skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Ranchers, Conservationists Not Feeling So “Well” Over Energy Boom

play audio
Play

Tuesday, September 18, 2007   

Washington, DC – An updated analysis from The Wilderness Society indicates more than 10,000 new oil and gas wells may be drilled in New Mexico over the next two decades. The news has ranchers and conservationists worried about possible damage to livestock, as well as soil and water quality. Tweeti Blancett, a former rancher in Aztec, says energy development ended her family's ranching operation, which had spanned six generations.

"We no longer ranch because oil and gas wells and contamination impacts the cattle; they die or they have miscarriages as a result of the contamination."

Nada Culver with The Wilderness Society compiled the analysis and says many drilling projects are being "fast-tracked." She hopes for provisions in the new energy bill that would slow down the process.

"We need a little more time for permitting, so there will be more consideration of how wells will impact the environment. We want to require public notice and comment before the stipulations to protect wildlife, that are now in place, are waived."

The vast majority of the proposed wells would be in Northwestern New Mexico, but plans also include Sierra and Otero counties. Blancett admits oil and gas provides important revenue for New Mexico and she isn't opposed to all drilling. However, she explains the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is not enforcing the current regulations meant to prevent environmental damage. The BLM and industry officials say those regulations are being followed.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021