New Mexico Energy Dominance Creates Opportunity

Originally published by the Albuquerque Journal

Every August, teachers across New Mexico welcome students into classrooms stocked with new books, technology and supplies. Many of those resources come from an unlikely place: the oil rigs dotting our horizon. In a state that produces 15% of America’s oil, energy is more than a commodity — it’s opportunity. It can mean the difference between a school that hires a reading specialist and one that struggles without one.

New Mexico is an energy powerhouse. We are second only to Texas in oil production and rank among the nation’s leaders in natural gas. Billions of dollars in lease bonuses, royalties and taxes flow directly into classrooms and communities. When policymakers support investment, schools, counties and families rise with it.

But there’s another side to this story. New Mexico consistently ranks near the bottom in economic freedom. Heavy taxes, burdensome licensing and layers of red tape hold us back. These obstacles discourage investment, slow job growth and drive families out of state. The path forward is clear: Embrace an energy dominance agenda that lets New Mexico’s resources compete on cost, reliability and accountability.

What does that mean in practice?

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