Santa Fe, NM – Over the course of June 9 and 10 the Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) held a hearing and approved the joint proposal by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and WildEarth Guardians to amend the release rules, NMAC 19.15.29. The changes prohibit major and minor spills from oil and gas industry operations, encouraging operators to take actions to minimize spills while giving the Oil Conservation Division increased authority to take enforcement actions against operators who spill. 

The Commission will adopt the final order approving the rule amendments on July 8.

Additional information, including the legal notice, rule language, technical documents, and pre-hearing statements can be found here.