SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 3

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Gregory A. Baca and James G. Townsend

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO WAIVE THE SUSPENSION OF NEW OIL AND GAS LEASING AND DRILLING PERMITS FOR FEDERAL LANDS.

     WHEREAS, on January 20, 2021, the administration of President Joe Biden temporarily suspended oil and gas permitting on federal lands and waters for sixty days; and

     WHEREAS, oil and gas extracted from public lands account for about one-fourth of annual United States production; and

     WHEREAS, limits on federal drilling will have the biggest impact on major western oil- and gas-producing states like New Mexico and Wyoming, which depend on revenue from their share of extraction royalties; and

     WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry in New Mexico provides over forty percent of the revenues in the state's budget; and

     WHEREAS, currently, New Mexico ranks third in the nation in oil production and ninth in the nation in natural gas production; and

     WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry in New Mexico provides tens of thousands of high-paying jobs to New Mexico residents; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico oil and gas association stated that restricting development "risks the loss of more than sixty thousand jobs and eight hundred million dollars ($800,000,000) in support for our public schools, first responders and healthcare services";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that a waiver be requested of President Joe Biden's administration to the recent sixty-day suspension of new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits for federal lands in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to President Joe Biden, United States secretary of the interior designee Deb Haaland and members of the United States house of representatives and senate.

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