Bill Richardson signs strongest protection in nation against Oil and Gas Drilling

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from the Richardson Solution: http://therichardsonsolution.typepad.com/


March 08, 2007

The law, effective July 1, requires that companies notify landowners 30 days prior to drilling-related operations, describe in detail what will go on and propose an agreement covering compensation for the use of _ and any damages to _ the land
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58227.html#


It goes further:


Landowners would have 20 days to accept or reject the agreement. If no agreement was reached, operators would have to post a bond before drilling wells. The law also requires reclamation of the property. Richardson said the new law shows that New Mexico is "an energy producer with sensitivity to the land and property rights and property owners." "We consider it to be the strongest landowner bill in the country," said Gwen Lachelt, director of the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, a Colorado-based advocacy organization for landowners that participated in the negotiations.


This is a serious boon for New Mexico and private property owners within our state. It also highlights an important aspect of Bill Richardson - his ability to bring parties together to broker serious agreements that benefit consumers but also allow for the continuity of economic and resource development. The article continues to highlight some of the major benefits that surface-owners recieve:


...New Mexico's law is notable for the extensive information that must be provided the landowner, the scope of damages that can be recovered _ for loss of agricultural income, or loss of land value, for example _ and for the reclamation requirement, she said. The new law also allows landowners to collect triple damages in court under some circumstances if operators enter land to drill wells without giving notice or having agreements or posting bonds. Gallagher described the legislation as fair and balanced and said it wouldn't impede production. He said companies already are doing much of what the new law requires.


Since you can't take at face value that all drilling operations will just naturally play by the rules, it is imperative that we create standards and regulations that create a fairer playing field for the entire operation . . .

http://therichardsonsolution.typepad.com/


from Heath Haussamen: http://haussamen.blogspot.com/2007/03/richardson-signs-surface-owners.html


Richardson signs surface owners protection act

{snip}

Under the compromise, the bill protects landowners who don’t own the mineral rights below their land, which is common in New Mexico. It requires the oil and gas industry to notify landowners 30 days prior to any oil and gas operations, to describe the operations, and to propose a surface use and compensation agreement.

The landowner then has 20 days to accept, negotiate or reject the offer. If no agreement is reached between the landowner and company, a bond must be posted before operations begin.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish praised Nuñez.

“As someone who grew up in the ‘oil patch’ down in Hobbs, N.M., I applaud Rep. Andy Nuñez for carrying House Bill 827, the House and Senate for passing the legislation and Governor Bill Richardson for signing it into law,” she said. “I want to acknowledge New Mexico’s oil and gas industry for joining with ranchers, landowners and legislators to craft sensible, sorely needed legislation to provide broad protections for surface owners.”

Attorney General Gary King agreed.

“For years, New Mexico has faced the challenge of balancing the needs of our thriving energy industry and respecting the rights of private land owners,” King said. “This bill brings all interests closer to that goal.”

http://haussamen.blogspot.com/2007/03/richardson-signs-surface-owners.html