north Monday, December 21, 2009Rio Arriba County is not unfamiliar with oil and gas drilling. From the 1980's to 2008, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico had reportedly 7,597 oil and gas wells. In 2009, more than 400 additional wells have been or are intended to be drilled. In May 2009, Rio Arriba County adopted an oil and gas ordinance in regards to Approach Operating, LLC targeting the water-rich, fragile ecosystem of the Rio Chama Watershed for exploratory drillings (aka, "wildcatting"). Up to this time, the oil and gas drilling had primarily been the San Juan Basin portion of Rio Arriba County.
In addition, the County protested to the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) 24 applications to drill (APDs) by Approach Operating , LLC. In July 2008, Governor Richardson directed the OCD to draft special rules for oil and gas drilling in certain areas of Rio Arriba County (i.e., Tierra Amarilla and portions of the Rio Chama Watershed). This did not occur. Subsequently, Approach Operating, LLC sought dismissal of the case and the County agreed.
Presently, the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) has approved eight APDs and Rio Arriba County Planning and Zoning Committee has recommended for approval three special use permits for five oil and gas wells in the Rio Chama Watershed of Rio Arriba County. On December 29, 2009, the three County permits will go before the Rio Arriba Board of County Commissioners in Tierra Amarilla. The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm:
Rio Arriba County:
For Contact, please go through the ESPANOLA OFFICEThe meeting will be held at the TA OFFICE:
PO Box 127
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-7254
Fax: (575) 588-7810
Website: www.rio-arriba.org
By Ann davis, BEN CASSELMAN And REBECCA SMITH
Excerpt:
"The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts widening use of natural gas for power. In an outlook published Monday, the agency said natural gas will account for 46% of all power plant capacity additions from 2008 to 2035.
The abundance of gas is largely thanks to a new technique to unlock dense rock first tried successfully in the 1990s and early 2000s in the Barnett Shale under Fort Worth, Texas. Riding this success and fueled by cheap financing, energy companies fanned out across the U.S. in search of new fields.
What they found has fundamentally reshaped the industry's understanding of how much gas lay beneath the U.S. Huge new fields in Louisiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere could give the country a 100-year supply of gas, a sharp reversal from earlier predictions that the U.S. would begin relying heavily on gas imported from overseas. After years of decline, U.S. gas production shot up 12% from 2005 to 2008.
One of the most unexpected signs of the growing comfort that gas is becoming a more stable commodity are the negotiations between producers and consumers over long-term contracts for gas supplies.
Larry Nichols, chairman and CEO of gas-producer Devon Energy Corp., said that in the past, companies were forced to search for new gas each year, making long-term contracts impractical. But the recent shale discoveries are different—they are huge and extremely reliable, meaning they can reliably strike multi-year commitments to provide gas. Devon, for example, has drilled 4,000 wells in the Barnett Shale without a single dry hole, and still has thousands of places left in the field to drill.
"There's certainly the potential for the natural-gas producers and the utilities to develop a new relationship that has not been possible historically," Mr. Nichols said." Aritcle>>>>
By Jessica Resnick-Ault
"(Bloomberg) — Exxon Mobil's (XOM) $30 billion purchase of XTO Energy (XTO), the largest U.S. petroleum takeover since 2006, may signal a wave of acquisitions as major producers seek to tap growing gas and oil output from shale formations.
Irving, Texas-based Exxon announced its deal yesterday, saying it plans to make XTO, the largest natural-gas producer in the U.S., the centerpiece of its global expansion in shale developments. XTO is among companies that drove a surge in U.S. fuel output by exploiting so-called shale plays, where rock formations are fractured with water and sand to make gas flow.
Exxon's stamp of approval on shale plays may be a watershed, encouraging companies that have already made investments in the segment to expand their positions, said Ryan Cournoyer, head of energy trading at Lighthouse Financial Group LLC in New York. The largest U.S. energy company also will help stabilize gas prices, making it easier for buyers and sellers to come together on acquisition values, he said.
