This opinion article first ran in the Las Cruces Sun News on April 5th. 

New Mexico legislators can't have it both ways

By Missi Currier

With the 2025 New Mexico legislative session now behind us, it is crucial to address a growing concern that threatens the economic stability of our state. The recent push to impose higher taxes on the oil and gas industry while simultaneously relying on it to fund essential programs is a contradictory and unsustainable approach. Legislators must recognize that they cannot have it both ways.

The oil and gas industry has been the backbone of New Mexico's economy for decades, contributing nearly half of the state's budget. The industry funds critical programs such as bills like SB48 and SB49, which aim to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans through $360 million in investment throughout the state, funded by oil and gas revenues. However, introducing new taxes on this industry, as seen in the proposed Oil and Gas Equalization Tax, threatened to undermine its ability to continue providing this vital support.

Higher taxes on the oil and gas industry will inevitably lead to reduced investment, job losses, and stifled economic growth. This, in turn, will diminish the industry's capacity to generate the revenue needed to fund essential programs. It is a short-sighted strategy that jeopardizes the very programs legislators seek to support.

Instead of continually targeting the oil and gas industry for additional revenue, it is time for our legislators to focus and act on diversifying New Mexico's economy. The Economic Development Department's 2025 strategic plan outlines several promising sectors that can drive future growth, including renewable energy, technology, and tourism. By investing in these sectors, we can create a more resilient and diversified economy that is less dependent on a single industry.

Diversification is not just a buzzword; it is a necessity for the long-term prosperity of our state. By fostering growth in new industries, we can create more high-quality jobs, attract new businesses, and ensure an increased revenue stream for essential programs. This approach will not only benefit our economy but also provide a more sustainable future for all New Mexicans. Our state can and should have a multitude of successful industries outside of oil and gas and mining, agriculture, and tourism.

Let me be clear –the oil and gas industry is not holding New Mexico back. New Mexico’s business climate is what continues to hurt our state’s potential to grow.

New Mexico legislators must recognize the importance of the oil and gas industry and the critical role it plays in funding our state's budget. Imposing higher taxes on this industry while expecting it to continue supporting essential programs is a flawed strategy. Instead, we must prioritize economic diversification and a good start would be to invest in the sectors outlined in the Economic Development Department's 2025 strategic plan. By doing so, we can build a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits all New Mexicans.

The 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session concluded on March 22nd, and we at NMOGA are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our member companies and individual advocates. Your voices were instrumental in opposing harmful legislation and ensuring the success of our efforts. We couldn't have achieved this without you.

Across New Mexico, the oil and gas industry stands as a steadfast champion of education. This month, we are proud to feature Katie Jo Castaneda, a dedicated math teacher from Carlsbad. Katie Jo has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of the oil and gas industry on her students, inspiring them to dream big and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed.

We are also excited to highlight the incredible work of our Energizing Our Future (EOF) foundation. Recently, EOF connected with Storehouse New Mexico, one of our 2024 grant recipients, and engaged with communities throughout the Permian Basin. These interactions have underscored the profound and positive influence the oil and gas industry has on the lives of New Mexicans. We look forward to sharing these inspiring stories with you.

Lastly, we want to express our immense pride in the women who contribute to the oil and gas industry. Their dedication and hard work are vital to the success and sustainability of New Mexico's energy sector. We are grateful for their commitment and the invaluable role they play in powering our state.

March is Women's History Month, and NMOGA is incredibly proud to work with all the women throughout the industry who make a difference day in and day out. Women are a huge part of the oil and gas industry and we're grateful and proud of their essential contributions.

The oil and gas industry has been the target of harsh legislation all session, and the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session is no different. Despite the critical revenue and long-term investment generated by the oil and gas industry, politicians in Santa Fe are pushing legislation that will target the industry and stall economic diversification. 

As we head into the final 10 days of the 2025 New Mexico legislative session, NMOGA is continuing to protect New Mexico's future by fighting bad bills targeting the oil and gas industry. Some of these bills would increase taxes on energy production in our state, putting jobs and economic growth in our communities at risk. 

