New Mexico’s economy could get a significant boost if oil and gas producers were to promptly remediate the unplugged oil and gas wells on state trust and private lands, according to economic research firm O’Donnell Economics.

new mexico production

A cleanup effort would pump $8.2 billion into the New Mexico economy and support 65,337 job years, or the equivalent of three years of employment for 21,779 New Mexicans, a new report found. This would translate into $4.1 billion in wages, salaries and benefits to employees and sole proprietors.

“A concerted effort to clean up unplugged oil and gas wells, tanks and pipelines on state and private land in New Mexico offers the state tremendous job and economic benefits, in addition to addressing an environmental and public health problem,” said Kelly...