"Exxon Mobil acquiring XTO is going to put a floor on natural-gas prices longer term," Cournoyer said. "These guys are finally coming out and acknowledging that they need to grow their reserves longer term."
Likely buyers include major oil companies that are struggling to boost output, such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Total (TOT), said Ted Harper of Frost Investment Advisors in Houston and Philip Weiss, an analyst at Argus Research Corp. in New York. They said takeover targets may include independent producers like Anadarko Petroleum Corp., EOG Resources (EOG), EnCana Corp., Ultra Petroleum (UPL), and Range Resources (RRC)." More>>>>
"Asked why his company pursued "green" drilling and fracturing fluid innovations for drilling in the North Sea -- products that it now sometimes uses onshore too -- BJ Services' Dunlap was unequivocal: The law made him do it.
"It's because of local regulations," Dunlap said. "That's typically what drives us to develop and bring to market these environmentally friendly products."' Article>>>>
Versions of this story were published in the Albany Times Union [1] and the Times Herald-Record [2].
The coalition argues that Enterprise Field Services LLP has increased its gathering rates in the San Juan Basin by 240 percent over the last several years and that New Mexico stands to lose nearly $440 million in direct tax and royalty revenues over the next 15 years as a result.
Gene Gallegos, a Santa Fe attorney representing the coalition, said Friday that rate increases for gas gathering services result in direct cost increases for New Mexico gas producers and that, in turn, affects tax and royalty payments made to the state.
"What you deduct from the wellhead price reduces severance tax, it reduces royalties on state leases and it reduces our share of federal royalties. That's a lot of money, and it couldn't be a worse time," Gallegos said.
New Mexico is facing a potential budget gap of $500 million to $600 million next year, and the revenue outlook is grim as the economy continues to sputter."
~~~
And even though the New Mexico Oil and Gas associations have been fighting regulations, such as the New Mexico Oil Conservation Pit Rule, the article continues, "Gallegos said the case could set precedent nationwide since fees charged by gas gathering companies go largely unregulated.
Federal jurisdiction starts with interstate pipelines at the outlet of processing plants. Everything between the wells and the processing plants is left up to states.
Gallegos said no one has complained about the lack of regulation until now. He explained that fees had held steady for decades until Enterprise purchased the basin's gathering system and raised rates four times in the last five years." More>>>>
By David Giuliani
"The San Miguel County Commission has taken its first step toward setting a year-long moratorium on oil and gas drilling permits while it enacts new regulations.
On Tuesday, the commission voted unanimously to publish the proposed moratorium and seek public comment.
As it stands, the county has about a half page of regulations for oil and gas regulations. That’s from a land-use ordinance in 1986 that’s about an inch thick.
County officials say they want a more detailed ordinance specific to oil and gas drilling. This is after oil and gas companies have taken steps toward drilling in Santa Fe and Mora counties.
No requests for permits for oil and gas drilling are pending before San Miguel County.
County Attorney Jesus Lopez said the current ordinance “very summarily and very scantily” addresses the issue of oil and gas permits, including the effects on water availability, the terrain and the environment.
“You don’t have an ordinance that adequately protects the health and safety of the people,” he said. “This is an issue of great concern, as it should be.”
Lopez said the county manager will have a year to get input and expert opinions and compile studies as he works to draft an ordinance. But he said it may well take longer than that.
Commission Chairman David Salazar said he understood that State Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons has already leased out lands around the county for oil and gas drilling. He wondered if state lands fall under the county government’s jurisdiction.
Lopez said the moratorium would apply.
“Any authority given to the State Land Office is still subject to local regulatory authority,” the attorney said.
The commission is slated to vote on the moratorium Jan. 12." More>>>>
"SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The secretary of the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is leaving Gov. Bill Richardson's administration for a job with a conservation organization.
Joanna Prukop is retiring at the end of the month and will become director of business for wildlife with a group called Freedom to Roam. It's a coalition of businesses and conservation groups that wants to protect wildlife corridors that allow animals to move from place to place.
Richardson announced Wednesday that Jon Goldstein will replace Prukop. Goldstein has served as deputy secretary in the Environment Department since 2007.
