New Mexico had about 800 cases of water pollution and 421 of those were caused by sludge pits. To protect the natural resource that we cannot live without, water, New Mexico passed stricter legislation.
The article in the Albuquerque Journal requires a subscription but I received it via email.
The same industry that earned 400 Billion in profit last year and is slated to receive more than $32.9 billion in handouts from taxpayers over the next five years says they cannot afford to take these measures to protect New Mexican’s water so they will just pick up their rigs and move to Texas where our legislators care nothing at all about protecting water.
An industry that only cares about money, continually points to the money drilling brings to communities. Money is meaningless when you are thirsty but you have no clean water to drink.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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I don't know where you are getting your figures, but in New Mexico where I am at, the dwindling jobs in the oil and gas industry continue to dry up as oil company, refineries, and service companies steadily withdraw from New Mexico and go to other states. In the town I live in, just yesterday a local refinery laid off 100 workers and are shutting their plant. The NM Pit rules are what has pushed many of these companies over the edge. You don't think Texas can be affected for the same reasons? You'd better think twice before you run off your oil companies!
The post you're commenting on is from almost a year ago. Regardless, the industry is dwindling because gas prices are low due to a glut. The dwindling has nothing to do with tougher regulations.
I would rather have no job than no water and dirty air.
Due to a 'glut', huh? Let me refer you to an article about the refinery I am speaking of at http://www.daily-times.com/ci_13751537?source=most_viewed
If I can quote a small portion of the article that says, "Due to a shortage in affordable crude supplies in the region, Western Refining had cut collective production at the Bloomfield and Gallup refineries from 40,000 barrels daily to 25,000 barrels, according to the company."
Perhaps there is a glut somewhere else, but I'm afraid to again state as fact that the NM Pit Rules have factored in pushing our local oil production companies over the edge. The functional companies are not simply going elsewhere (to other states) where they will not have these additional costs. This is a fact.
There is a natural gas glut. I'm talking about n. gas.
I'm very sorry about your employment situation but you can't expect the general population to give up safe water so oil field hands can have a job! Go back to school and find a safer occupation.
Good luck!