From an EMNRD press release, "The Oil Conservation Commission won an appeal in First Judicial District Court, County of Santa Fe, State of New Mexico against sixteen oil and gas companies that challenged the adoption of revised rules regulating surface waste management in oil and gas operations....'We are pleased with the court's decision,' said Mark Fesmire, Chair of the Oil Conservation Commission. 'Strengthening our rules on how industry handles surface waste management in oil and gas operations is about protecting public health, ground water, and the environment.'"
Monday, March 3, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
"Drilling's hidden costs" -- SantaFeNewMexican.com
From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "Fesmire said the fines for violating Oil Conservation Division rules are "a little anemic."
"It's the same fine structure as in the 1935 statues," he said. "You could really get compliance with a $1,000 fine in 1935. Not now."' (for the full article, click here)
From the same edition, another article, "The six people responsible for inspecting the 23,000 oil and gas wells in the San Juan Basin meet early every morning to talk about what they did the day before. ...
Funding for the Oil Conservation Division was cut by $302,000 during the most recent legislative session.
The division staff and others, including Gov. Bill Richardson, have suggested the cuts were retaliation for the tougher environmental regulations proposed by the division.
"The public wants us to do our jobs. But our hands are tied with political things," Perrin said. "There's not enough money, not enough trucks; gas is too expensive."' (click here for the article, "Inspectors struggle to monitor vast area")
Funding for the Oil Conservation Division was cut by $302,000 during the most recent legislative session.
The division staff and others, including Gov. Bill Richardson, have suggested the cuts were retaliation for the tougher environmental regulations proposed by the division.
"The public wants us to do our jobs. But our hands are tied with political things," Perrin said. "There's not enough money, not enough trucks; gas is too expensive."' (click here for the article, "Inspectors struggle to monitor vast area")
In a related article from the denverpost.com, '"Capital is a coward," said Bob Gallagher, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. "It will always follow the path of least resistance, where there are fewer rules, less risk."
But regulators say drillers and producers should brace themselves for the prospect of new regulations throughout the West leaving few places "of least resistance."
"The industry is going to have to come to grips with the fact that the environment has to be protected, and in the arid West we have to protect water," New Mexico's Prukop said." (for full article, click here)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Santa Fe County Emergency Interim Development Ordinance & Map
Emergency Interim Development Ordinance (click here)
Map (click here)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners Passes Emergency Interim Development Ordinance
From a Santa Fe County email:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COUNTY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS NEW DRILLING
The vote on the emergency interim development ordinance was unanimous with a standing ovation for the Commissioners. There is a lot of work ahead, but today our community came together to protect our local resources. It is a proud moment.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Eggs, Sausage & Conservatism with US Rep. Steve Pearce Video
Eggs, Sausage & Conservatism with US Rep. Steve Pearce video (click here).
About the video: "Steve Pearce wants to succeed retiring US Sen. Pete Domenici in the US Senate, but first he has to win the GOP nomination. In this interview, Santa Fe Reporter staff writer David Alire Garcia questions Pearce on his energy, immigration and health care positions."
About the video: "Steve Pearce wants to succeed retiring US Sen. Pete Domenici in the US Senate, but first he has to win the GOP nomination. In this interview, Santa Fe Reporter staff writer David Alire Garcia questions Pearce on his energy, immigration and health care positions."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
State Senator Phil Griego calls for 12-month oil & gas drilling moratorium in Mora County
From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "State Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, urged Mora County commissioners Tuesday to consider approving a 12-month moratorium on oil and gas drilling similar to one Santa Fe County has in place.
Griego also told residents at the meeting to "be cautious" with mineral leases. He said Mora County needs hydrologic and geologic studies before drilling is conducted.
"The Galisteo Basin has kicked open the door to Northern New Mexico," said Griego, who represents six Northern New Mexico counties."
Griego also told residents at the meeting to "be cautious" with mineral leases. He said Mora County needs hydrologic and geologic studies before drilling is conducted.
