School is back in session, and we've been focusing on all the ways the oil and gas industry powers education in New Mexico. In 2024, the oil and gas industry provided $2.3 billion through tax revenue to support New Mexico public schools and championed many educational initiatives throughout the state. Additionally, oil and gas products are used in many essential school supplies and for transportation and power.
If you haven't already, we encourage everyone to enter your student in the Ultimate Backpack Giveaway before the September 19th deadline! More information below.
This month, we are excited to highlight the important work NMOGA's non-profit, Energizing Our Future (EOF) foundation, and our member companies are doing in New Mexico. This month, we highlight work with Central New Mexico Community College, Teach Plus New Mexico, Girls Inc. of Santa Fe, Roswell Desk and Derrick Club, and Albuquerque Public Schools.
Ultimate Backpack Giveaway
The deadline to enter NMOGA's Ultimate Backpack Giveaway is quickly approaching! Go to www.nmoga.org/backpack2025 to enter your student for a chance to win the Ultimate Backpack Giveaway!
We're giving five hard-working students an incredible back-to-school prize pack that includes:
📱 An iPad
⌨️ A keyboard
✏️ Full school supplies
🍕 A pizza party for their classroom!
The deadline to enter is Friday, September 19, 2025.
Giving Back
NMOGA Attends Grand Opening of Central New Mexico Community College's Ted Chavez Trades and Technologies Center
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is the state’s largest community college and the largest undergraduate-serving institution in New Mexico, with over 33,000 students enrolled annually.
The new Ted Chavez Trades and Technologies Center will house some of the most advanced programs in the region, including what is expected to be the most advanced welding program in the Southwest. The facility underscores CNM’s historic and ongoing commitment to equipping students with critical skills in trades and technologies, from construction to energy-related fields
NMOGA is proud to support career and technical education (CTE) and is excited to see the impact this new center will have on New Mexico students and local economies across the state.
Teach Plus, NMOGA, and Coterra Energy Are Supporting Economic Mobility for Students
Teach Plus New Mexico recently hosted the Economic Mobility Summit, bringing together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how collaboration can create new opportunities for students. NMOGA was proud to co-sponsor this important gathering, alongside CTECH of Hobbs and other partners.
At the Summit, Teach Plus Executive Director Hope Morales unveiled a new vision to ensure every student leaves high school ready to thrive — powered by strong teachers, excellent schools, and meaningful collaboration with industries like ours.
Serving Up Community Impact at the Governor's Mansion
NMOGA was recently honored at the Governor’s Mansion for helping bring new life to its tennis courts. The celebration, hosted by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, marked the courts’ official reopening with a lively ribbon cutting and an exhibition match featuring the University of New Mexico’s top players.
The day’s biggest smiles came from scholarship recipients, youth from under-resourced communities, who are now learning to play tennis thanks to funds from this project. They joined guests and community members courtside, reminding us that this effort is about more than sport; it is about opportunity.
Thank you to the NMOGA member companies whose generosity made this possible!
NMOGA Joined Girls Inc. of Santa Fe in Celebrating the Publication of the Inspirations 2025 Book
Girls Inc. of Santa Fe's annual tribute book, Inspirations 2025: Celebrating Strong, Smart, and Bold New Mexican Women and Girls, honors women and girls who are making a difference as leaders, role models, and changemakers in their communities, families, and workplaces. The initiative shines a light on the diverse impact of women across New Mexico and helps raise awareness and funding for Girls Inc.’s mission to empower the next generation.
NMOGA was proud to both volunteer and attend the event, where women from across the state, including community leaders and legislators, were recognized for their contributions.
NMOGA Presents to the Roswell Desk & Derrick Club
NMOGA gave an update on the outlook for the oil and gas industry in 2025 to the Roswell Desk & Derrick Club, an organization bringing together women working in oil and gas to expand knowledge of the industry. With support from NMOGA’s Charles Loveless, the Roswell chapter was established in 1953 with 43 women coming together to form the Roswell Desk & Derrick Club.
More than 70 years later, the Roswell Desk & Derrick Club continues its mission of education and industry engagement, and NMOGA was proud to share key updates shaping the year ahead.
From the Field to the Stands: NMOGA Celebrates Soccer Clinic Finale with APS and McKinney-Vento Families
NMOGA was proud to partner with Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), and the McKinney-Vento Program, which supports students and families experiencing homelessness, to celebrate the conclusion of our youth soccer clinic. Together, we brought 40 children and their families to the New Mexico United home game, creating an unforgettable evening of community, connection, and fun.
