Let’s Talk New Mexico, January 25, 8a: New Mexico is once again seeing record revenues as lawmakers meet in Santa Fe to create a budget. That’s in large part due to booming oil and gas production. The state is the second-largest oil producer in the country and among the top 10 in natural gas production. But a number of bills in the legislative session would make big changes if they pass. That includes updates to the Oil and Gas Act, such as setbacks for new wells from homes, schools, hospitals, and parks, increased bonding fees so the state isn’t stuck with abandoned wells, and increased civil penalties for major violations.
On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll hear from advocates, industry leaders, and a journalist who covers the industry and we want to hear from you. What do you want to see lawmakers do in this session around oil and gas? How can New Mexico diversify its economy so it’s not so reliant on oil and gas? How do we ensure people still have jobs to support their families if we transition away from fossil fuel production? Leave us a brief comment at the link below, email LetsTalk@kunm.org, or call in on Thursday morning at 505-277-5866.
Guests:
- Dylan Fuge, Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department
- James Kenney, Secretary, New Mexico Environment Department
- Jerry Redfern, journalist with Capital & Main
- Jason Sandel, Vice President of Aztec Well Servicing, board member of New Mexico Oil and Gas Association
- Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director, Western Environmental Law Center
- Kayley Shoup, Citizens Caring for the Future
Additional Reading
- Oil and Gas Act Changes House Bill 133
- New Mexico governor kickstarts effort to overhaul oil and gas regulation - Capital & Main
- New Mexico battles to clamp down on big oil - Capital & Main
- It’s settled: New Mexico to bankroll plugging of oil wells for Texas company - Capital & Main
- Oh the germaneity! Source New Mexico
- Environment Department pushes forward with strategic water supply - New Mexico Political Report
- Editorial: Environmentalists vs. New Mexico oil, finding middle ground - Albuquerque Journal
- Gov. Lujan Grisham wants New Mexico to spend big. Should oil and gas foot the bill? - Carlsbad Current-Argus
