Wednesday, January 11, 2012

New Mexico judge halts pit rule appeals

Susan Montoya Bryan | The Associated Press

"ALBUQUERQUE — A state district judge on Tuesday sided with New Mexico's oil and gas industry, putting on hold legal appeals related to efforts by the industry to revamp rules for handling drilling and production wastes.

The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association had asked for the appeals process to be halted so the state Oil Conservation Commission could tackle the so-called pit rule administratively.

The commission has scheduled a weeklong hearing later this month to address the industry's proposed changes to the rule, but environmentalists are seeking to stop the proceeding. " More>>>>