"The Galisteo Basin has kicked open the door to Northern New Mexico," said Griego, who represents six Northern New Mexico counties."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Bruce Black, Geological Consultant to Tecton Energy, LLC
From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "I've watched with concern the reaction of Santa Fe County to the attempts of Tecton to develop and explore their oil and gas leases in Santa Fe County. It appears to be an attempt to stop all future oil and gas production and probably all other future mineral exploration in the county." (click here for full story)
About Bruce Black, "Tecton Energy, LLC. announced today that it has retained Dr. Bruce Black under an exclusive long term agreement as a Geological Consultant, working on prospect development in the US and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Dr. Black is a highly experienced exploration geologist." (click here for press release)
About the Rio Grande Rift, "The commercially successful Tecton Black - Ferrill #1, and subsequent activities, has opened a new oil and gas province in the Rio Grande Rift."(click here)
According to the Oil Conservation Division records, Black-Ferrill #1 is temporarily abandoned. (click here for the latest report at the bottom)
About Bruce Black, "Tecton Energy, LLC. announced today that it has retained Dr. Bruce Black under an exclusive long term agreement as a Geological Consultant, working on prospect development in the US and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Dr. Black is a highly experienced exploration geologist." (click here for press release)
About the Rio Grande Rift, "The commercially successful Tecton Black - Ferrill #1, and subsequent activities, has opened a new oil and gas province in the Rio Grande Rift."(click here)
According to the Oil Conservation Division records, Black-Ferrill #1 is temporarily abandoned. (click here for the latest report at the bottom)
Drilling Mora County
From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "Knute H. Lee Jr. had a pitch for the eastern Mora County residents who showed up Feb. 10 for a barbecue he hosted in the Ocate Community Center: Lease out your oil and gas mineral rights through his Albuquerque company, KHL Inc.
A total of 116 people from surrounding communities turned out to chow down on barbecued beef brisket, chicken and potato salad, and to hear Lee's proposition.
"Several people were opposed to leasing," said Ojo Feliz resident Rose Josefa, who attended the event. "Many were interested in how the royalty and rental system works. The rest were quiet but not very welcoming. I didn't get the sense that people were jumping up and down over his offer."' (click here for full article)
Also from the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "But here's the kicker for people who don't want to lease their mineral rights, such as Rose Josefa in Ojo Feliz. She might have no choice but to allow mineral extraction from under her land — although she could make some money from it.
One way is through forced pooling of mineral leases within a spacing unit. The state determines how many wells are allowed per spacing unit, Fesmire said. The spacing unit varies depending on the depth of the hydrocarbons, whether the well is for oil or gas, and whether the area is controlled by any special rules. In New Mexico, those units vary from 40 acres up to 320 acres. In California, spacing units are as small as one well per acre, according to the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educating property owners about hydrocarbon development.
If Josefa's property falls within the same spacing unit as neighbors who agree to lease their mineral rights, she can be forced to join in the well and the lease pool, Fesmire said."(click here for full article)
A total of 116 people from surrounding communities turned out to chow down on barbecued beef brisket, chicken and potato salad, and to hear Lee's proposition.
"Several people were opposed to leasing," said Ojo Feliz resident Rose Josefa, who attended the event. "Many were interested in how the royalty and rental system works. The rest were quiet but not very welcoming. I didn't get the sense that people were jumping up and down over his offer."' (click here for full article)
Also from the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "But here's the kicker for people who don't want to lease their mineral rights, such as Rose Josefa in Ojo Feliz. She might have no choice but to allow mineral extraction from under her land — although she could make some money from it.
One way is through forced pooling of mineral leases within a spacing unit. The state determines how many wells are allowed per spacing unit, Fesmire said. The spacing unit varies depending on the depth of the hydrocarbons, whether the well is for oil or gas, and whether the area is controlled by any special rules. In New Mexico, those units vary from 40 acres up to 320 acres. In California, spacing units are as small as one well per acre, according to the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educating property owners about hydrocarbon development.
