oil and gas

A number of proposals aimed at reforming how the oil and gas industry works in New Mexico have stalled out in this year’s legislative session with the help of key Democratic lawmakers.

Capital & Main's Jerry Redfern talks about his recent report on large oil and gas companies giving to New Mexico Democrats, contrary to where they overwhelmingly put their money nationally.

While inflation is finally coming down, many are still hurting in New Mexico. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and his Republican challenger in this year’s election, Nella Domenici, have differing proposals to provide some relief.

The data is clear: The village of Loving in the Permian Basin has been hit hard by waves of pollutants from Big Oil, yet the EPA hasn’t acted to force a cleanup.

With the EPA hamstrung by the Supreme Court and shaky state funding, New Mexico could face a future with reduced protections.

A state Environment Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspection of oil and gas facilities in New Mexico’s portion of the Permian Basin found more than half may be violating air quality rules. Environment Secretary James Kenney said the results are “cause for alarm.”

In the last legislative session, no reforms were made to oil and gas regulations despite bills to impose fines for oil spills, limit fresh water use and create buffers around schools. Looking forward to next year's session, the Legislative Finance Committee met in oil-rich southeastern New Mexico Tuesday to discuss reintroducing one of those failed proposals — setbacks for wells.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill overhauling New Mexico's primary oil and gas law. Indigenous activists have been tracking the legislation and KUNM spoke with Wendy Atcitty from New Mexico Native Vote about why she came to the Roundhouse.

Earlier this year, New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney said the Environmental Protection Agency would declare parts of the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas an Ozone Nonattainment Area by the end of the year. However, as 2023 comes to a close, the EPA still hasn’t made its move.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced at the U.N. climate summit that New Mexico will invest $500 million into reusing brackish and produced water to boost green energy production while withstanding drought. Reporter for Capital & Main Jerry Redfern told KUNM that, at this point, all we know about what the program would look like are the "broad strokes."