrastructure. EDF’s analysis estimates upstream oil and gas operations in New Mexico emit at least 1 million metric tons of methane a year and the three counties in New Mexico’s Permian Basin (Eddy, Lea and Chaves) where this lease sale is located account for more than 70% of these emissions.

“By allowing for tens of millions of dollars in more waste and hundreds of thousands of tons in increased pollution, the Bureau of Land Management is putting industry interests ahead of New Mexico communities and taxpayers. As BLM abdicates its responsibility to the people of New Mexico, the state must step up to the plate to reduce methane pollution and waste.”

• Jon Goldstein, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

“More methane is wasted from oil and gas production on federal and tribal lands in New Mexico than any other state in the nation, and yet the Bureau of Land Management continues to carelessly operate as if this fact does not exist. Moving ahead with lease sales in New Mexico that do not establish controls to limit methane waste is a bad deal for taxpayers, public health and the environment.”

• Chase Huntley, Senior Director, Energy and Climate Program at The Wilderness Society

(Galveston, Texas – May 28, 2019) If your summers usually include heading out on a fishing trip in the Gulf, new rules expected in 2020 may help give anglers more fishing opportunity while allowing the iconic red snapper to continue to rebuild. NOAA and the Gulf states have agreed to a new approach that gives each Gulf state the authority to set red snapper fishing seasons for private anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. Anglers may recall that a pilot using this approach began last year, and if signed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, this new rule will make that change standard in the years to come.   

To help highlight these changes and what they mean for anglers and conservation, Environmental Defense Fund has issued the following list of the top five changes (with links to relevant resources) that anglers can use to be in-the-know before they hit the water this season.

1) Seasons will vary by state: There is no longer a uniform federal season. Gulf states will now manage out to 200 miles and can set their own state and federal water seasons. This may mean that some states only allow fishing on weekends or weekdays through certain months. So anglers now need to check each state’s season before planning a trip. Information for each state can be found here: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

2) A state-specific license is needed: Anglers need a license for the state in which they plan to land the fish. Additionally, if you are in possession of red snapper in any state waters, you need the license for that state. So if you launch and land in Texas but also possess red snapper in state waters off Louisiana, you must have a Texas and Louisiana license. The same is true for anglers launching from Alabama that fish and possess red snapper in Florida state waters. Know the different rules before you go. The Fish Rules app helps identify all the differences between regulations in state and federal waters off each state.

3) Self-reporting: Each state is collecting their own red snapper harvest data using dockside data collection. All states have electronic reporting apps to make it easier, and some require that you do so. Regardless of requirements, angler self-reported data is essential because it helps scientists and managers understand changes in fishing effort and fish populations. Reporting requirements for each state can be found at the following links: Florida’s iAngler Gulf Red Snapper App, Alabama’s Snapper Check, Mississippi’s Tails n’ Scales, Louisiana’s Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) App and Texas’ iSnapper App.

4)  Quota overages: States are required to adhere to specific private-angler quotas, measured in pounds of fish landed. So, projected seasons can end early or extend longer if catch is different than projected (for example, if more anglers are participating than anticipated, average size of fish is larger than anticipated, or offshore weather is nicer than expected). States that stay within their quota this year won’t have to reduce total harvest next year, but states that overrun their quota will have to pay back those overages next year.

5) Private anglers only: It’s important to note that these new rules are for private anglers only. Anglers fishing on charter boats and party boats will have a different federal season.

These changes are the result of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council passing Amendment 50 in April 2019, a new rule that tasks each state with managing its own allocation of red snapper. The changes also task states with the responsibility of setting state and federal fishing seasons and monitoring harvest levels. While it will go into effect in 2020, it will continue a pilot already in place that runs through the rest of 2019.  

This is another example of how the Magnuson-Stevens Act is working to protect our nation’s fish stocks through a regional, stakeholder-driven process. The Gulf Council was able to customize this solution for private boat-owning anglers without hurting tens-of-thousands of anglers who fish from charter boats or the commercial fishermen that provide the country with seafood.

“Perhaps the most important item to note is the opportunity to self-report your catch, which is something we urge everyone to do,” said Sepp Haukebo, a recreational fisherman who also leads EDF’s work with private anglers in the Gulf. “Even if reporting is not required by your state, the data you provide can help ensure the long term sustainability of the resource and access to red snapper for future generations of anglers. So, get out there, have a great time and don’t forget to report your catch each day.”