Prukop worked for the state Game and Fish Department for 26 years before joining the Richardson administration in 2003 as a cabinet-level agency secretary." Link>>>>
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division says it will have to reduce its routine field inspections by 66 percent this year as the state grapples with a budget shortfall.
Division officials have told legislators that fewer inspections could place the environment and groundwater resources at risk and that processing new drilling applications could be delayed.
The Oil Conservation Division regulates the oil, natural gas and geothermal industries in New Mexico. It's also responsible for preventing contamination from oil and gas operations and reclaiming past environmental damage.
Division director Mark Fesmire says he's down seven inspectors and looming budget cuts will make it impossible to fill those positions.
Fesmire says the priority will be to process new drilling applications while making sure environmental regulations are followed."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
An interesting development in San Miguel County after oil and gas minerals have been leased in San Miguel and Mora Counties, including by the Santa Fe Opera:
On the San Miguel County New Mexico Board of County Commissioners meeting, December 8, 2009:
"4. SMC RESOLUTION NO. 12-08-09-OIL&GAS, PROPOSING AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION OF OIL AND GAS IN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY.
Background Information: At its October meeting, the County Commission directed staff to begin work on a moratorium relating to oil and gas exploration in the county. The Commission expressed concern that the County exists regulations in this area were very out-dated and needed to be revised and up-dated, and that during the revision and amendment process, a moratorium should be imposed. Following that direction, county staff proposes a Resolution allowing the Commission to consider at its January 2010 meeting, a moratorium ordinance.
Action Requested of the Commission: Adopt SMC RESOLUTION NO. 12-08-09-OIL&GAS, proposing the adoption of a moratorium ordinance for oil and gas exploration.
Staff Recommendations: Same as Action Requested, noted above.
Presenter: County Manager Les Montoya and County Attorney Jesus L. Lopez." Full Agenda>>>>
Albuquerque Journal North
Decembern 4, 2009
Of the Journal
'“Split Estate” presents a heartbreaking pastiche of physical and emotional woes wrought by the centuries-old law that enables energy companies to put drilling wells on the property of private landowners, so long as the companies hold rights to the minerals under the surface (they almost always do).
Just because you own your house or ranch, essentially, that doesn't mean you can keep Big Oil and Gas from having at what's underneath. And their process of extraction is invasive.
The film is timely and concise, and Santa Fe filmmaker Debra Anderson strikes a sweet balance between educating on the issue and tugging at our tear ducts. She interviews a toxicologist and a Ph.D. environmental analyst who explain plainly why chemicals used in drilling can be like poison for nearby landowners. She interviews flabbergasted men and women who have had, at least, their land violated by lawful drilling and, at worst, their health deteriorate dramatically because of that drilling.
Environmentalists will love the film.
Bob Gallagher hates it."
More (Subscription required, paid or free pass to the Journal North)>>>>
Washington Post
"SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has huge potential to produce electricity from renewable sources but a small window to develop transmission lines to deliver that power to customers, a lawmaker said Tuesday after listening to a report on the issue.
The state Renewable Energy Transmission Authority presented its first statewide transmission report to an interim legislative committee. It covers everything from existing transmission lines, barriers to building additional lines and hot spots for electricity generation using wind, solar radiation and geothermal sources.
"The issue is transmission. If we don't have any more transmission, there will be no more renewable projects in the state of New Mexico and that is critical for our future. It's a multibillion-dollar opportunity," said Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa.
The state will lose out to other states if it doesn't do something in the next three to four years, he said." More>>>>
Time: December 5, 2009 from 5:45pm to 7:45pm
Location: New Mexico History Museum
Street: 113 Lincoln Avenue
City/Town: SANTA FE
Website or Map: http://santafe.bside.com/20...
Phone: 505.988.7414
Event Type: film, screening
Organized By: Aaron Leventman, Bioneers
For flyer, click here>>>>
It is an honor and humbling to be recognized by the community as one who made a difference, but the honor belongs to the citizens for who were the ones that made a difference. Thank you.
Santa Fe New Mexican, "Johnny Micou, Guardian of Galisteo Basin."
Posted the article that has some the inaccuracies.
New Mexico Free Press
| Written by Brad Buck |
| "All but one county in New Mexico relies on state rules to regulate oil and gas drilling. (Not accurate. Mischaracterizes the Santa Fe County Oil and Gas Ordinance.) That county? None other than Santa Fe County. Neighboring Rio Arriba County is considering an ordinance to further restrict oil and gas drilling. (Rio Arriba County has an oil and gas ordinance.) Here’s a little history on the stricter local regulations. Houston-based Tecton Energy bought (leased) 65,000 acres of mineral rights in the Galisteo basin from which to pull oil and gas. When Tecton started drilling for oil and gasoline in the fall of 2007, Santa Fe County officials put the kibosh on the idea (re-entered Black-Ferrill #1). County commissioners enacted a three-month moratorium on drilling until they could figure out how to control it. After the moratorium passed, Tecton pulled out and its lease expired. (Not accurate.) “It was an unusual event,” said Chris Fling, a partner in Tecton. “The citizens lost a lot: job opportunities, revenue.” (Not accurate.) He described the state and Santa Fe County as “politicized” regulators. Fling said he wishes Santa Fe County and the state would base their actions about oil and gas drilling on data, not emotion. Because they do not, he said, Tecton will not return to New Mexico anytime soon to drill.
|
| El Defensor Chieftan Written by T.S. Last A Flood of Protests The Fight has Begun Taking Action |
| Wednesday, 18 November 2009 06:00 |
| Residents of western Socorro County and Catron County are mobilizing in an effort to block what they describe as a "water grab" by Augustin Plains Ranch LLC. A meeting attended by about 35 people was held Nov. 10 at the Magdalena Public Library for the purpose of informing the public about the issue and coordinating efforts to defeat it. Don Wiltshire, of Magdalena, a member of the San Agustin Water Coalition — a citizens group that aims to protect San Agustin Plains water basin and functions as a blanket organization for protesters of the corporation's application — served as master of ceremonies. "We're all in this boat together and we're going to fight it together," Wiltshire told the audience. "That's what it's going to take to win this fight — staying together and hanging in there." The New York City based corporation filed an application with the state Office of the Engineer two years ago, to drill 37 wells with 20-inch casings in order to pump 54,000 acre-feet of groundwater (about 17.6 billion gallons) from the San Agustin Basin each year. The wells would be located north and south of U.S. 60 just inside Catron County's eastern boundary, between the Very Large Array and the town of Datil. An amended application, filed in May 2008 and approved by the State Engineer in August of that year, called for an increase in the depth of the drilling from 2,000 to 3,500 feet. It also expanded the area of proposed places of use to any areas within Socorro, Catron, Sierra, Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties that are in the Rio Grande Basin." More>>>> |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Input on County Growth Plan Changes Schedule
Santa Fe – November 16, 2009 – Public input received at the Santa Fe County Development Review Committee (CDRC) public hearing on November 12 has resulted in several changes to the Sustainable Land Development Plan (SLDP) process. There were five key themes that emerged from the public during that meeting: (1) residents of communities that have developed community plans would prefer that their plans not be altered; (2) the draft Plan is too long; (3) the public needs more time to absorb the draft Plan; (4) there should be opportunities for more citizen input; and (5) the draft Plan is not sustainable enough, it should require more sustainable protections. There also were other, specific comments and recommendations made by the public at the meeting.
The County Planning Team has reviewed the suggestions and is working to incorporate recommended changes. Integrating the new input and suggested changes will change the draft Plan and the Public Hearing schedule. The revised SLDP will be released for additional public review on December 7. The next public hearing on the SLDP will be on December 17 at 6:00 pm in the County Commission Chambers. The public hearing on the SLDP scheduled for December 3 has now been postponed. Additional public hearings will be scheduled for early 2010.
For more information on the Sustainable Land Development Plan and how to participate in the planning process, please contact Robert Griego, at 986-6215 or rgriego@santafecounty.org.
