ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A proposal that would have set the stage for the storage of carbon dioxide emissions deep underground by establishing ownership rights for pore space in New Mexico simply ran out of time during the 30-day legislative session.
The measure made its way through both chambers and needed to be considered one last time by the full Senate so it could be sent to the governor. However, it was lost in the frenzied crunch just before adjournment.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Clint Harden of Clovis, calls the outcome a "huge disappointment."
Other Western states have already clarified pore space ownership rights.
Harden says without the legislation, New Mexico could miss out on the billions of federal dollars that are going to carbon capture and storage research and development.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
