As a registered democrat whose livelihood depends entirely on the development of natural resources, I consider myself unique. I appreciate President Biden’s commitment to combating climate change because we need leadership from Washington, DC on this. But states that are committed to environmental protection also deserve recognition for this.
I am the third generation owner and operator of our family business. We dig and plumb holes for natural resources and are a family business that advocates a fair daily wage for a fair working day.
My 78 year old father Jerry is busy with the business every day. We are not committed to personal wealth, but to our employees and their families. We are certainly not “Big Oil”; Instead, we work hard and are heavily invested in the success of our community.
Rather than unifying the country, oil and gas licensing and leasing restrictions have instilled uncertainty and fear in an industry vital to the US economy. Recently, our customers in northwest New Mexico have been wondering whether their capital investments will even be allowed to continue in 2021. The consequences are dire when you consider that our community is already holding onto by a thread.
Our small business is already experiencing the consequences of the president’s leasing freeze and permit restrictions. Due to the licensing restrictions, one of the drilling rigs we have already started has to be shut down. This facility would directly employ 25 people and provide at least 100 other related jobs. And in a small community like mine, 125 jobs are a big deal.
Non-political experts in the BLM field offices should make approval decisions and rental sales should occur in regular order. We need to ensure that an effective and predictable way of obtaining permits and permits is put in place immediately. Put simply, uncertainty is the fastest way to end a drilling project and jobs that come with it.
Recently, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) joined the chorus of other state governors and announced that New Mexico will be “disproportionately affected” by President Biden’s lease freeze as “producers like their operations in states Texas, with more private land for development. ”
It is a collaboration focused on environmental protection and economic growth that is needed, our governor concludes when she calls for “appreciation” for New Mexico’s actions on climate change.
It couldn’t be more correct, and it is a position consistent with the view of the Western Governors’ Association, that federal agencies work with states in “early, meaningful, substantive, and ongoing consultations in developing federal policies that affect states.” should.
Unfortunately, we are seeing less cooperation and more partisan action from Washington. We hear phrases like energy diversification – which, as we all know, is a code word for “staying in the ground”. Grounders refuse to admit the general need for collaboration and consultation as we move towards “diversification”.
Instead, we should remember another word – springboard. In other words, how can we use natural resources as a stepping stone for a new economy? This will certainly not be achieved by ringing the death knell prematurely for the development of fossil fuels.
Alternatively, as we develop our natural resources in the US, we should introduce more environmental standards – even develop an industry standard cleaning certification for product development. This measure alone will help to further open up the world market and displace Asian coal for power generation.
Stopping unnecessary leasing and allowing blockages, creating security, promoting cooperation and improving intergovernmental cooperation will lead to a consistent energy industry in the USA, which is based on an “and” instead of a “when selecting energy resources for the future.” or “based.
Jason Sandel is executive vice president of Aztec Well Servicing, a multigenerational family company based near Farmington, New Mexico.
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