Oil and Gas Regulations

There were over 38,000 oil and gas spills in New Mexico last year. That’s according to a report released yesterday at the Legislature by environmental advocacy group WildEarth Guardians along with over 20 other organizations. While that number has declined over time, the volume of these spills is actually increasing.

In candid interview, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association leader says the industry is good for the state’s economy … and environment.

A new poll released this week by the National Wildlife Federation finds New Mexicans overwhelmingly support strong environmental safeguards and oversight of oil and gas development on public lands.

New Mexico’s biannual, 60-day lawmaking session ended after two breakneck final weeks with the Democratic-majority, volunteer legislators working right up to the noon deadline. In the end, it was another legislative session that confirmed business as usual for the state’s oil and gas industry.

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.

With little time, nearly 1,200 bills and disappearing federal partners, legislators slow-roll new oil and gas regulations.

New Mexico legislators have so far proposed 19 bills this session that could directly — and at times dramatically — change how the oil and gas industry operates in the state.

New Mexico faces a seminal moment in its relationship with the oil and gas industry as President Donald Trump vows to slash federal regulation, enforcement and funding.

An ambitious bill setting aggressive greenhouse gas emissions and reporting requirements has cleared its first hurdle in the Roundhouse.

Last month, the New Mexico Court of Appeals rejected a challenge by the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico to a rule that regulates ozone emissions. Environmental advocates say they are encouraged though industry leaders maintain this will hurt business.