Prohibit Toxic Spills

There are an average of 4 spills of toxic liquid waste from oil and gas production every day in New Mexico.

Oil and gas facilities spill crude oil, wastewater, chemicals, acid, liquid natural gas, gelled brine, and other toxic liquid wastes. These spills put public health at risk, contaminate New Mexico’s land, air, and water, and desecrate Indigenous sacred sites and landscapes.

To protect New Mexico from spills of toxic liquid waste, the state must:

• Prohibit spills of toxic liquid waste from oil and gas production.

• Require mandatory penalties for spills.

• Require emergency notification to communities impacted by a spill.

• Require identification of the chemical and radionuclide composition of produced water or treated produced water that is spilled into the environment.

• Require the regulation, tracking, and reporting of produced water and treated produced water transportation and use.