SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Mora County commissioners have voted to continue a ban on oil and gas drilling that has triggered lawsuits from the oil industry but brought out a passionate defense from local residents concerned about pollution.
The ban put in place in April 2013 made the northern New Mexico County the only one in the nation to ban drilling. A practice known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking'' has led to dramatic boosts in production but triggered worries about damage to local water supplies.
The oil and gas industry says there are no environmental issues with “fracking.''
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the 2-1 vote by commissioners Tuesday night was a surprise because two commissioners had said they planned to repeal the ordinance. But Commissioner Alfonso Griego reversed his position.
