Albuquerque Journal North
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Journal Staff Writer
"Santa Fe County and other local governments would most likely be barred from regulating oil and gas operations under a measure before the state Legislature.
The bill would put regulatory authority solely in the hands of the state Oil Conservation Division. But critics and even OCD officials say the division doesn't now have the authority to address local concerns, ranging from zoning to noise.
“Our regulatory authority is fairly limited,” OCD spokeswoman Jodi McGinnis Porter said Tuesday.
If enacted, the legislation would put to rest a debate over whether local governments can impose rules on the industry.
The Santa Fe County Commission did just that last month in approving one of the nation's toughest drilling laws. The move came in response to an industry proposal to explore in the Galisteo Basin southeast of town.
The ordinance — which addresses many issues not governed by the state's Oil and Gas Act — was opposed by industry officials who said the county was overreaching. And the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association has threatened to challenge the ordinance in court, saying regulation is the responsibility of the OCD, not local government.
Senate Bill 17 was introduced by Republican state Sen. Carroll Leavell of Hobbs, who did not return a call for comment Tuesday." More (subscription required)>>>>>
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Journal Staff Writer
"Santa Fe County and other local governments would most likely be barred from regulating oil and gas operations under a measure before the state Legislature.
The bill would put regulatory authority solely in the hands of the state Oil Conservation Division. But critics and even OCD officials say the division doesn't now have the authority to address local concerns, ranging from zoning to noise.
“Our regulatory authority is fairly limited,” OCD spokeswoman Jodi McGinnis Porter said Tuesday.
If enacted, the legislation would put to rest a debate over whether local governments can impose rules on the industry.
The Santa Fe County Commission did just that last month in approving one of the nation's toughest drilling laws. The move came in response to an industry proposal to explore in the Galisteo Basin southeast of town.
The ordinance — which addresses many issues not governed by the state's Oil and Gas Act — was opposed by industry officials who said the county was overreaching. And the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association has threatened to challenge the ordinance in court, saying regulation is the responsibility of the OCD, not local government.
Senate Bill 17 was introduced by Republican state Sen. Carroll Leavell of Hobbs, who did not return a call for comment Tuesday." More (subscription required)>>>>>
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