"In N.M., 3,600 Violations, 1 Court Case, 0 Fines"

"New Mexico oil and gas regulators haven't fined a single driller for violations this year. They didn't last year, either. Or the year before that."

"That's not for a lack of problems at well sites. Since 2010, inspectors recorded more than 3,600 violations.

Instead, it's because the state Oil Conservation Division hasn't had the authority to levy fines since March 2009. So when inspectors find a problem, there's not much they can do except ask the driller to fix it.

'We play a lot of poker,' explained Daniel Sanchez, the agency's chief of enforcement."

Mike Soraghan reports for EnergyWire November 14, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Oil And Gas Ban Spurs Lawsuit In NM County" (AP)