New Mexico oil reform bill collapses amid industry opposition

New Mexico’s attempt to pass a reform bill to address the state's unplugged oil wells collapsed after industry groups opposed the final proposal they had helped shape.

Mark Olalde reports for ProPublica.

In short:

New Mexico's oil industry initially supported negotiations to address over 70,000 unplugged wells but opposed the final reform bill, leading to its collapse.
The proposed bill aimed to increase financial accountability for well plugging and establish safety zones around wells.
Industry lobbying and internal disagreements among stakeholders weakened the bill, preventing it from passing the House.

Key quote:

“We are continuing to work with policymakers to advance balanced regulations that enhance safety, sustainability and environmental stewardship and help ensure that American energy is produced responsibly from start to finish.”

— Holly Hopkins, American Petroleum Institute

Why this matters:

Unplugged wells pose significant environmental and public health risks, leaking toxic substances. Without reform, taxpayers may bear the financial burden of cleanup, exacerbating the already critical issue of orphan wells nationwide.

www.propublica.org

New Mexico oil reform bill collapses amid industry opposition

Judge allows Trump to cut more than $1bn in National Science Foundation grants

Wright and Burgum urge Europe to rethink methane curbs

Carbon capture – the get-out-of-jail-free card that does not actually work

In the Pacific, unkept U.S. promises on climate cut deep

Vanishing Bayous: On a boat at ground zero for sea level rise

Department of Energy allocates $134 million for fusion funding

Study finds Indigenous territories of Amazon rainforest can protect humans from disease

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.