Bill gives control over pores to land-owners

Property owners might someday earn extra money from leasing the space between rocks under their land to store carbon dioxide and other substances. Storing greenhouse gases underground rather than releasing them into the atmosphere could help reduce global warming. A bill introduced in the state Senate by Clint D. Harden, R-Clovis, would give land owners control over the subsurface "pore space." Under the bill, if the surface land was sold, the rights to the pore space would go with it, unless specifically excluded. The owners of mineral rights would still have the right to mine oil and gas from pore spaces. Wyoming was the first state to pass a pore-space bill. California and Montana are considering similar measures. Pore spaces could also be used to store compressed air, which can be used to turn wind turbine blades to generate power when the wind doesn't blow. Harden's original bill caused some consternation at the Office of the State Engineer and the Oil Conservation Division. Both are working on a substitute bill addressing their concerns...Santa Fe New Mexican