5-Inch Lizard Puts New Mexico and Texas Oil Drilling In Danger

Politicians in New Mexico and Texas are causing quite the stir at they consider putting the dunes sagebrush lizard on the endangered species list, a move that could hurt oil drilling in the region.

The lizard, known by it’s scientific name Sceloporous arenicolus only exists in the oil-rich dunes found in New Mexico and west Texas and if the species is put on the endangered list it could effectively halt drilling in one of North America’s most oil rich on-shore areas.

Ironically it is various oil producing company’s who are already paying to save the lizard while at the same time fighting the move to place the lizard on the endangered species list.

In a letter to regulators New Mexico’s governor revealed:

“The future of our state’s economy and livelihood of so many employers … are at stake.”

In the meantime conservationists point out that only 600,000 acres in question out of 11 million drilling acres would be at risk of losing drilling rights.