State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard recently signed a moratorium prohibiting oil and gas drilling within 1 mile of schools, other educational facilities and daycare facilities. The moratorium prevents new leases from being issued for drilling operations in areas that could affect schools and children.

“It’s my deep honor and privilege to be able to make this commitment to the students of New Mexico, that their health and their access to clean air and water is a right that we should be protecting with our policies,” Garcia Richard said in announcing the moratorium.

The moratorium comes after the commissioner received letters from community members in the Four Corners and the southeastern part of the state voicing concerns about pollution near their childrens’ schools. Garcia Richard also heard from environmental advocacy groups including the Center for Biological Diversity and Citizens Caring for the Future reporting concern.

Jim Winchester, executive director of Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, said there are questions about the scientific validity of some of the arguments in Garcia Richard’s decision.

“IPANM agrees that safe and reasonable setbacks are necessary between certain production sites and schools, however, we have concerns that the distance to be enforced under the State Land Office’s assumed discretionary authority is arbitrary and isn’t based on any definitive evidence of health impacts,” Winchester said in a statement he provided to the New Mexico Sun. 

“While it would have been appropriate for the state land commissioner to consult with industry before issuing this order carte blanche, we will work with her office on a case-by-case basis if there are particular tracts of land that might otherwise be safely and responsibly developed to provide critical revenues to improve New Mexico’s schools,” he added.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) has been the leading representative of independent oil and natural gas producers for more than 90 years. IPAA organizes different business development and networking opportunities throughout the year for its members and maintains a highly active Educational Foundation. 

Since 2006, the IPAA Energy Workforce Education Center has played a vital role in inspiring students through enhanced STEM curriculum and preparing them for successful careers in the industry.

The Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico works to promote and safeguard the interests of independent oil and gas producers, simultaneously raising awareness among the public about the vital significance of oil and gas in the state and the daily lives of New Mexico residents. 

Building upon this longstanding tradition, IPANM says it remains committed to expansion and the provision of essential services that ensure the protection, advocacy and advancement of this vital industry.

Winchester said the association will continue to serve as an advocate for the oil and gas industry.

“IPANM continues to work with the state land commissioner and her staff on various issues,” Winchester told the New Mexico Sun. “As proposals are brought forward, it’s our hope that industry will be consulted to better explain the impact of any future actions.”

New Mexico is the second-largest oil producing state in the nation. The state’s oil and gas industry generated more than $63.3 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2022, an increase of 132% from 2021, which generated a record $10.8 billion in state and local revenue this past year, including $5.8 billion to the state’s general fund and $5 billion to other state and local tax revenues, reserve fund and permanent fund, as reported by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA).

NMOGA also reports the industry has a major impact on jobs as well, with more than 134,000 people statewide working in businesses linked to oil and gas. But a decision announced by a state official could have a negative impact on oil and gas production.

New Mexico Education budgets largely depend on oil and gas. NMOGA reports. In 2020, New Mexico’s oil and gas industry gave $1.4 billion to New Mexico Education. Schools in different counties statewide are highly dependent on the revenue generated from the industry to fund everything from teacher positions to interactive learning projects as well as other resources such as the addition of new technology and custodial hours when needed.