Novemeber 16, 2009
By David Giuliani
"San Miguel County is looking at a proposed moratorium on oil and gas drilling permits while it drafts regulations for such activities.
No permits for oil and gas drilling are pending before the county. But County Commission Chairman David Salazar said he wants to make sure the county has sufficient rules in effect before companies come forward.
The county has a general ordinance that deals with conditional land uses, but it doesn’t contain any regulations specifically designed for oil and gas drilling.
Over the last year, Mora County has been reviewing its regulations to determine whether changes are needed to deal with proposed oil and gas drilling. A company has expressed interest in drilling in the Ocaté area and has already been in talks with landowners, some of whom have entered agreements to allow access.
But many in Mora County vehemently oppose drilling, saying it would affect the environment and their way of life.
Salazar said the current San Miguel County regulations are insufficient. At last week’s commission meeting, members generally agreed that they needed to form a task force to deal with the issue.
“Sooner or later, we’ll be having the same issues that Mora County is having, and we need to be satisfied with the regulations that we have,” Salazar said.
Commissioner Nicolas Leger said he wanted the task force to include people from both sides of the issue. He said an earlier task force on wind farm regulations appeared to be heavily weighted toward those against such activities.
“With the wind farms, there was some concern about balance. We need to get input from both sides of the fence,” Leger said.
Leger said he favored a more comprehensive ordinance.
“I don’t think the regulations we have are sufficient at all. The technology has changed considerably since that ordinance was enacted,” he said.
Pat Leahan, co-director of the Las Vegas Peace and Justice Center, said she was glad the county is paying attention to the oil and gas issue. She said the task force would have “excellent” resources locally to study the issue.
She said she hoped the task force would include representatives from land grants and acequia associations." Article>>>>
Bushland residents attend a meeting with representatives of El Paso Corp. at Bushland High School. The session concerned last week's gas line explosion.
El Paso Natural Gas officials sat on stage for more than two hours and fielded dozens of questions from residents affected by the Nov. 5 blast that destroyed one home, damaged others and temporarily displaced residents of the Prairie West subdivision.
"We know you have serious concerns," said Mike Catt, vice president of operations. "We may not have all the answers this evening."
The high school overlooks the site of the explosion. A large, black crater is etched in the landscape.
Residents shared stories of sleepless nights. Some said their children are afraid to sleep alone at night or leave the house.
All wanted to know what caused the explosion.
"The peace of mind out here is shattered," resident James Gillenwater said.
El Paso officials compiled and handed out a list of local counselors who can work with people.
Many residents said they were concerned other lines near the explosion site may have been damaged by the explosion. They fear another explosion.
Three members of the Torres family were injured in the explosion, and their home was destroyed. The family's mother and father, Alfredo and Agnieszka Torres, have been released from an Amarillo hospital. Franczeska Torres, 15, was transported to a Lubbock hospital's burn unit with serious burns. She is listed in stable condition.
Catt said officials plan to analyze the remaining gas pipelines next year. The company's proposed time line was met by angry grumbling from audience members, who wanted immediate analysis.
"I don't think any of us knew we were sitting on a mini nuclear weapon," said Dr. Jerry Gillis, who suggested rerouting the pipeline." More>>>>
"The New York-based Toxics Targeting went through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s own database of hazardous substances spills over the past thirty years. They found 270 cases documenting fires, explosions, wastewater spills, well contamination and ecological damage related to gas drilling. Many of the cases remain unresolved. The findings are contrary to repeated government assurances that existing natural gas well regulations are sufficient to safeguard the environment and public health. The state is considering allowing for gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale watershed, the source of drinking water for 15 million people, including nine million New Yorkers. [includes rush transcript]" Video and link>>>>
Related post:
November 8, 10:49 AM
Philadelphia Progressive ExaminerTim McCown
Excerpts:
"The Left had better wake up and smell the coffee. This isn't just a faux version of attempting to do the Right Wing version of the 1960's. This is a very real revolution. This revolution aims at nothing less than the final corporate takeover of our entire political system because democracy is tremendously inefficient by corporate business standards. What with its elections that can radically change the direction of this nation politically there always remains the risk that reform will benefit the people and that profits will be curtailed to provide real benefits to everyone."...
