IPANM (August 5, 2022) – At 5 p.m. MT today, the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) filed a Notice of Appeal to legally challenge the Environmental Improvement Board’s adopted Ozone Precursor Rule.

The following statement has been released by Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, regarding IPANM’s filing an appeal to the Ozone Precursor Rule.

“At a time when the public supports responsible domestic production to reduce gasoline prices and a decrease in our dependency on foreign sources of energy that are unquestionably worse for the environment, IPANM strongly feels this is the wrong rule at the wrong time. While IPANM does support a fair and balanced Ozone Precursor regulation, we have no choice but to appeal this version of the rule that will force operators to plug still-productive wells and will inflict economic hardship on New Mexicans with little to no gain for the environment.”

Today’s filing with the New Mexico State Court of Appeals against the Environmental Improvement Board will be followed by technical arguments to be filed by IPANM within 30 days that will identify the specific provisions to be challenged. With the matter now in the court, IPANM will not comment on the specifics of the pending objections other than to point to our concerns raised throughout the 3-year process that were not included in the New Mexico Environment Department’s final draft rule submitted to the EIB.

–Jim Winchester
Executive Director, Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico