Three Month Oil Drilling Reprieve for Santa Fe County
What: Santa Fe County Forum on Oil & Gas Drilling in the Galisteo Basin
When: December 6th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Fe High School Gymnasium, 2100 Yucca St.
Santa Fe County Residents have received a three month reprieve from any possible oil drilling in the Galisteo Basin. The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners has placed a three month moratorium on applications to drill an oil or natural gas well. The moratorium expires on February 27, 2008. In the meantime, Santa Fe County will be developing a a new ordinance that contains specific provisions governing oil and natural gas exploration. Santa Fe County will host a forum to discuss proposed oil & gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin on December 6th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Santa Fe High School Gymnasium. Santa Fe County Commissioners and staff, State Legislators, and State Oil Conservation Division representatives will be in attendance. Please attend the public forum if you would like to join in the debate on changes to the Santa Fe County Oil and Natural Gas Ordinance.
Tecton Energy's lease of mineral rights in the Galisteo Basin has brought the issue of oil use and drilling to the forefront of discussion in Santa Fe County. Previously, it was easy to think about oil exploration and well drilling in abstract terms. Now, it is possible, if not likely, that oil wells, drilling pads and waste pits could be located in back yards throughout Santa Fe County. The idea of having an oil pump operating 500 feet or less from the front door of your home is repulsive to many people. But, given the current demand and resulting high price for fossil fuels companies like Tecton Energy have a huge incentive to drill for crude oil and natural gas wherever it exists.
The upcoming public forum at the Santa Fe High School Gym is a perfect opportunity to participate in the debate over fossil fuel exploration in Santa Fe County. Now is also the time to consider how each of us uses gasoline and natural gas in our cars, trucks, homes and workplaces. Only by significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels can we reduce the need for oil companies to drill in Santa Fe County and elsewhere.
More Info
Draft Oil and Natural Gas Ordinance
Santa Fe New Mexican: County approves oil-gas drilling moratorium
