Oil and gas companies in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming reported a concerning 2,791 spills in 2023, releasing a total of 6.5 million gallons of toxic materials into the environment. According to the Center for Western Priorities, these spills pose a significant threat to wildlife, water sources, and the overall ecosystem.
New Mexico had the highest number of spills with 1,479 incidents, leaking 4.5 million gallons of liquids, while Wyoming reported 898 spills releasing 1.3 million gallons and Colorado had 414 spills totaling 719,124 gallons. Despite the alarming numbers, there has been a decrease in spill volume over the past decade, indicating that regulations aimed at curbing spills are working effectively.
Kate Groetzinger, the report author, emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen regulations to prevent future spills. She highlighted that most spills are the result of equipment failure and suggested that oil companies should focus on investing in equipment upgrades to address this issue rather than prioritizing dividends for shareholders.
The environmental impact of these spills is significant, with contaminated ground, polluted aquifers, and poisoned wildlife and drinking water. Groetzinger urged states to take proactive measures to protect their ecosystems and communities from the detrimental effects of oil and gas spills.
This news story was brought to you by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between several public radio stations, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The report serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by oil and gas drilling and the importance of prioritizing environmental protection in the industry.
