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New Mexico County Wants Drilling Ban Extended

The San Miguel County Commission is being urged to slow work on a proposed ordinance on oil and gas drilling.

The Planning and Zoning Commission says it's not ready to address perceived shortcomings in the proposed ordinance and that a moratorium on exploration should be extended for another two years.

The moratorium has been in effect for more than three years.

The Las Vegas Optic reports that the planning panel presented its recommendation to the proposed ordinance to the commission on Tuesday.

County Attorney Jesus Lopez says the moratorium can be extended if it's done for sound public policy reasons and done reasonably.

The ordinance currently being considered would allow drilling in the eastern part of the county, though it attempts to prohibit drilling near rivers or streams.

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