By Mike Neas – In New Mexico Statute 70-2-1, the legislature make it clear with emphasis that the prohibition of waste is the duty of the Oil Conservation Division, (OCD). It states; “The division is hereby empowered, and it is its duty, to prevent waste prohibited by this act…”

The public doesn’t trust the OCD to protect the environment from methane emissions, which is waste, not conservation and specifically addressed in the statute. The OCD could/should lead in enforcing the requirements already existing in the enabling legislation. This is a short run cost of doing business for the oil and gas industry, but would benefit public health concerns and the state’s economy in the long run. Goodwill seems lacking at this time in the oil and gas industry profits approach to extracting its products.

Most of us know the reasons that the public is finally waking up and speaking up regarding the oil and gas industry processes and especially fracking and methane emissions. But the OCD follows the industry instead of helping to guide it. This is a negligent and destructive behavior which can possibly do long term harm to the economy of New Mexico, the education of New Mexicans and the health of New Mexicans. The oil and gas industry is an important stakeholder in our success as a State. This is not going to change in the very near future. But they must operate in a manner conducive to the longevity of the industry and the environmental concerns of the public.

I see the OCD’s current role and direction as a deterrent to any possible long term economic recovery for oil and gas in NM. This is because of their reluctance, or inability for whatever reasons, to curb the selfish profit oriented appetites of the industry. This profit at any cost business model is counterproductive and it is simply destroying the goodwill of the industry. Current extraction and production processes need to change.

I believe that our legislators should make a bipartisan effort to convince the oil and gas industry in NM and the OCD to placate the growing public sentiments especially in the Alb. Basin which is water to nearly a million people. And if comprehensive oil and gas ordnances aren’t adopted and adhered to, declare a no drill basin. We must save this water basin as a basin which will not become better known as an oil basin. The push for oil and gas ordinances is growing nationwide and it will continue to grow in NM unless Goliath quits bullying its way around the needs of the people. Our air and our water are important and our education and many other benefits of oil and gas tax income are also very important. Business as usual, needs to change.

We all drive our cars and we all benefit from severance taxes. Quality education is vital to our state’s future. And currently our educational system is overly dependent on an oil and gas industry that has potential to do both good and harm to our health, safety and general welfare. The negatives are becoming more and more apparent, but the oil and gas industry prefers to ignore growing public concerns. We all drink water and breathe air and rely on foods grown in uncontaminated soils. An industry that ignores the future for today’s profits should not be allowed to take us all down with it. This would seem a no brainer. Change the business plan now. It’s not too late.