The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission is holding a hearing to discuss banning PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in fracking operations amid concerns about potential water contamination and lack of chemical disclosure by oil and gas companies.
Hannah Grover reports for New Mexico Political Report.
In short:
- WildEarth Guardians petitioned New Mexico regulators to ban PFAS in oil and gas extraction, citing environmental and health risks.
- The Oil Conservation Division’s proposal aligns with WildEarth’s goal to regulate PFAS but stops short of requiring full disclosure of all proprietary chemicals.
- Industry groups argue PFAS have not been purposefully used in fracking and support PFAS regulation only if enforceable and based on scientific capabilities.
Key quote:
“If we don’t know the chemicals that are going downhole, then we can’t be certain that those chemicals are not PFAS.”
— Tim Davis, WildEarth Guardians
Why this matters:
PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to health issues, including cancer and reproductive harm. Regulating their use in oil and gas could prevent contamination of water sources, but full transparency remains controversial due to trade-secret protections.
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