We greatly appreciate everyone who has already taken action by emailing and calling their state legislators to support the oil and gas industry. Your voice makes a difference in Santa Fe!

This month, we're highlighting the far-reaching work NMOGA's membership does for communities across New Mexico. From education and civics to health and nature, the oil and gas industry is energizing New Mexico!

Thank you to the over 100,000 New Mexicans who power the oil and gas industry in New Mexico! Your work helps keep energy costs low and is the backbone of our state economy.  

The oil and gas industry is proud to partner with our communities all across the state. In fiscal year 2024, oil and gas tax of more than $279 million went directly to New Mexico public school. We've talked with teachers about how the oil and gas industry is making an impact in the classroom, in addition to the tax revenue dollars. 

Dear Editor,

We are mothers and grandmothers who live, work, and raise our families in the Permian Basin. We choose to live here and are proud to do so. As mothers, our goal is to watch our children grow, thrive, and excel in the path that is right for them. Our greatest joys and challenges are raising our children, and we do not take lightly to be accused of putting them in a position of harm.

Despite the $13 billion generated yearly in state revenue by the oil and gas industry, politicians in Santa Fe continue to push legislation that would target the industry. This bill will make New Mexico even more reliant on oil and gas revenue and risk sending oil and gas jobs to Texas and Oklahoma. 

To support the oil and gas industry and keep jobs and investment in New Mexico, contact your state legislators here.

The 2025 New Mexico legislative session is flying by and the 60 day session is already half-way done. During these first four weeks, over 25 bills were filed that would have a direct and lasting impact on New Mexico's oil and gas industry. Despite the industry's strong commitment to environmental stewardship and unparalleled positive economic impact, many of these partisan bills would crush the oil and gas industry, jeopardizing jobs, state revenue, and economic diversification. 

To keep utility costs low and stop needless overregulation, contact your state legislators here.

The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association proudly supports HB 403 to refund New Mexico's reclamation fund. This fund was introduced in the 1970s, and ever since then, the oil and gas industry has paid a conservation tax on every barrel of oil drilled to fund efforts to plug and remediate abandoned wells. During lean years, the New Mexico House has redirected funds from the reclamation fund to other parts of the state budget, and HB 403 will ensure these funds are returned for their intended purpose. 

The New Mexico legislative session began on January 21st, and the oil and gas industry quickly became the target of harsh legislation that would send economic shockwaves throughout the state, devastating our economy and cutting funding to programs New Mexicans rely on. 

Thank you to everyone who has already taken action in support of New Mexico's oil and gas industry this year! Please continue to support our efforts by contacting politicians in Santa Fe and encouraging others in your community to join us.

NMOGA is also proud to highlight the strong partnership between education and the oil and gas industry in New Mexico. This month we're highlighting Hannah Vanscotter from our Energy Pathways video series and NMOGA's sponsorship of the New Mexico Governor's STEM Challenge and New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom. 

Thank you for all you do to support New Mexico energy!

During the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, legislators continue to propose bills that will not only affect the oil and gas industry but devastate New Mexico's economy. NMOGA is working to stop legislation that would increase energy costs for New Mexicans and cut state and local funding generated by the oil and gas industry. 

The 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session heated up this week with a host of bills geared towards compromising the oil and gas industry's positive impact on New Mexico advancing in The Roundhouse. Look to NMOGA for calls to action to contact your representative on opposing bills that take revenue from New Mexico’s state budget.

This opinion article first ran in the Artesia Daily Press on January 22nd. 

Permian Basin Methane Emissions Decline: A Win for the Environment and Industry

By Missi Currier

The recent analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights has revealed a significant milestone in the fight against climate change: a 26% reduction in methane emissions from oil and gas production operations in the Permian Basin in 2023. This achievement is not just a win for the environment but also a testament to the industry’s ability to innovate, adapt, and companies’ commitment to stewardship.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has long been a target for emission reduction efforts. The S&P analysis shows that the decline in methane emissions from the Permian Basin is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions avoided by every electric vehicle (EV) on the road in the United States. This comparison underscores the magnitude of the achievement and highlights the critical role that the oil and gas industry is playing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

DarkSky International has recognized three Franklin Mountain Energy locations in the Permian Basin area of Lea County, New Mexico as DarkSky Certified to protect and maintain the nighttime environment. These are the first oil and gas sites in the world to receive this distinction. This certification not only acknowledges FME’s commitment to responsible lighting practices but serves as a pathway for international recognition within the energy sector. FME, DarkSky International, and the Dark for the Park Alliance worked collaboratively on the effort. 

