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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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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.

Report: Drive to Drill Too Fast For Industry?

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Monday, June 9, 2008   

Santa Fe, NM - Local laws to protect clean water in New Mexico and the West are considered "impediments" to boosting domestic oil and gas production. That's the federal government's view, according to a new analysis of federal documents by The Wilderness Society. It shows that millions of currently-leased acres are sitting idle, while the government continues to push for new lease agreements with energy developers.

Report co-author Dave Alberswerth says developers are drilling on only about one-quarter of the total amount of land they've leased, even as new leases are being offered and snapped up at a record pace. He takes issue with one recent government report that blames local communities for "hindering" energy development, when, he says, they're just taking precautions to ensure that their water isn't contaminated.

"They're critical of local government entities for wanting to protect their water supplies."

Alberswerth says drilling has been a booming industry for New Mexico, but there's even greater potential for the state to lead the way with alternative energy sources.

Fellow co-author Eleanor Huffines, also with The Wilderness Society, acknowledges that oil and gas exploration has been great for state revenues, and for a small group of workers and businesses. However, she adds, it hasn't affected most New Mexicans, who are dealing with the same fuel price hikes as other U.S. consumers.

"People are, rightfully so, concerned about prices at the pump - and we need to have a dialogue that helps resolve some of the stress, and to look at alternative energy."

Critics of The Wilderness Society's analysis say the rush to explore and drill is a result of the public's increased demand for energy and the nation's desire for energy independence.

The report is online at www.wilderness.org.




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