..."Over the course of the Reagan Administration through George Bush Juniors presidency Corporate America has worked in partnership with government to completely disenfranchise the American people. It is global capital after all not Left Wing Liberals that has the desire to create a New World economic order. Only a strong democratic American government is big enough to stand in the way of Global Capitals New World and defending its people from this order based on powerful corporations not governments. But to do this you have to sell the Ameican people on the desirability of losing our rights and freedom's for profits for the few."...
..."Think Progress found that AFP ( Americans for Prosperity ) had staffers at designated bus stops passing out signs, handing out talking points and passing out petitions. A number of these staffers like Tim Phillips the presdient of AFP and Ben Marchi, a former Tom DeLay staffer have direct ties to the Republican Party.
Americans for Properity has direct ties to the oil and natural gas industries through the Koch family funding of its operation. But it also has ties to the lobbying arm of the coal Industry Friends of Coal, and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, whose hired advertising agency was busted for writing phony grass roots letters to various Congress people. Tim Phillips has also had many ties to the Health Insurance Industry as well. He is paid to make sure we get no green jobs, new energy technology or health care that actually benefits us instead of our money lining Insurance companies CEO's pockets.
One wonders how many of the well meaning Tea Party protestors really understand that underneath all the hot revolutionary rhetoric they are being used to support policies that will boost the rich while keeping them poor and powerless, stripping consummer safety protections, allowing the banking industry to do its its own accounting, selling America the idea that mountain top coal removal is clean and beneficial and that only Socialists and Communists could possibly see it other wise." Entire article>>>>
Staci Matlock | The New Mexican
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 9/1
"The members of rural electric cooperatives can't control their electric rates any more than the customers of investor-owned utilities such as Public Service Company of New Mexico. But they have one advantage over PNM customers: They can change management at the ballot box.
Plus, their membership meetings can be almost as much fun as a professional wrestling match.
Take the Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative that serves more than 10,000 people in four counties, including a little corner of Santa Fe County. Two years ago, the members voted at the annual meeting to reduce the board's size from 11 to five. Six months later, the board called a special election in the middle of the week in the little mountain village of Mora to re-vote on the matter.
"Some of the board members that were going to be kicked off because of the earlier vote cooked up the special election in the middle of day and middle of week when everyone was working," said Ed Littleton, a cooperative member from Ojo Feliz, N.M., who attended the meeting.
More than 850 people — three times the usual number who participate in the annual elections — took time off from work and braved icy roads to show up for the special election at the VFW building. "It got into a screaming match, and almost a fistfight, between board members who were losing positions and some of the co-op members who were championing the reduced board size," Littleton said.
The members voted overwhelmingly to uphold the board reduction.
A similar issue drew heated debate at the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative's annual meeting in June. State Rep. Al Park, an Albuquerque attorney, was invited to act as parliamentarian because the meeting was expected to be controversial. And Park was impressed. As a PNM customer, he said, "I don't get to say anything. They read my meter and I pay the bill." This was different. "It is not representative democracy. It is democracy in action," he said."
Going renewable>>>>
"T. Boone Pickens, who has spent more than a year telling Americans the answer to their energy woes is natural gas, said Thursday the U.S. natural gas supply will probably dry up in about 30 years." More>>>>
So in the meantime is it "drill, baby, drill" all through the United States using dirty, unconventional extractive techniques and spending vast sums of money to retrofit the refueling infrastructure while subsidizing oil and gas companies to drill for a so-called "bridge fuel"?
"A major pipeline explosion happened just after 1:00 Thursday morning about one mile west of Bushland High School.
Residents in the area have been evacuated. We know that at least three structures are involved. Several fire crews are currently on the scene battling the fire. We have unconfirmed reports that there are only a few minor injuries." More>>>>
"New Mexico Gas Co. workers made a scheduled release of natural gas on the southwest side of Santa Fe early Wednesday morning as part of the earthwork under way for a new Walmart Supercenter.
