(IPANM) Oct. 20, 2020 – WildEarth Guardians has filed a petition with the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) to outright outlaw accidental spills due to oil and gas operations, in addition to adding more stringent penalties for produced water spills.

The hearing could be scheduled for sometime in spring of 2021.  As IPANM understands the filing, the goal would be to give OCD more administrative authority under law to enforce clean-ups, in addition to possible mandatory fines for any spill and other enforcement actions.

If and when such a hearing is scheduled, IPANM will likely work to become a party to the hearing to defend operators against overly restrictive enforcement actions, contingent upon available funding for a legal defense. IPANM will keep members updated on this development.