Regulators Move to Reject Proposed LNG Storage Facility in Albuquerque
SANTA FE, NM – A top hearing examiner today recommended that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission reject a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas storage facility in northwest Albuquerque on grounds that it is not needed, provides no public benefit, and has unresolved concerns over safety and environmental impacts. The commission is expected to vote on the issue at a future meeting.
The following is a statement from James Povijua, Senior Advocate, Equity and Partnerships, in the Nature program at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council.) NRDC testified against the LNG facility.
“Rejecting construction of an LNG storage facility near a growing community, tribal land and cultural historic sites is a major win for public health and safety, the climate and affordability.
“Approving a major gas facility—as New Mexico strives to meet its climate goals, shifting to all-electric buildings to cut climate emissions—would have been a gross misuse of gas customer money, increasing customer bills without delivering any benefit to New Mexico households. Also, it would have ignored concerns about safety and environmental impacts to cultural historic sites, including Petroglyph National Monument.
“This unneeded gas facility wasn’t in the public interest; the overall climate emissions were unknown, and the New Mexico Gas Company did not do its due diligence for siting the facility. This proposal deserved to be turned down.”
The recommended decision to reject the LNG facility came from Anthony F. Medeiros, chief hearing examiner in Case No. 22-00309-UT sent today to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The case involved New Mexico Gas Company’s application for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a liquefied natural gas facility.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.