Groups Boycott Tecton Meetings

Tecton's recent actions demonstrate a 'blatant disregard' for the effort to hold meaningful public dialogue

Representatives of several local environmental groups don't believe Tecton Energy is bringing a spirit of good faith to ongoing discussions on drilling for oil and natural gas in Santa Fe County.

So the groups decided Thursday they won't be a part of the meetings organized by County Commissioner Paul Campos until the Houston-based company concedes several key points, a decision that could further polarize an already contentious situation.

Seven individuals, some representing groups such as WildEarth Guardians, Drilling Santa Fe and the Sierra Club, signed a letter Thursday sent to Campos that explained their stance.

The letter, which prompted Campos to cancel a meeting scheduled for this morning, claims Tecton's recent actions demonstrate a "blatant disregard" for the effort to hold meaningful public dialogue.

On the same day as the last stakeholders meeting, Dec. 13, Tecton filed for three drilling permits for sites in the Galisteo Basin with the state's Oil Conservation Division. The company has yet to file applications with the county.

Johnny Micou, the director of the grass-roots Drilling Santa Fe group, said Thursday the very format of the stakeholder meetings made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"I made it clear we don't want to be perceived in any way as negotiating with industry," Micou said.

The boycott of today's meeting, which Campos said he hopes to reschedule, hinges on two main complaints, which if resolved, could bring the drilling opponents back into the fold.

The first demand is that Tecton withdraw its pending applications with the state, an action the company has already refused to do once. The second is an explicit acknowledgement by Tecton that county commissioners have the authority to regulate land use within county boundaries.

The county is in the process of creating a new ordinance dealing specifically with oil and gas extraction. The task could be completed by the end of January, though commissioners also approved a three-month drilling moratorium on Nov. 28.

Yet, as the process moves forward, some skeptics remain uneasy about commissioners meeting with Tecton officials behind closed doors, regardless of whether drilling opponents are also present.

"It's not necessary the city invite industry to create what's essentially a zoning ordinance," Micou said.

But despite their concerns, Micou and others indicated they're still eager to continue discussions with county commissioners in a public setting.

The next scheduled such hearing will be held Jan. 7. Following that meeting, members of the public will have until Jan. 23 to submit written comment on the revised draft ordinance.

Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Journal - Reprinted with permission


 

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