Evaluation of energy legislation in New Mexico today
As an introduction to the discussion of legislation the wealth of the energy resources of New Mexico is contrasted with the fact that the state's per capita income is the lowest in the USA. During the 1977 session of the New Mexico Legislature, 72 energy-related bills were introduced, and 34 became law. A measure enacted that related directly to petroleum and natural gas established a Natural Gas Pricing Act that controls the price of natural gas at the wellhead for wells brought into production before January 1, 1975. The state plugging bond wells was increased from $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000. A tax of 0.01% on gas and oil production was levied to establish the Reclamation Fund which would have the responsibility of plugging abandoned wells when there was no other person or association to do so. Funds were allocated to establish the New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center that is to develop tertiary recovery methods for oil. Other energy-related bills enacted that were not directly related to petroleum or natural gas exclusively raised state taxes on natural gas, coal, and uranium: addressed the question of energy impacts on New Mexico communities; addressed the impact of Federal land policies on New Mexico; and addressed problems of tax incentives related to solar energy. (BLM)
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, Santa Fe
- OSTI ID:
- 5580858
- Journal Information:
- Interstate Oil Compact Comm. Com. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Interstate Oil Compact Comm. Com. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 19:1; ISSN IOCBA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
1979 New Mexico legislative session: energy issues and legislation. [WIPP]
New Mexico's state solar program
Related Subjects
017000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
02 PETROLEUM
021000 -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
03 NATURAL GAS
031000 -- Natural Gas-- Legislation & Regulations
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LEGAL ASPECTS
NATURAL GAS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA