Poll: NM Voters Strongly Support Methane and Climate Policies
Thursday, August 29, 2019
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico residents say they're ready for strong action to combat climate change, according to a new poll.
Anna Greenberg, managing partner at Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research, says two-thirds of 500 likely general election voters surveyed in July said they support a declining limit on carbon pollution.
She adds that when it comes to tougher regulations to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas, nearly three quarters of those polled expressed support for stronger rules.
"That was actually a 10-point increase from just a couple of years ago, so we went from about 62% to 72%,” Greenberg states. “The other thing that's notable is that 51% strongly support this, so the majority strongly support this."
Studies estimate that New Mexico's methane emissions are more than 1 million tons a year.
The poll was conducted by Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research for The Majority Institute.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a climate and methane waste executive order earlier this year with the goal of achieving a 45% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Her administration has also pledged to establish regulations to limit methane waste and pollution from the state's oil and gas industry.
Greenberg says the governor's proposals have raised awareness, with more voters embracing a move to 100% clean energy.
"We talked to the voters in New Mexico about why they think this is important,” she relates. “People really are concerned with the future and the future of their families in the state and what it would mean to not deal with carbon emissions. They're also really concerned about their land and water in the state."
The Environmental Defense Fund estimates comprehensive methane waste controls could generate at least $730 million in revenue for the state over the next decade, money that could instead be spent on education and state infrastructure projects.
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