from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association
Before the 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session began, PBPA learned that the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) Director Adrienne Sandoval would be leaving the agency and taking a position with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 8 office.
In May, however, OCD announced that acting director, and general counsel for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Dylan Fuge, was named the new full-time Director of the OCD. Mr. Fuge had been serving as acting OCD director since January and had been serving as general counsel for EMNRD prior to that. As general counsel, Mr. Fuge advised EMNRD’s secretary and divisions in matters related to natural resources and regulatory issues. While he is taking on the title of OCD director, Mr. Fuge will continue to serve as general counsel for EMNRD until that position is filled.
Mr. Fuge previously worked at T-Mobile in permitting efforts and advocacy support for cell site development efforts. Prior to that, he worked as counselor to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management and as Attorney-Advisor in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Office of the Solicitor. He has degrees in geology and studies in the environment from Yale University and earned his law degree and a Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University.
In addition, Farmington resident Brandon Powell will serve as the OCD Deputy Director responsible for the Engineering and Environmental Bureaus.