Before the match, APS hosted a family barbecue at one of their facilities within walking distance of the stadium, giving students, families, and staff a chance to gather, share a meal, and strengthen the bonds built throughout the clinic. A special thank you goes to Chicano Dog for generously sponsoring the hot dogs that helped make the barbecue a warm and welcoming experience for all.
The night’s highlight came when the kids not only got to cheer on United from the stands, but also had the chance to meet players and collect autographs—a moment that left lasting excitement and pride among the students and their families.
Partnering with community leaders and organizations remains a cornerstone of NMOGA’s engagement work. We are grateful for the chance to support families in New Mexico and to wrap up the clinic with such a joyful and inspiring celebration.
👉 We encourage our readers to join us in thanking Chicano Dog for their support by visiting their page: Chicano Dog on Facebook.
Opinion - Santa Fe New Mexican
Oil Supports Students from Backpack to Bus Ride
By Missi Currier
Santa Fe New Mexican, September 1, 2025
Welcome back to school, New Mexico! With families getting back to their school routines, the usual checklist comes out: notebooks, pencils, backpacks, lunchboxes. As we stock up on school supplies, it’s easy to overlook the science and energy behind the scenes. From powering classrooms to producing the materials we rely on, oil and gas quietly support nearly every aspect of our educational system—making schools more accessible, comfortable, and functional for students and teachers alike.
That backpack your child slings over his or her shoulder? It’s likely made from nylon or polyester—petroleum-based fabrics. The pens and markers they use? Plastics and inks derived from petrochemicals. Even the glossy covers of notebooks, the adhesives in binders, and the synthetic soles of gym shoes trace back to hydrocarbons.
Without oil and gas, these everyday items would be harder to produce, more expensive, and often less durable. Alternatives exist, but they’re not yet scalable or affordable for the millions of students who rely on them.
Walk into any classroom and you’ll see petroleum’s fingerprints everywhere. Desks, chairs, whiteboards, flooring, lighting, HVAC systems—all rely on materials or energy sourced from oil and gas. These aren’t luxury items; they’re the infrastructure of learning. They create safe, comfortable environments where students can focus, collaborate, and grow.
The school day begins and ends with transportation. Most school buses still run on diesel. Many teachers and parents commute in gas-powered vehicles. Delivery trucks bring food, books, and supplies. While electric options are emerging, petroleum fuels remain essential for ensuring students can physically get to school—especially in areas where distances are long and infrastructure is limited.
The pandemic accelerated our reliance on digital tools. Tablets, laptops, smartboards, and routers all contain petroleum-based components. Even the data centers that store educational content often run on electricity generated from natural gas. The very tools that enable remote learning and digital equity are built on the backbone of traditional energy.
Schools are among the largest energy consumers in many communities. Oil and gas heat buildings, power emergency systems, and keep water hot for cafeterias and science labs. Vocational programs—from welding to automotive tech—use petroleum products directly in their curriculum. These aren’t just tools; they’re teaching aids.
Beyond materials and energy, the oil and gas industry contributes financially to education. In New Mexico and other energy-rich states, taxes and royalties from oil and gas fund public schools, universities, and community programs. In the last year alone, the New Mexico oil and gas industry generated over $2.3 billion for our schools. These dollars help build the very workforce we all rely on for generations to come—engineers, geologists, safety experts, environmental scientists, and even our future teachers.
Back-to-school season is more than a shopping spree—it’s a reminder of the complex systems that support learning. Oil and gas byproducts are in almost every backpack zipper, bus ride, and warm classroom on a cold morning.
The oil and gas industry is proud to produce the resources that help generations of students learn, grow, and succeed. Because when it comes to education, energy isn’t just part of the story—it’s foundational.
We wish all New Mexico students and teachers a fun, productive year full of growth!
New Mexico Society of Association Executives
Congratulations to Marcellus Davis and NMOGA for their awards at the New Mexico Society of Association Executives Awards Ceremony! The NMSAE awards recognize the achievements of New Mexico’s associations, highlighting the vital role associations play in advancing industries, enriching communities, and delivering impactful solutions across the state.
Marcellus received the Rising Star Award, which showcases an emerging association leader who makes significant contributions to their association, demonstrates a passion for professional development, and provides outstanding service to their membership. The NMOGA communications team was honored with the Innovation Award for our community engagement and communications efforts during the Legislative Session.
Social Media
Register to Vote
Voting in primary and general elections is a right and responsibility. New Mexico now allows independent voters to participate in primary elections without changing their voter registration to a major party, giving New Mexicans another opportunity to participate in the democratic process and make their voice heard.
CLICK HERE to check your voter registration today!