If Josefa's property falls within the same spacing unit as neighbors who agree to lease their mineral rights, she can be forced to join in the well and the lease pool, Fesmire said."(click here for full article)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tecton Energy, LLC Threatens to Sue Santa Fe County
From the SantaFeNewMexican.com, "We are currently exploring our legal options to counter the actions being taken by the county and the state," Tecton's statement says. "They do not comply with state law. ... They ignore our company's legal right to pursue oil and gas operations in the area, and they violate federal and state law prohibiting takings of private property without just compensation." (click here for full article).
Takings? If Tecton were to begin drilling for gas and oil in the Galisteo Basin, the "takings" would be our groundwater aquifer, our property values, our health, our safety, the destruction of our cultural-historical archaeological heritage, our fiscal and economical engine, and be a public nuisance. Tecton is only leasing oil & gas minerals. Tecton has not demonstrated that there is viable oil & gas development in the Galisteo Basin from those leases. Tecton has not demonstrated that there would be "a huge blow to a key source of state revenue."
We have the right to protect our resources.
Takings? If Tecton were to begin drilling for gas and oil in the Galisteo Basin, the "takings" would be our groundwater aquifer, our property values, our health, our safety, the destruction of our cultural-historical archaeological heritage, our fiscal and economical engine, and be a public nuisance. Tecton is only leasing oil & gas minerals. Tecton has not demonstrated that there is viable oil & gas development in the Galisteo Basin from those leases. Tecton has not demonstrated that there would be "a huge blow to a key source of state revenue."
We have the right to protect our resources.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Emergency Interim Development Ordinance
On February 26, 2008, the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners (BCC) will vote on an Emergency Interim Development Ordinance. The ordinance, which would prohibit development approvals for oil, gas and geo-thermal grading, drilling and extraction within the Galisteo Basin for twelve months and provide a six month extension. The Emergency Interim Development Ordinance would be in effect "until the adoption of a general plan amendment, a Galisteo Basin Area Plan, a capital improvement and public services program, creation of a special improvement district for the code addressing and resolving the health, safety, cultural-historical archaeological, fiscal, economic, planning, infrastructure and services, groundwater aquifer, environmental and public nuisance impacts of such grading and drilling."
The ordinance will be posted on the Santa Fe County website (click here) and there will be a map of the target area. The BCC would hire experts to discern the compatibility of oil & gas activity in the Galisteo Basin and to conduct baseline studies. The target area of the map can be expanded to other areas in Santa Fe County, if needed. The BCC has hired Dr. Robert H. Freilich (click here) as special counsel to help rewrite development codes.
According to the SantaFeMexican.com (click here), "Part of the process of developing these plans will be to conduct studies of these issues. Freilich said he will also use the draft ordinance already created by Ross, and results from studies of the Galisteo Basin area ordered by Richardson, to inform his own plans. He hopes to have a draft by November.
Freilich promised stakeholders would be included in every step of the planning process."
The ordinance will be posted on the Santa Fe County website (click here) and there will be a map of the target area. The BCC would hire experts to discern the compatibility of oil & gas activity in the Galisteo Basin and to conduct baseline studies. The target area of the map can be expanded to other areas in Santa Fe County, if needed. The BCC has hired Dr. Robert H. Freilich (click here) as special counsel to help rewrite development codes.
According to the SantaFeMexican.com (click here), "Part of the process of developing these plans will be to conduct studies of these issues. Freilich said he will also use the draft ordinance already created by Ross, and results from studies of the Galisteo Basin area ordered by Richardson, to inform his own plans. He hopes to have a draft by November.
Freilich promised stakeholders would be included in every step of the planning process."
"Hauled It Away" by Kim Sorvig
Hauled It Away
(with apologies to John Prine & Woody Guthrie)
by Kim Sorvig
When I was a child, we lived near the mountains.
