OPINION: New Mexico energy dominance creates opportunity

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? It means fast, fair permitting that doesn’t drag on for years. It means building pipelines and processing plants that cut waste, capture natural gas and get products safely to market. It means competitive taxes that keep us attractive to investors. It also means setting real environmental standards — without endless delays or unneeded restrictions that kill jobs and erode public trust. And yes, it means giving nuclear power the serious role it deserves in our energy future.

Energy dominance is broader than oil and gas. It includes mining potash, copper and uranium — resources essential for nuclear power, defense and advanced manufacturing. With strong safeguards, New Mexico can buttress supply chains, strengthen national security and keep value-added jobs here at home instead of overseas.

Oil and gas are not relics of a bygone era. They remain the foundation of today’s economy and the driver of future growth — powering aviation, shipping, manufacturing and supplying the critical materials used to build hospitals, homes and vehicles. At the same time, the rapid expansion of data centers offers New Mexico a strategic opportunity to leverage its energy resources to stabilize the grid and attract new investment. Policymakers should welcome innovation in every direction: advancing nuclear power, improving drilling technologies, modernizing the grid and boosting efficiency.

Critics dismiss fossil fuels as “dirty,” but New Mexico proves otherwise. Our producers are leaders in recycling water, cutting methane emissions and modernizing equipment. Energy dominance doesn’t mean ignoring environmental responsibility; it means proving that reliable energy and responsible stewardship can go hand in hand.

The truth is simple: New Mexico has everything it needs to lead America’s energy future. If we unleash New Mexico’s full potential, our state can become a model for the nation: powering the economy, funding schools and securing America’s energy independence. Energy dominance isn’t just about barrels of oil or cubic feet of gas. It’s about families, freedom and the Land of Enchantment we call home.