The New Mexico Legislature's House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee convened on February 15, 2025, to discuss a significant bill aimed at enhancing transparency in the oil and gas industry regarding chemical usage. The meeting featured Senator Steinborn, who emphasized the importance of public awareness concerning the chemicals injected into the earth during oil and gas operations.

Senator Steinborn articulated two primary reasons for supporting the bill. First, he highlighted the public's right to know about the billions of gallons of water used by the industry, which poses potential risks to local water supplies and community health. He referenced his experience with contamination issues across the state, noting the ongoing challenges posed by pollutants such as chromium and PFAS, which threaten both tribal and public water sources.

The proposed legislation seeks to improve chemical disclosure in three key ways. It would ban the use of PFAS chemicals in oil and gas operations, a move supported by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NIMOGA). Additionally, the bill mandates that companies disclose the chemicals used in fracking fluids prior to obtaining drilling permits, rather than the current requirement of disclosing this information 45 days after drilling begins. Lastly, it introduces a new chemical disclosure process for non-fracking downhole oil and gas operations, ensuring that any chemicals used in New Mexico must be reported without violating trade secrets.

The committee's discussions underscored the urgency of establishing a more robust regulatory framework to protect public health and the environment from potential contamination linked to oil and gas activities. The meeting concluded with a call for further consideration of the bill, reflecting a growing commitment to transparency and safety in the state's energy sector.