The place I grew up was in New Mexico.
Our house is still there, on the edge of a mesa,
but now only memories of a long time ago
Chorus: Daddy won’t you take me back to Santa Fe County,
to the mountains and mesas where paradise lay?
I’m sorry my son, but you’re too late in asking --
Ten thousand tank trucks have hauled it away.
Sometimes we’d hike on down the arroyo
to the ruins of a pueblo beside an old spring.
My grandfather taught me the Indians loved nature.
My mom just said Johnny, now don’t touch a thing.
The oil companies came with a thousand huge oil rigs,
polluted the water and tortured the land.
Drilled for their oil till the land was deserted
and wrote it all down to the progress of man.
My dad tried to stop them, they took him to prison.
They took all the money he’d made in his life.
My mom she got sick from drinking well-water
and breathing the gas fumes she took down and died.
Daddy won’t you take me back to Santa Fe County,
to the mountains and mesas where paradise lay?
I’m sorry my son, but you’re too late in asking --
Ten thousand oil trucks have hauled it away.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
"Drilling Albuquerque" and other articles
From the alibi.com January 31 - February 6, 2008, "Drilling Albuquerque" (click here):
"Tecton knew it could expect controversy by looking for oil near Santa Fe. “Without tooting our horn,” says Dirks, “we did our homework. We spent months meeting with state and county government officials. The initial reception we received was quite favorable. Most people expressed some amount of support and/or curiosity. We didn’t encounter anyone who said ‘No! And go away forever!’ ”
Dirks says the company worked closely with the county to figure out the best way to introduce the project to the public, which resulted in two public meetings at the end of 2007 in Santa Fe County. "At those meetings we began to get a new perspective on how vigorously this would be opposed.”
Great video at YouTube - "Hardrock Minining - Re-think; Reform" (click here).
High Country News, "Time to call the gas industry's bluff" (click here):
"This year, Rifle, Colo., the epicenter of a $2 billion-a-year gas play, will receive less than $500,000 in state severance taxes, a pittance given the tens of millions the city must invest to deal with the social and infrastructure impacts caused by the gas industry.
The citizens of Colorado have no control over whether we get gouged at the gasoline pump. But we do have the power to insist that an industry this large and profitable pay its fair share."
"Tecton knew it could expect controversy by looking for oil near Santa Fe. “Without tooting our horn,” says Dirks, “we did our homework. We spent months meeting with state and county government officials. The initial reception we received was quite favorable. Most people expressed some amount of support and/or curiosity. We didn’t encounter anyone who said ‘No! And go away forever!’ ”
Dirks says the company worked closely with the county to figure out the best way to introduce the project to the public, which resulted in two public meetings at the end of 2007 in Santa Fe County. "At those meetings we began to get a new perspective on how vigorously this would be opposed.”
Great video at YouTube - "Hardrock Minining - Re-think; Reform" (click here).
High Country News, "Time to call the gas industry's bluff" (click here):
"This year, Rifle, Colo., the epicenter of a $2 billion-a-year gas play, will receive less than $500,000 in state severance taxes, a pittance given the tens of millions the city must invest to deal with the social and infrastructure impacts caused by the gas industry.
The citizens of Colorado have no control over whether we get gouged at the gasoline pump. But we do have the power to insist that an industry this large and profitable pay its fair share."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Coalition for Energy Accountability renamed CommonGround United
The growing list for CommonGround United:
Non-Profit Organizations:
Amigos Bravos
Arroyo Hondo Land Trust
Cimarron Sky-Dog Reserve
Commonweal Conservancy
Concerned Citizens of Cerrillos
Drilling Santa Fe (DSF)
Earth Works Institute
Environment New Mexico
Ecoversity
Galisteo Community Assocation
Madrid Cultural Projects
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
National Wildlife Federation
New Energy Economy
New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC)
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Oil & Gas Accountability Project/EARTHWORKS (OGAP)
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Recursos de Santa Fe
Renewable Energy Partners of New Mexico
The San Marcos Association
Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT)
Southwest Seminars
WildEarth Guardians
The Wilderness Society
Wild Prairie Partners
Businesses:
Althouse, Inc.
