Jobs. We all talk about them and New Mexico needs them.
New Mexico needs jobs, especially high-paying jobs.
These jobs keep our sons and daughters here, and they stimulate our
economy. But again the state of New Mexico is losing a chance at
high-paying jobs.
The recently released Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the tri-county area that
covers Dona Ana, Otero and Sierra counties defers action on fluid
mineral leasing and development in the three counties. This effectively
stops oil and gas drilling there for the foreseeable future. The BLM
states that the primary reason for this action is concern over Otero
Mesa. Yet the DEIS spreads that concern to all BLM managed lands in the
three counties. That doesn't make sense.
Oil and gas revenues alone fund over a third of our
state budget. Potash, copper and uranium mining also provide millions of
dollars to our state and thousands of jobs to New Mexico citizens. The
services New Mexicans need cannot be funded without utilizing revenues
from these mineral resources, unless, as some suggest, we either raid
the permanent fund or we raise taxes. Neither of these options is
appealing or necessary.
Now though, just when we have a chance to improve our
revenues and create jobs, our state is thumped again. This decision by
the BLM potentially costs New Mexico millions of dollars and Otero, Dona Ana, and Sierra counties lose out on jobs and opportunities.
Otero Mesa itself can be responsibly developed. Its
environment and the underlying water can be protected. Oil and gas
development can be successfully integrated with existing ranching
operations. Oil and gas companies can again prove that they are able to
work in demanding environments and effectively minimize the results of
their presence.
Current plans for the Bennett Ranch area on Otero Mesa
call for wells to be drilled on 640 acre spacing. There will be a road
to the well site, a pipeline leaving the site and the christmas tree
that controls the wellhead pressure. Modern drilling operations and
casing programs are designed to protect water sources and to leave a
small footprint. Operators no longer use 1940's technology or equipment.
They can develop these valuable resources without harming the
environment.
Ron Griggs, a Republican, represents District 34 (Otero, Dona Ana and Eddy counties) in the New Mexico Senate.
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