SUPPORT SB 459

Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

Senator Benny Shendo, Jr.

Senator William Soules

Senator Nancy Rodriguez

Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero

• A four-year moratorium on new fracking permits so that agencies have time to report;
• Reporting requirements from seven state agencies on the impacts of fracking;
• Requires agencies to provide policy and funding recommendations to properly regulate fracking in New Mexico.

SB 459 calls on the constitutional obligation of the New Mexico Legislature to “provide for control of pollution and control of despoilment of the air, water and other natural resources of this state, consistent with the use and development of these resources for the maximum benefit of the people.” It places a four year moratorium on new oil and gas permits wherein the Energy Minerals Natural Resources Department, Department of Agriculture, Environment Department, Department of Health, Office of the State Engineer, Indian Affairs Department, and Workers Compensation Administration are directed to report on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, as well as recommendations for legislation and necessary appropriations to conduct analysis.

In a presentation before Senate Conservation Committee during the 2019 Legislative session, New Mexico's Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department revealed that the State of NM has little information about the impacts of fracking and that there is nothing in the law currently that allows them to regulate fracking differently than conventional vertical drilling.

New Mexico’s leadership are unable to make informed decisions regarding oil and gas regulation because there is a glaring lack of knowledge and reporting requirements related to multi-stage hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling and the impacts of this industry on our lands, water, air, and public health and safety.

This bill finally provides for the State of New Mexico to learn the truth about fracking. The bill allows for reasonable restraint, asking for a pause on new fracking permits until state agencies are able to report to decision-makers about the actual and potential impacts that the fracking industry has on New Mexico’s people, air, land, water, resources, and the economy of our state.