BJ Briggs, LLC
Confluence Mediation & Counseling
Coulter-Brooks Art & Antiques
High Feather Ranch Bed and Breakfast
Janine Lehmann Design
The Janis Group, Inc.
Lone Mountain Ranch
New Mexico Biotech, Inc.
OpenMake Software
Rush Creek Editions
Saltamontes on Grasshopper Hill Retreat
Santa Fe Permaculture
Thal Equine, LLC & Thal Boarding Training, LLC
Citizens' Activists Groups (not 501(c)):
Santa Fe Not Oil
Individuals:
Tweeti Blancett, plus many others.
Click here for the position paper.
The Coalition for Energy Accountability has been renamed, CommonGround United, P.O. Box 23150, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87502.
Contact: Johnny Micou, drillingsantafe@earthlink.net, 505-474-3061.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Governor Richardson Issues Executive Order Imposing a Six Month Moratorium on New Oil and Gas Drilling in Santa Fe County and the Galisteo Basin
Press Release:
"Places like the
The Oil Conservation Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department shall temporarily suspend the processing and granting of applications for permits to drill for oil and gas in
The New Mexico Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department, the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Office of the State Engineer, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and other executive agencies are instructed to conduct an assessment of all existing laws, regulations, policies, and planning documents to ensure that no oil and gas drilling activity occurs in Santa Fe County and the Galisteo Basin that would be detrimental to the interests of the State of New Mexico and its citizens.
“Careful examination of the
Executive Agencies affected by this Executive Order shall report to Office of the Governor and the Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department no later than June 24, 2008.
Extend the County Drilling Permit Moratorium for Land Use Planning
The next Board of County Commissioners meeting is January 29th. It is extremely important to extend the moratorium on applications to drill oil or natural gas wells until baseline studies for hydrology, geology, groundwater, surface water, archaeology and others are conducted for proper land use planning, so please take time NOW to write, email and call all five of the County commissioners about an O&G drilling moratorium extension. Our resources must be protected!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
House Bill 248 by Representative Peter Wirth
Click here for pdf version. Rep. Wirth had called for a six month oil & gas drilling moratorium in Santa Fe County.
Monday, January 21, 2008
SantaFeNewMexican.com list of Galisteo Basin Oil & Gas articles
Click here for the SantaFeNewMexican.com Galisteo Basin Oil & Gas articles combined or go to http://www.santafenewmexican.com/oil/.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
House Bill 125 Alert!
From the Oil & Gas Accountability Project (OGAP) House Bill 125 alert (click here).
"This bill is widely recognized as the oil and gas industry’s retaliation against the Oil Conservation Division’s rulemaking to establish a strong rule protecting soil, water and public health from oil and gas waste pits. Last fall the industry launched a high profile campaign to oppose the pit rule claiming it is unnecessary and will simply cost operators too much to haul their waste or used closed-loop/pitless drilling systems."
"Tabled" January 21,2008
"Tabled" January 21,2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Santa Fe County Cancels Public Hearing
From a Santa Fe County email:
"Santa Fe
Contact: Stephen Ulibarri - Public Information Officer - 505.986.6353 - sulibarri@co.santa-fe.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
# # #
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tell Santa Fe County No to Fast-Tracking of the Oil & Gas Ordinance
Since Gov. Richardson's moratorium on OCD permits extends until mid July, and since he is calling for studies to discern the threats of O&G activity throughout the
Although oil & gas production has been the leading economic driver in
The critical management areas should be identified before the ordinance adoption. We also must learn more about the complex faults, fractures and the interconnected hydrogeology. There may be other areas along with the
So, please write the County Commissioners, the County Attorney and the County Manager about the following:
- Demand the County stop the fast-tracking oil & gas ordinance drafting process and postpone the two official public hearings about the ordinance until baseline studies are conducted and a long-term management plan for the County is in place. The County should work with the State to coordinate the necessary studies of hydrology and geology. In addition, U.S. Senator Bingaman and Representative Udall sponsored the Galisteo Basin Archeological Sites Protection Act that has not been funded. Until a comprehensive study of the archeology in the Galisteo Basin is conducted and incorporated into the County management plan, all oil & gas activity in the basin should be deferred.
