The Banana Republic of New Mexico
Editor’s note: As a board member to a few non-profits and activist, I have been very active in working locally to preserve the environment in Santa Fe where I live for many years now. Here’s an editorial published in our local paper. Marc
Right now, during our current legislative session, Big Oil lobbyists are attempting to pass legislation that would prevent counties and towns from having any say about drilling or mining. This power grab should concern every citizen in every NM county, regardless of political affiliation.
Under the proposed bills, thousands of hours of resident’s efforts to create county plans would be voided, removing all limitations on where mining and drilling (and other industries) could take place.
“Pre-emption” would strip power from cities and counties statewide, but let’s consider some local impacts.
The Northern Galisteo Basin could be drilled for oil and mined for gold. The La Bajada view shed could be turned into a gravel pit. Residents of Lamy would have to live with a transfer station. The turquoise trail, one of NMs only national scenic byways with a vibrant tourist-based economy, could become a mining sacrifice zone. Santa Fe County’s Sustainability Plan, including the hard rock mining ordinance, would be voided.
This is not a partisan issue, nor limited to North-Central NM. Twenty-five New Mexico counties and towns have sensible zoning laws that guide extractive industries, providing protections that State rules lack, like setbacks for oil wells from homes, schools, or churches, or incentives to minimize access-road damage across rangeland.
For decades, the State has recognized these local laws, and industry has lived with them quite successfully. With the fracking boom, preventing inappropriate well location (which State rules fail to address) is even more critical to public health and safety.
Local regulations are the only ones that deal with the all-important location issues: No storage facility in a flood plain. No drilling a few feet from a private citizen’s home. Setbacks to protect environmentally sensitive zones, such as riparian areas. These common sense ordinances would be preempted by the proposed bills – and don’t exist in State rules.
In five separate antiregulatory bills Big Oil is demanding free rein over all surface area, regardless of the impact of pollution and noise on residents. They also want tax payers to keep picking up the tab for the real cost of their business.
In southeastern NM, damage to rural roads by 80,000 pound 18-wheel tankers and other oil field traffic will cost the state DOT 300 million dollars in road repairs and upgrades. This number dwarfs the seemingly impressive 165 million dollars in taxation garnered from oil in Artesia, Carlsbad and Hobb in 2013.
Naturally, big oil does not want to pay for their impact on our roads and other infrastructure, arguing that these costs are covered by state severance tax. However, the severance tax is a fee for taking minerals belonging to the people of NM, not a fund for repairing roads and polluted waterways.
Lobbyists parrot the usual anti-government argument that regulations hurt job creation. Don’t be fooled. Oil is a highly profitable, booming industry. Raucous Koch-brother inspired propaganda (ALEC) should not obscure our view of a massive corporate welfare scheme.
If Big Oil was truly interested in the well-being of NM communities, they would be working with our local communities to find solutions. However, they and their lobbyists are interested primarily in maximizing profits for out-of-state shareholders who live far from the damage they wreak in New Mexico.
It’s worth noting that other oil-producing states, including 6 of the top 8 producers, recognize the importance of local zoning and input on drilling.
Our State Constitution Bill of Rights, Section 2 states: All government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will and is instituted solely for their good. We must remind law-makers of all parties to uphold their sacred duties to protect our rights as citizens.
Big Oil must not be allowed to turn New Mexico into their banana republic.
For more information on how to take action, visit www.cvnm.org.
