Democracy for New Mexico

Denish Endorses Clinton for Prez, Will Serve as State Chair

SANTA FE -- Lt. Governor Diane Denish today announced her endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president, along with her plans to serve as the campaign's statewide chair.

"I am standing with Hillary Clinton as the chair of her New Mexico campaign because she will fight every day she is in the White House for New Mexico's families and children. She has the heart, the record and the experience to bring about the change we need."

Lt. Governor Denish made the announcement during a teleconference call where she was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaigorosa, a national chair for the Hillary Clinton campaign. Among her reasons for the endorsement, the Lt. Governor cited Sen. Clinton's work on the State Children's Health Insurance Program, educational improvements and expansion of TriCare, a health care program for National Guard and Reservists.

"Most important, I believe she is the best prepared to end the war in Iraq responsibly and as quickly as possible," the Lt. Governor said. "New Mexicans know Hillary Clinton and how she has fought for people who have been invisible to this administration long enough. She shares our values at a critical time in our nation's history."

(Updated) Richardson Issues 6-Month Moratorium on Drilling Permits in Galisteo Basin

Bob Gallagher of the NM Oil and Gas Association and activist David Bacon discuss drilling in Santa Fe County on KNME's NM In Focus Friday

The plot thickens. On January 11, 2008, Gov. Bill Richardson announced at a press conference that he will issue an executive order that delays consideration of Galisteo basin oil and gas drilling permits by the State for six months:

"I feel that there shouldn't be drilling in the Galisteo Basin," said Richardson. He described it as a "very fragile ecosystem" and said there were concerns that drilling could affect the area's groundwater and archaeological sites.

In November 2007, a three-month moratorium on the issuance of drilling leases was enacted by the Santa Fe County Commission in response to a growing uprising by citizens and environment groups against drilling proposed by Tecton Energy of Houston. The County Commission is currently drafting a revised oil and gas drilling ordinance prompted by renewed interest in drilling in the County. The first public meeting on the proposed new law is currently scheduled for January 22, 2008, but it's unclear whether the County will now postpone the meeting due to the Governor's moratorium.

Also late last week, Rep. Tom Udall (NM-03) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman called upon Santa Fe County to hold off on issuing drilling leases until an archaeological management plan mandated by legislation they cosponsored, and which was enacted into law in March 2004, is funded and completed. They also urged the Bush adminstration's Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle, to provide the funding for the Secretary of Interior to undertake the comprehensive study of the archeological assets of the basin and to determine what actions are needed to protect them. (See my previous post.)

In response to these actions, Santa Fe County issued the following statement late Friday:

NO OIL & GAS DRILLING PERMITS CONSIDERED FOR 6 MONTHS
Santa Fe, NM – January 11, 2008 – Effective today and continuing for the next 6 months, no oil and gas drilling applications will be considered by the State. The 6 month moratorium, announced today by Gov. Bill Richardson, is put in place to allow time to ensure the protection of water, archaeological resources, and fragile ecosystems in the Galisteo Basin. 

Santa Fe County will be working closely with the State Oil Conservation Division during this time as it continues to work on an oil and gas drilling ordinance. County officials are currently considering the ramifications of the announcement. More information regarding next steps, possible hearing cancellations, and a new ordinance schedule will be available next week.

For more background on this issue, visit the websites of Drilling Santa Fe and Santa Fe Not Oil. Also check out the video at the top of this post of Friday's New Mexico In Focus show (episode 119) on KNME that featured a spirited discussion about oil and gas drilling in Santa Fe County with activist David Bacon and Bob Gallagher, President of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, moderated by host David Alire Garcia. Don't miss it.

Bingaman & Udall Urge Funding of Galisteo Basin Study, Ask County to Delay Leases

The Santa Fe County Commission will hold its first public hearing on their proposed new oil and gas drilling ordinance on January 22, at 3:00 PM in Santa Fe Community College’s Jemez room. A second public hearing is set for February 12 at 6:00 PM in the County Commission chambers.

In the meantime, two of New Mexico's members of Congress are working on another aspect of protecting New Mexico's unique treasures from potential damage from Tecton's proposed drilling in the Galisteo Basin, and have issued this statement:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and Representative Tom Udall are pressing the Bush administration for funding to produce an archaeological management plan for the Galisteo Basin, which is home to the largest ruins of Pueblo Indian settlements in the United States, spectacular examples of Native American rock art, and ruins of Spanish colonial settlements.

Simultaneously, the lawmakers have asked the Santa Fe County Commission to delay the issuance of drilling leases in the area until the management plan is completed.

In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle, Bingaman and Udall cite the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act, legislation they sponsored, which became Public Law No: 108-208 on March 19, 2004.  Their legislation requires the Secretary of Interior to undertake a comprehensive study of the archeological assets of the basin and to determine what actions are
needed to protect them. 