- The County should extend the County moratorium to match the State moratorium, at a minimum.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Governor Richardson Announces Six Month Oil & Gas Drilling Moratorium in the Galisteo Basin
From a SantaFeNewMexican.com article:
"Gov. Bill Richardson didn't waste any time diving back into New Mexico politics after dropping out of the presidential race. Friday afternoon, he called for a six-month ban on oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin.
"I feel that there shouldn't be drilling in the Galisteo Basin. In my judgment, it's a very fragile ecosystem that has archaeological and groundwater issues," Richardson told a group of reporters during a news conference Friday at the Roundhouse. He said the ban will allow time to study the water systems and archaeological resources of the area."
"I feel that there shouldn't be drilling in the Galisteo Basin. In my judgment, it's a very fragile ecosystem that has archaeological and groundwater issues," Richardson told a group of reporters during a news conference Friday at the Roundhouse. He said the ban will allow time to study the water systems and archaeological resources of the area."
New Mexico PBS: New Mexico InFOCUS
"A hard look at the future of the oil and gas in New Mexico and the latest battleground in the fight over this precious resource: the Galisteo Basin. David Alire Garcia sits down with the head of the Oil and Gas Association and one of the leading voices of opposition, former green party candidate for the PRC, David Bacon."
From the discussion in Episode 119, see Tweeti Blancett in the Sierra Club "Episode 4: Range Wars Rage On" (Click here).
" They [citizens] don’t have a democratic right to decide what goes on in the county." -- Bob Gallagher, President of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association from Episode 119 InFOCUS.
County Ordinance to Prohibit Drilling in Culturally Significant Areas
From a Santa Fe County emai:
Santa Fe County’s proposed new oil and gas drilling ordinance will prohibit any drilling and exploratory activities that have the potential to disturb or destroy historic artifacts. The ordinance will require extensive archaeological surveys be submitted to both the Federal and State government as part of any permit application. In a letter to Santa Fe County Commissioners, Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall ask the Commission to “delay issuing leases for any activities, such as exploration or drilling, that have the clear potential to permanently disturb or destroy irreplaceable artifacts.” The revised ordinance is being reviewed to ensure compliance with the Congressional request.
“The new ordinance will provide the maximum safeguards permitted by State law” said County Commissioner Chairman
New Date for Oil & Gas Drilling Ordinance Hearing Set
From a Santa Fe County email:
The new date for Santa Fe County’s first public hearing for the proposed oil and gas drilling ordinance will be on January 22nd beginning at 3:00 PM in Santa Fe Community College’s Jemez room. The Jemez room can seat approximately 250 people and there is an overflow room that will have a live video feed of the meeting that holds an additional 250 people. The meeting will continue through the evening hours to guarantee the input of residents who work past 3:00 PM. The 2nd public hearing is slated for February 12th at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Public hearing cancelled due to winter storm
January 7, 2008
Oil & Gas Drilling Ordinance Public Hearing Cancelled Due to Winter Storm
The first public hearing on Santa Fe County’s proposed new oil and gas drilling ordinance slated for this afternoon at Santa Fe Community College has been cancelled due to the winter storm. The hearing will be rescheduled for a later date.
###
Contact: Stephen Ulibarri, Public Information Officer (505) 986-6353/795-0828
http://www.santafecounty.org/news_events/news.php?id=352
For excellent legal comments and hydrology report (click here).
Tony Bonanno Photography photographs from the December 6, 2007 public hearing: (click here).
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