Most educated New Mexicans know that oil and gas production is largely based in the Northwest and Southeast corners of the state. That is reflected in the map below which was taken directly from Gov. Martinez’s recently-released energy plan. I thought the information was interesting enough to be posted online. Interestingly, Eddy and Lea County produce the most revenue from oil and gas, but traditionally-liberal Rio Arriba County trails San Juan County by just a little in terms of revenue.
Perhaps even more interesting is how the funds from the oil and gas industry are distributed around the State. As can be found in the chart below from the same publication, Bernalillo County receives the greatest total benefit from the oil and gas industry without producing a drop. All New Mexico counties share revenues generated by the Industry although it is certainly worth noting that producing counties see far less economic return from production than they receive.
Given the reality of the impact of oil and gas and how it benefits all New Mexicans, it will be interesting to see how Senators Heinrich and Udall vote on crude oil exports when the time comes. Exports would benefit the entire New Mexico economy as seen below. Rep. Lujan-Grisham voted to support the bill that recently passed the House.
Several years ago, I believe the Mora County Commission passed an anti fracking law for the entire county. That law was subsequently declared unconstitutional in a scathing U.S District Court for the District of New Mexico decision. After the passage of the law, but prior to the court decision, Bob Clark interviewed the chairman of the Mora County Commission and asked him how he could justify the ban on fracking while still accepting oil and gas royalty revenue from other parts of the state. The question was never answered.
How about this? We people in the northwest & southeast just keep the money for ourselves and tell Heinrich & Udall to pound salt. They’ve never really helped the Southeast, they tend to keep the northern part of the state flush with money.
On Heinrich’s Website
New Mexico, with its abundant wind and solar resources, can and should be America’s epicenter of the clean energy economy. As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, I will continue to work every day to ensure this becomes a reality.
As an engineer, I know that in order to reverse the devastating effects of climate change, our country must continue to invest in clean energy production, energy efficiency, and reduce carbon pollution. I support implementing energy efficiency initiatives to help our country do more with the power we have. New Mexico is well positioned to lead this effort.
Transitioning to clean energy sources and making America energy independent will not only create jobs, but help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our national security.
When I looked at his real bio, past the corny one on his Senate website, his greatest achievement was contributing to a solar go cart as a student Mechanical Engineer at U of Missouri. Beyond that he has had no practical engineering experience.
I think his voting in favor of allowing oil exports would hing on what renewable subsidies would be revived as this clown doesn’t understand anything about energy and is mostly beholden to the enviro groups. What a boy scout!
Udall would even be worse I think if not as bad.
Further proof, this is how Heinrich thinks:
During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing, U. S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) addressed the long-term drought challenges New Mexico faces, and called for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of water management across the state. He suggested that locally driven and science-based solutions are key to tackling the impacts of drought and ensuring our communities have access to clean water. The committee considered legislation Senator Heinrich is cosponsoring, the New Mexico Drought Preparedness Act of 2015, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
Senator Heinrich highlighted a successful collaborative effort by federal, state, and tribal governments, utility companies, water users, conservation groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to implement a recovery plan for four endangered fish in the San Juan and Upper Colorado Basins.
So like in California fish are more important then farmers or consumers. The people come second over the welfare of the indigenous wildlife.