In their letter to Nussle, the lawmakers said, "We included this language because we know we have only just begun to take stock of all the prehistoric and historic archeological resources in this area yet they are constantly under threat of ruin by natural causes, urban development, vandalism, and uncontrolled excavations."

Bingaman and Udall expressed their deep concern that nearly four years after their legislation was enacted no funds have been proposed or released to recommend new areas for protection or to develop a management plan. They pressed Nussle to adequately fund the study, as directed by law, in fiscal year 2009.

In a separate letter to Santa Fe County Commissioners, Bingaman and Udall also urge the Santa Fe County Commission to "delay issuing leases for any activities, such as exploration or drilling, that have the clear potential to permanently disturb or destroy irreplaceable historic artifacts in the Galisteo Basin."

Text of the letters to both Director Nussle and the Santa Fe County Commission are included below.

Jim Nussle
Director, Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20503

Dear Director Nussle,

We are writing with regard to the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act, which became Public Law No: 108-208 on March 19, 2004. This law was written to help protect the many well preserved prehistoric and historic archaeological resources of Native American and Spanish colonial cultures found in the Galisteo Basin of New Mexico.

This law mandates that the Secretary of the Interior shall continue to search for additional Native American and Spanish colonial sites in the Galisteo Basin area and, within three years of funding being made available, make recommendations for additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the boundaries of the list of archaeological protection sites in the Act. We included this language because we know we have only just begun to take stock of all the prehistoric and historic archeological resources in this area yet they are constantly under threat of ruin by natural causes, urban development, vandalism, and uncontrolled excavations. The Secretary is further directed by the Act to, within three years of funding being made available, develop a management plan to provide for the identification, research, protection, and public interpretation of sites in the Basin.

We are deeply concerned that, to date, no funds have been proposed for either of these purposes. The threats remain, and these invaluable resources continue to degrade. We ask that as you prepare the budget for Fiscal Year 2009 you include adequate funding to commence the investigation, cataloguing and preservation of the uniquely North American archeological treasures in the Galisteo Basin of New Mexico.

Thank you very much for your prompt consideration of our request.

Santa Fe County Commission
102 Grant Avenue
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Dear Commissioners:

In 2004, we sponsored and passed into law the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act because many well preserved prehistoric and historic archaeological resources of Native American and Spanish colonial cultures were found in the Galisteo Basin and the surrounding area, but were yet to be fully identified and protected. These resources, in large part unique to New Mexico, include the largest ruins of Pueblo Indian settlements in the United States, spectacular examples of Native American rock art, and ruins of Spanish colonial settlements. Over time, it was becoming evident that these invaluable resources were being threatened by decay and erosion, urban development, vandalism, and uncontrolled excavations.

The law states that the Secretary of the Interior must continue to search for additional Native American and Spanish colonial sites in the Galisteo Basin area and, within three years of funds being made available, make recommendations for additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the boundaries of the list of archaeological protection sites. Additionally, the Secretary is directed to prepare a general management plan for the identification, research, protection, and public interpretation of the archaeological protection sites located on federal land and for sites on state or private lands for which the Secretary has entered into cooperative agreements.

The identification and development of plans for the protection of the wealth of historic artifacts that exist in this area is still in its early stages. Accordingly, we ask you to delay issuing leases for any activities, such as exploration or drilling, that have the clear potential to permanently disturb or destroy irreplaceable historic artifacts in the Galisteo Basin. We will continue to work to secure the federal funding necessary to complete these surveys.

We thank you for your consideration.
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For more info on these issues, visit these websites:

• Drilling Santa Fe
• Santa Fe Not Oil

Also see our previous post, which contains links to older posts and other sources of info.

(Updated) Tonight's NM In Focus: Galisteo Basin Drilling, Richardson Prez Campaign

UPDATE 1/14/08: You can see video of Friday's show by visiting my subsequent post on this controversial issue.
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You can tune into this week's New Mexico In Focus on KNME public television tonight at 7:00 PM, with a repeat airing on Sunday at 6:30 AM. The In Focus segment of the show will take a hard look at the future of oil and gas drilling in New Mexico and the latest battleground in the fight over this precious resource: the Galisteo Basin. David Alire Garcia sits down with David Bacon, energy consultant, advocate and former Green Party candidate for the PRC, and Bob Gallagher, President of the New Mexico Oil and Gass Association, for a look at an industry that brings in millions of dollars per year to the state, but is under pressure by many who want tighter regulations to minimize or eliminate environmental threats posed by increased drilling.

Also, host Gene Grant and The Line panel will be discussing Gov. Bill Richardson's withdrawal as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination and the highlights and lowlights of his campaign, as well as the upcoming legislative session. Guest panelists include New Mexico bloggers Mario Burgos and Heath Haussamen, and John Wertheim, former New Mexico Democratic Party chairman.