An additional release from a gas pipeline near the southwest end of Cerrillos Road will take place this afternoon, said NM Gas.Co spokeswoman Monica Hussey.
"We are replacing a 12-inch line," she said, adding that the time of the second release was not available.
Santa Fe County Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Neely said four units, two fire engines and two medical emergency teams, responded early Wednesday morning after the department received calls about the odor of gas in the area of Interstate 25 down to the intersection with N.M. 599." Link>>>>
Related post:
Screening of film “Split Estate” & discussion of Oil & Gas Drilling Industry in San Miguel and Mora Counties
Sunday, November 8, 2009, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
United World College-USA, Kluge Auditorium, Montezuma, NM
Co-hosted by: UWC-USA Students for Peace & Justice and the Las Vegas Peace & Justice Center
Special screening of the just-released, highly-acclaimed, 76-min. documentary “Split Estate” (http://www.SplitEstate.com/) followed by a panel discussion on the impacts posed by the Oil & Gas Industry’s potential for drilling in San Miguel County and Mora County.
PANELISTS:
Debra Anderson, Filmmaker (Director, Producer & Editor of “Split Estate”)
Paula Garcia (President, Mora Land Grant)
Johnny Micou (Co-Founder, Drilling Santa Fe, & Executive Director, Common Ground United)
Linda Spier (Producer, Galisteo Basin Photography Project and Mora Photography Project)
We encourage UWC students, staff, faculty, San Miguel County and Mora County residents, land owners, public officials, community leaders and others to attend the film screening and discussion. This 2009 documentary shows the impacts caused by oil & natural gas drilling in Colorado and New Mexico. Tens of thousands of acres are being leased to the O&G Industry in San Miguel and Mora Counties right now. Come learn about the consequences for those in the path of this drilling boom. Oil & Gas development has arrived and we need to educate ourselves about the potential effects of this industry, and what we can do about it. Everyone is welcome. Please join us.
For more information, please contact: (505) 425-3840, (505) 617-6794,
lvpeacecenter [at] desertgate.com
Press Release UWC Screening "Split Estate">>>>
The New Mexican
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 10/3
"By comparison, the cuts being considered by Secretary Joanna Prukop of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department sound benign — but they're not:
The highly professional Prukop went, service by service, through her domain, figuring out which job vacancies she could least afford to hold open. Many were in law-enforcement at our state parks — a chilling prospect, which might include closed parks.
Besides considering furloughs for scores of employees, she's taking a hard look at 11 job vacancies in the environmentally crucial oil-conservation office. That could mean a two-thirds reduction in field inspections; intervals during which lots of groundwater lies at risk.
Felizmente, Prukop has listed other budget-cutting possibilities that are at least a little less dire.
It's the same scene around state government — which, for all the criticism it gets, performs vast amounts of service" More>>>>
"A drilling rig stands amid the foothills of the Roan Plateau. Opponents of gas drilling say enough of the area has already been exploited."
Published: October 29, 2009
"RIFLE, Colo. — Standing in a canyon in hilly terrain, Ken Neubecker cast his fly into a cold stream. Minutes later he had a bite. Thrashing at the end of his line was a speckled green fish, a scarce Colorado cutthroat trout.
“There just aren’t many places like this in the West,” Mr. Neubecker said. “It’s a real gem.”
Energy companies are looking at the Roan Plateau, too — through entirely different eyes. Vast deposits of natural gas are believed to lie beneath the stretch on which Mr. Neubecker was fishing, and the companies want to drill.
“What is really special about the Roan Plateau, these lands in particular, is the incredible energy density beneath it,” said Duane Zavadil, vice president of the Bill Barrett Corporation, a Denver energy company that holds drilling rights to the Roan.
The company’s plans are at the center of a battle over the future of the plateau, one that could influence the fate of thousands of acres in the high country known as the intermountain West.
A last-minute leasing push by the Bush administration put extensive federal lands in Utah and Colorado into the hands of oil and gas companies, including 36,000 acres of the Roan Plateau. The Obama administration has inherited the touchy question of what to do with those leases.
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