Methane rule endures, leaving New Mexico opinions divided.

In voting not to repeal an Obama-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas production on federal lands, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday kept in place a policy that could have broad economic and environmental implications for New Mexico. And not surprisingly, opinions on the vote were sharply divided across a state that depends heavily on oil and gas revenues but also has the nation’s largest plume of methane gas hovering over its northwest corner.

The rules require companies to use new technology in modernizing oil and gas wells on federal and tribal lands to reduce venting or flaring into the atmosphere, one cause of climate warming.