Come to the Roundhouse Comedy Revue

From New Mexico Voices for Children:
Join us for an evening of laughs as we poke fun at New Mexico’s own unique brand of politics. The Roundhouse Comedy Revue is Monday, January 21, 2008, 8-10 PM, at the Lodge at Santa Fe, 750 N. St. Francis Dr. Tickets are $50. Proceeds benefit NM Voices for Children. Visit our website to purchase tickets online and for sponsorship opportunities.

1/11/08: Join Peaceful March Against Santa Fe County Drilling

12/8/07 march. Photo credit: Tony Bonanno

From Drilling Santa Fe:
On Friday, January 11th, a twilight march to protest oil and gas drilling and exploration in Santa Fe County will begin at 5:30 PM from the park by the U.S. Courthouse at Washington and Federal Place, then proceed to the Santa Fe Plaza. Dr. Jerry Held has obtained a permit and suggests bringing torches, flashlights and candles. For more information email drillingsantafe@earthlink.net.

Dr. Held, who is concerned about the long term health effects upon our Santa Fe County citizens from the possibility of oil and gas activity in the County, also organized a peaceful march to the Plaza on December 8th. Tony Bonanno Photography has photographs of the December 8th march. (Tony has given permission for free downloading and use of the pictures.) Related sites: Our Stolen Future and NRDC Endocrine Disruptors.

Cancelled: Tonight's Public Meeting on Oil & Gas Drilling Ordinance

Due to a winter storm on the way, the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners has cancelled the public meeting scheduled for tonight on the proposed oil and gas drilling ordinance. Drilling Santa Fe has the news.

Jason Marks Elected PRC Chair

Congratulations Jason! The AP reports that Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks (right) has been elected by his fellow commissioners as the agency's new chairman, succeeding Ben Ray Lujan in that post. Lujan remains on the PRC serving his present term, and is running as a Democrat in the NM-03 2008 Congressional race. Marks, who represents PRC District 1 in the Albuquerque area, was elected to the PRC in 2004 and has served as vice chairman for three years. Commissioner Sandy Jones of PRC District 5, another Democrat, was selected as the new vice chairman.

Marks, a Democrat known as "the consumers' watchdog," is running for reelection to the PRC this year and is expected draw a Republican challenger. I guess they don't like his common sense views on global warming and renewable energy, as expressed in his recent op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal entitled, "Big-Oil Subsidies Aren't Key to Energy Future." As Marks writes,

Across the country, especially in states like New Mexico that have renewable portfolio standards, the public is benefiting environmentally and economically from the placement of wind, solar and biomass plants.

These renewable projects provide jobs and revenues to rural communities, and in our experience here in New Mexico, wind energy is a lower cost supply of electricity than natural gas!

You can read more about Marks' views on the PRC's role in dealing with the challenge of "a transition from fossil fuel dependence to an energy future based on clean and sustainable technologies" in a text version of his campaign kickoff speech I posted in October. It's a keeper.

(Updated) 1/7/08: Public Hearing on Santa Fe County Oil & Gas Drilling Ordinance

UPDATE Noon, 1/7/08: The meeting has been cancelled due to an approaching winter storm.
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From Santa Fe NOT Oil: 1st PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED OIL & GAS DRILLING ORDINANCE ON JAN. 7TH: Santa Fe – January 2, 2008 – The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners will be holding the first of two public hearings on the proposed new oil and gas drilling ordinance on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 3:00 PM at the Santa Fe Community College Gymnasium, 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508-4887. For more information contact: Stephen Ulibarri, Santa Fe County Public Information Officer (505) 986-6353/795-0828.

See our other recent posts on this issue:

• Tecton Says 'Frack You': Denies Request to Withdraw Drilling Applications in Santa Fe County
• Latest on Galisteo Basin Oil & Gas Drilling
• Next Santa Fe County Public Meeting on Oil & Gas Drilling Set for 12.6.07
• NM State Rep. Wirth Requests Galisteo Basin Drilling Moratorium (contains links to previous posts)

Another excellent source of info about proposed drilling in the Galisteo Basin can be found at the DrillingSantaFe.com. A coalition has formed to protect the resources of Santa Fe County from the possibility of oil and gas extraction and will offer positive alternative solutions:

• Commonweal Conservancy
• Drilling Santa Fe
• Earthworks Institute
• IATSE Local 480
• New Mexico Environmental Law Center
• Oil & Gas Accountability Project (OGAP)
• Santa Fe Conservation Trust
• Wildlife Federation

Tonight on We The People: DPNM Chairman Brian Colon

Happy New Year from WE THE PEOPLE
Guest: Brian Colon, Chairman, Democratic Party of NM
Watch - Think - Call-in! (505) 346-1633
New Day & Time: Channel 27, Wednesday, January 2nd, 6 PM

Not a cable subscriber?  Watch simultaneously on your  high-speed computer: https://www.quote-unquote.org. Click for Channel 27s Media Stream ---> down the page on the Right. WE THE PEOPLE is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state, and federal governments.

THANKS FOR WATCHING
Mickey Bock, Host; Judith Binder, Producer