IPANM Releases Statement on EPA Decision Regarding Permian Basin’s Air Quality

IPANM (January 6, 2023) – In response to Wednesday’s EPA’s decision to omit a non-attainment ozone designation for the Permian Basin, IPANM offers the following statement:

“New Mexico’s oil and gas industry’s ingenuity and stewardship has made the production from the Permian among the cleanest in the world and achieved substantial emissions declines the past few years even with increasing production. The Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) believes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a correct decision to remove a non-attainment designation for the Permian Basin regarding the ozone standard. IPANM is hopeful that this is an indication that regulators are finally beginning to acknowledge the enormous strides industry has made to improve air quality in the region.

With yesterday’s decision, IPANM calls on both state and federal administrations to reevaluate recent, excessive air regulations that have used a non-attainment designation as justification for their efforts to stifle further production. IPANM strongly argued that such a designation is unfounded and would have been devastating to millions of people who rely on Permian production for heat, food, and countless other life-sustaining resources. ”

–Jim Winchester
Executive Director
Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico

Due to pending litigation by IPANM against the State of New Mexico’s Ozone Precursor rule, IPANM will not be further commenting on Wednesday’s EPA decision.

IPANM Releases Statement on EPA Decision Regarding Permian Basin’s Air Quality