Oil and gas operators must put up a bond that is supposed to cover the cost of cleanup after operations are completed. Due to outdated bonding rules, the public ends up paying to plug wells to prevent them from releasing toxins into the air and water. In the last five years, over $100 million in public funds–state and federal–has been spent to clean up abandoned wells. We still face up to $1.6 billion in future cleanup costs.
New Mexicans overwhelmingly support reform. In fact, 89% want corporations–not taxpayers–to pay for cleanup.
The Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) will begin hearings to modernize the bonding and cleanup rules for oil and gas operations. Add your voice to this effort by joining the hearing!
When:
- October 20 through November 7, 2025
In-Person:
- Pecos Hall, Wendell Chino Building, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Virtual Link:
- Online: Join via Microsoft Teams or dial-in
- Join a Microsoft Teams Meeting by ID | Microsoft Teams
- Meeting ID: 257 871 029 212 2
- Passcode: QD2eM2vG
- The meeting is also accessible at the following web address:
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
- Join a Microsoft Teams Meeting by ID | Microsoft Teams
- Phone: Dial in by phone
- +1 505-312-4308 United States, Albuquerque
- 888-506-1357 United States (Toll-free)
- Phone conference ID: 951 093 07#
For any questions about how to participate in the hearing, please contact the Commission Clerk at occ.hearings@emnrd.nm.gov or 505-699-8358.
Here’s the bottom line: if you drill it, you should clean it up. 100% of the time.
Right now, oil and gas corporations can drill dozens or even hundreds of wells in New Mexico while posting a total of just $250,000 in clean-up bonds. That doesn’t come close to the actual cost of cleanup, which the Legislative Finance Committee determined averages $163,000 per well, with some wells costing over $700,000.
These abandoned wells don’t just create financial risk for New Mexicans; they’re dangerous. Methane and toxins leak into the air and our groundwater, harming wildlife and public health, especially in rural and Tribal communities.
These rule updates ensure that the corporations profiting from New Mexico’s land are also fully responsible for plugging their wells. If bonding isn’t set high enough now, during the boom, there’s often not enough money left to cover cleanup after the bust, shifting the cost to the public.
Please tell the OCC to adopt stronger bonding rules. Let’s protect our air, water, and wallets and make sure no one gets to profit while leaving the rest of us with the mess.
Here are some important details around joining the hearing sessions and commenting, either in-person or in writing:
If you’d like to review some talking points, click here.
Public Comments
- Oral comments are preferred (in-person or virtual), but written comments are accepted
- Oral comments are limited to 3 minutes
Comment Times
- October 20 – from 4:00-5:00 pm
- After Oct. 20 – 9:00-10:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm
- A Spanish language translator will be available at 4-5 pm on October 20, 21, 27, and November 3, 2025
How to Comment
- Recommended: Email or call Sheila Apodaca, Commission Clerk, at occ.hearings@emnrd.nm.gov or 505-699‑8358 in advance to register. Reference the Case No. 24683 and provide the time slot you’re available to speak – either 9:00 am or 4:00 pm. They will call on each public commenter when it is their turn.
- Walk-in Option: You may also sign in on-site or online before the hearing begins
- Sign up in person at the hearing room to speak
Tips for Effective Participation
- Write or speak clearly and briefly–identify yourself, your affiliation (if any), and your position (support or concern)
- Focus on how stronger bonding rules will protect New Mexico’s land, water, health, and taxpayers
- Use value-based messaging: “If they drill it, they clean it. No exceptions.”
- Reserve your spot and submit comments early to ensure your voice is heard
Written Comments
Prepare Your Comment
- Clearly state that you are commenting in support of the rulemaking to modernize NM’s bonding and cleanup rules
- Share your own story or reasons for supporting the proposed bonding rules updates
- Reference Case No. 24683 in the subject line and body of your email
Submit By Deadline
- Deadline: 5:00 pm on the final day of the hearing (the last weekday the hearing is in session unless extended)
Where to Send It
- Email: Sheila Apodaca, Commission Clerk, occ.hearings@emnrd.nm.gov
- Mail/In-Person Delivery: Sheila Apodaca, Commission Clerk
Wendell Chino Building, 1220 S. St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505 - Reference Case No. 24683 in your comment