FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2019

Success of Oil and Natural Gas Industry Critical to Plan to Provide Free College Tuition

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – Today, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a plan to make college tuition-free for all New Mexico students, providing 100% of undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible in-state students. The New York Times reported that the state “plans to use climbing revenues from oil production to pay for much of the costs” and the program would benefit 55,000 students across New Mexico’s 29 two- and four-year institutions of higher learning. New Mexico Oil and Gas Association Executive Director Ryan Flynn offered the following statement after the announcement: 

“Big, bold ideas like this are the type of transformational opportunities New Mexico now has because of the success and growth of the oil and natural gas industry. This is a great example of how the Governor can leverage increased oil and natural gas production to the benefit of all New Mexicans regardless of where they live, work, or go to school. Our state has enjoyed two consecutive billion-dollar budget surpluses on the strength of oil and natural gas, and we’re committed to continuing our role as the economic foundation of New Mexico while safely and responsibly producing the energy we need.”

Earlier this month, NMOGA released a report by the global consulting firm ICF that said New Mexico’s oil and natural gas industry is poised to attract as much as $174 billion in new infrastructure investments through 2030. These investments could grow the combined value of oil and natural gas production 323%, while industry contributions to state and local governments could be as high as $8.0 billion annually by 2030.

About NMOGA: https://www.nmoga.org/about.

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