FME’s multi-step efforts to achieve the DarkSky Certification maintains safety and security of these 24-hour operated locations while increasing the visibility of the starry skies by adopting responsible lighting principles. FME now has two DarkSky retrofit sites, and one site certified as a DarkSky new build. The retrofits resulted in a 60% reduction in lighting energy consumption while still meeting or exceeding safety standards for lighting and an estimated 99% reduction in skyglow, or light scattering in the night sky, as viewed from a distant location such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

“Safety for our workers is always our first priority,” FME Co-Founder Audrey Robertson said. “We also prioritize the environment and support night-sky friendly lighting practices. I am proud of our team for working on this project with DarkSky International and the Alliance to ensure the continued beauty found throughout the Permian Basin’s skies.”

The Dark for the Park Alliance is a collaborative effort between Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Heritage Park, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Land Office, McDonald Observatory, Apache Point Observatory, DarkSky International, and DarkSky New Mexico. The Alliance is focused on the Permian and San Juan Basins in New Mexico to promote education and recognition to maintain or restore the night sky quality through the adoption of recommended outdoor lighting practices that direct light downward onto the work surface and limit light upward into the sky.

The Alliance has published a lighting guidance document to provide oil and gas companies and other industries a roadmap to maintain or increase night sky quality while maintaining the safety and security of operations. The guide includes suggestions on planning, shielding, intensity, and color. Each working location has its own requirements, but the practices are scalable, cost-efficient options for new builds and retrofits.  

The protection of night skies is a priority for many industries and individuals throughout the Permian and San Juan Basins. The Alliance was first created after the Carlsbad Caverns approached the oil and gas industry with the idea of collaboration for dark skies efforts to highlight the significance of this work for the economy, heritage to the lands, and future stewardship of them.

“Promoting dark skies practices is a collaborative effort,” DarkSky International CEO Ruskin Hartley said. “The Alliance’s public-private partnership shows the importance of teamwork to achieve the workable balance between operational safety and security and protecting night sky quality.” 

The Alliance is working throughout the Permian and San Juan Basins to suggest practices that accommodate the needs of both regions. 

“The work of FME in collaboration with the Alliance is creating a win-win solution.” Robertson said. “Working together with federal and state agencies, industry, and organizations committed to the promotion of responsible lighting practices protects and promotes the sanctity of our star-filled skies.” 

To learn more about the lighting guide and certifications, please visit: 

https://www.nmoga.org/darksky_lighting_guide

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/index.htm 

https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/ 

https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/pages/lighting-recognition-program

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Happy New Year!

On behalf of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association members, I hope you had a restful holiday season and are ready to tackle the new year.

With the new year, we have the 2025 Legislative Session which will begin on January 21st at noon. There are several key issues and initiatives that will be at the forefront of our discussions, including the importance of water reuse and recycling to maintain our fresh water supply, local control options for our communities, and refunding the crucial Reclamation Fund to ensure the highest levels of environmental care. 

Oil and gas still funds just over 50% of our state's budget. However, the industry is so much more than that. It creates over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for New Mexicans, provides funding for our schools and infrastructure projects, and utilizes the best-available and ever-evolving technologies to produce reliable, affordable and sustainable energy options. 

In a 60-day session, the Legislature can consider any piece of legislation related to any topic, and NMOGA will be closely monitoring all of the bills related to industry and business in New Mexico. 

We will need your help throughout the session to speak up and support our industry through public comments and letters. Thank you for all you do to support New Mexico energy! 

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward in this legislative session. Your engagement and support are crucial as we strive to create a sustainable and prosperous future for New Mexico.