Christopher Hudson House District 9 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Community leaders in New Mexico have expressed approval for the recent decision by the Oil Conservation Commission to implement new enforcement rules aimed at protecting the state's air and water resources from oil and gas pollution. This move follows legislation adopted during the 2019 session.
The administrative enforcement authority of the Oil Conservation Division was previously revoked after a 2009 New Mexico Supreme Court ruling related to Marbob. A report by Earthworks in 2019 highlighted that spills and violations within the industry nearly doubled over ten years, while fines imposed dropped to zero by 2018. Despite opposition from industry stakeholders, the commission unanimously agreed on new administrative rules empowering the state to penalize violators.
Bruce Baizel from Earthworks commended both the commission and the Lujan Grisham administration, stating that restoring enforcement authority will protect public health and environmental resources. Jordan Smith of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas emphasized that holding violators accountable is essential for maintaining high industry standards.
Ben Shelton of Conservation Voters New Mexico pointed out that these guidelines are crucial for redefining relationships with the oil and gas sector, stressing accountability for harmful impacts on community health. Jon Goldstein from Environmental Defense Fund noted this step aligns with efforts by the Lujan Grisham Administration to translate policy priorities into action.
Barbara Webber of Health Action New Mexico acknowledged that effective law enforcement had been lacking until now, while Ernie Atencio from National Parks Conservation Association emphasized its importance for safeguarding parks, public lands, and rural communities' wellbeing.
Sr. Joan Brown of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light spoke about moral responsibility towards environmental care, welcoming reforms that prioritize life. Mike Eisenfeld from San Juan Citizens Alliance praised increased oversight in northwestern regions where development is extensive.
Camilla Feibelman of Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter lauded the restoration of enforcement powers as a protective measure against pollution. Tom Singer from Western Environmental Law Center mentioned this as an essential step towards addressing climate change by curbing methane emissions, underscoring financial penalties as an effective deterrent for non-compliance.
