Senate Memorial 78 moves to Senate Conservation Committee

Senator Mimi Stewart's, Senate Memorial 78 will be heard in the Senate Conservation Committee tomorrow at 8:00. If it passes it will go to the Senate Floor. This Memorial is a big step in recognizing the importance of Local Government regulations on the extractive industries.

 

Federal EPA regulations are already being rolled back. On the State level the NM Oil Conservation Division is incapable of increasing fines and even collecting fines from bad actors in the oil and gas industry because of a 2009 State Supreme Court ruling which makes it necessary for the NM Attorney General to file suit against violators. Because of political reasons this has not been done since 2009. 

 

SM 78 would show New Mexico Senate encouragement and support for Local Governments to protect the health,safety and general welfare of the citizens by establishing oil and gas ordinances.  

 

SM 78

BERNALILLO COUNTY OIL & GAS DEVELOPMENT

Mike Neas

Benalilllo Oil and Gas Development Bill in the Senate Rules Committee Needs Your Support!

WE NEED YOU HELP! to Get this Benalilllo Oil and Gas Development Bill passed out of the Senate Rules Committee
it is being Heard at 8:30 am 3/10/17 RM 321
Please attend watch online and
make the Call to the Senators Below **********Please support this Bill********** 

SENATE MEMORIAL 78
53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017
INTRODUCED BY
Mimi Stewart
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN BERNALILLO COUNTY. 

WHEREAS, there is potential for oil and gas development in Bernalillo county, especially in the western portion of the county; and
WHEREAS, a special use permit application for oil and gas drilling near Rio Rancho was submitted by SandRidge energy, inc., but later withdrawn; and
WHEREAS, although no immediate oil and gas activities in Bernalillo county are planned, current financial and energy circumstances indicate that this lack of current activity could change at any time; and
WHEREAS, any risk of contamination to the water supply in Bernalillo county can be minimized by proper design, installation and completion of wells; and
WHEREAS, pollution prevention costs much less than pollution remediation, and in many cases, pollution remediation may be not be technically or economically feasible; and
WHEREAS, oil and gas drilling can provide highly valuable hydrogeologic information about potable and non-potable water resources; and
WHEREAS, the issues related to oil and gas surface activities include trucking, transfer and disposal of oil and gas, production water and other byproducts associated with exploration and development; water quality; air quality; traffic; noise pollution; road density and disturbance; public access to information; and cost-sharing for inspections and enforcement, and these surface activities are minimally regulated by the oil conservation commission; and
WHEREAS, the complex nature of oil and gas exploration and development suggests that input is needed from a multidisciplinary group of technical experts to ensure that potential oil and gas activities are conducted in a manner that benefits all residents of the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo county while minimizing harm to the environment; and
WHEREAS, crafting technically sound oil and gas development regulations will take time and careful consideration of the facts, as well as consideration of public attitudes; and
WHEREAS, recent efforts that have taken place in San Miguel county illustrate the benefits of a proactive, collaborative effort between government, residents and technical experts to control the adverse impacts of oil and gas development; and
WHEREAS, taking a proactive position on the issue of oil and gas development in Bernalillo county and having regulations in place before oil and gas exploration and development activities begin will benefit the residents and the environment of Bernalillo county and the city of Albuquerque while allowing for prudent development of these resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Albuquerque city council and the board of county commissioners of Bernalillo county be requested to jointly convene a multidisciplinary task force to investigate the potential social, economic and environmental effects of oil and gas development in Bernalillo county; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Albuquerque city council and the board of county commissioners of Bernalillo county be requested to develop and implement appropriate regulations to minimize adverse social, economic and environmental effects of future oil and gas development in Bernalillo county; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor and city council of the city of Albuquerque and the manager and board of county commissioners of Bernalillo county.

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation…

Link has Info on contact for Senators. 

Senator Linda M. Lopez D Chair
Senator Jeff Steinborn D Vice Chair
Senator Gregory A. Baca R Member
Senator Jacob R. Candelaria D Member
Senator Stuart Ingle R Member
Senator Daniel A. Ivey-Soto D Member
Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino D Member
Senator Mary Kay Papen D Member
Senator Cliff R. Pirtle R Member
Senator Clemente Sanchez D Member
Senator Mark Moores