New moratorium on drilling in Galisteo Basin
Over the past year, southern Santa Fe County has been at the center of a firestorm of controversy regarding oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin.
Fortunately, due to the vocal protests of thousands of concerned citizens, this February, Gov. Richardson issued an executive order calling for a six-month moratorium on drilling in Santa Fe County and the Galisteo Basin. The moratorium will allow for experts to study the effects of drilling on the Galisteo aquifer and sensitive wildlife habitats.
“We applaud Gov. Richardson’s decision,” said Environment New Mexico Preservation Associate Randall Coleman. “But in the long term, New Mexico should be exploring action that would permanently protect the Galisteo Basin and other sensitive ecological areas from all destructive drilling practices.”
Legal challenges ahead for Clean Cars Program
After an
overwhelming victory in November, in which the state adopted strict
greenhouse gas emission standards for new vehicles in New Mexico, the
issue is on its way to the courts.
Four state legislators and a
handful of businesses have filed suit in a district court, challenging
the authority of the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt the
standards. Several auto dealers and manufacturers have also filed a
federal lawsuit aimed at reversing the state’s decision.
“These
lawsuits are frivolous and without merit. The auto industry has lost
similar lawsuits in other states, and we’re confident these will be no
different. Automakers should spend their time and money on innovation,
not litigation,” said Environment New Mexico Advocate Lauren Ketcham.
New Mexico’s Galisteo Basin.
