Udall, Heinrich and Pearce approve of potential natural gas deal with Japan, environmental group ‘disappointed’

At least three members of New Mexico’s Capitol Hill delegation are in favor of potential natural gas expansion to Japan — including Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, who have enjoyed support from environmental organizations that oppose increased production. “The export of U.S. natural gas to allies such as Japan would economically benefit states like New Mexico because we’re rich in the resource,” Sen. Udall said in an e-mail to New Mexico Watchdog, adding that “strong state and federal standards” would be needed. “I’ll continue to support creating new opportunities to sell natural gas into global markets and access overseas customers, which could help smooth out historical boom-bust cycles,” Sen. Heinrich said in an e-mail. “Realizing stable natural gas prices will help create jobs in New Mexico.” Earlier this week, Watchdog reported on preliminary talks aimed at dramatically increasing production in the natural gas-rich San Juan Basin in the northwest corner of New Mexico by sending it through pipelines, liquefying the gas and shipping it by tankers to Japan. Japan — home to the third-largest economy in the world — has virtually shut down its nuclear program after the 2011 disaster at Fukushima and, as a result, is looking to satisfy its demand for energy through natural gas, which is four times less expensive in the United States than in Japan. Joining Udall and Heinrich in support is the New Mexico delegation’s lone Republican, Rep. Steve Pearce.  When asked in the e-mail about fracking concerns from environmentalists, Heinrich wrote, “In New Mexico, we’ve seen that fracking can be done safely and responsibly. Fracking can open reserves of oil and natural gas, but regulations need to be in place to ensure there is proper oversight and that our water is protected.” Bravo said her organization is “very disappointed” with Udall and Heinrich’s support of a possible LNG deal with Japan. “They are our environmental champions … They don’t have all the facts … They don’t know the longer and long-term ramifications.”...more