Toxic Drilling Wastes are the Pits
The ink was barely dry on the New Mexico’s new Oil Pit Rule when the NM Independent Petroleum Association, ConocoPhillips and others sued to overturn it NM District Court. The new Rule, for which the Law Center ardently advocated in 2007, is the most stringent in the nation; it governs the management and disposal of toxic drilling by-products at drilling sites.
Some requirements:
- All temporary disposal pits must be permitted by the State, and all pits must have heavy-duty liners.
- Drillers must use “closed-loop” tanks near water resources, rather than storing wastes in open pits that can leak into nearby wells, rivers or groundwater.
- A significant amount of contamination must be hauled to licensed disposal sites; waste disposed of on-site must meet groundwater quality standards before being buried.
On behalf of the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, the Law Center intervened in the appeal in order to defend the Rule. We are also working to fight industry-backed efforts
to weaken the Pit Rule through other channels; this case is unfolding as we go to press, so please see our website for updates.
FACTS:
- There are an estimated 100,000 active and inactive pits in New Mexico.
- Industry is required to report any release of more than 210 gallons.
- As of December 2008, the Oil Conservation Division is aware of more than 500 self-reported groundwater contamination instances related to pits.
Posted by Juana Colon on 04/01 •
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