State of New Mexico Archives: on Energy & Oil
David Clements:
Lower energy costs by letting market decide what makes sense
Washington's bureaucratic regulations, bailouts, corporate subsidies and excessive taxation have made it virtually impossible for the market to produce new forms of cheap and clean energy. I will support a free market energy policy that will lower costs,
promote technological innovation, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources. Energy subsidies for oil, wind, electric or otherwise make little sense. Energy sources that truly meet the demands of consumers will thrive in the marketplace over time and
do not need government handouts to be viable. The Obama administration and Senator Tom Udall have a long record of sending government subsidies to failed programs like Solyndra and Abound Solar. The current approach leads to higher taxes, locks in old te
Source: 2014 N.M. Senate campaign website, ClementsForNM.com
Feb 18, 2014
Heather Wilson:
Stop pursuing green dreams on energy
The biggest topic was the economy and how to bring more jobs to the state. "Regulations that are coming out of Washington are making it tough for small businesses to grow," Wilson said."We've got to continue to fight for a White Sands and Holloman and
other federal installations here," Heinrich said. The main argument tonight included a specific type of job--ones in renewable energy.
"Congressman Heinrich has been off in Washington for 4 years pursuing a green dream on energy," Wilson said. Wilson
argues there are more jobs in coal and oil in New Mexico, but Heinrich says he's looking to the future.
"We have the second best solar exposure in the country," Heinrich said. "We have incredible wind on the east side of the state." It even became a
bit heated when Heinrich mentioned the environment played a role in the devastating fires in the Gilas as some audience members booed and others applauded. "A little thing called climate change that my opponent refuses to recognize," Heinrich said.
Source: KFOX-TV-14 coverage of 2012 N.M. Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012
Jay Block:
Opposed ban on fracking on Federal lands
Grisham turned her back on New Mexico's economy by not fighting to protect our oil and gas industry when
Biden banned future fracking on Federal lands and canceled the Keystone Pipeline.
Source: 2021 N.M. Governor campaign website BlockForNewMexico.com
Jun 10, 2021
Joe Carraro:
More funds for alternative fuel AND for traditional sources
Carraro supports the following principle regarding the environment and energy. - Utilize state funds to increase use of alternative fuel technology.
- Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and
oil).
- Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
- Apply proceeds from revenue bonds to fund energy efficiency measures in state facilities and public schools.
Source: 2004 N.M. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 7, 2004
Martin Heinrich:
Supports cap-and-trade; it causes no big energy costs
Wilson criticized Heinrich for voting for the 2009 cap-and-trade bill, which passed the House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate. Wilson said the bill would have amounted to significantly increased energy costs for New Mexicans.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the average cost per household at $1,600 a year. But that figure didn't include energy rebates that the Obama administration had proposed giving to consumers.
The proposal would have used revenue from cap-and-trade to pay an equal lump-sum rebate to every household, which the Budget Office said would have reduced the impact of the added costs.
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican FactCheck on 2012 N.M. Senate debate
Oct 11, 2012
Martin Heinrich:
Develop NM solar and wind, not coal and oil
The biggest topic was the economy and how to bring more jobs to the state. "Regulations that are coming out of Washington are making it tough for small businesses to grow," Wilson said."We've got to continue to fight for a White Sands and Holloman and
other federal installations here," Heinrich said. The main argument tonight included a specific type of job--ones in renewable energy.
"Congressman Heinrich has been off in Washington for 4 years pursuing a green dream on energy," Wilson said. Wilson
argues there are more jobs in coal and oil in New Mexico, but Heinrich says he's looking to the future.
"We have the second best solar exposure in the country," Heinrich said. "We have incredible wind on the east side of the state." It even became a
bit heated when Heinrich mentioned the environment played a role in the devastating fires in the Gilas as some audience members booed and others applauded. "A little thing called climate change that my opponent refuses to recognize," Heinrich said.
Source: KFOX-TV-14 coverage of 2012 N.M. Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012
Steve Pearce:
More domestic oil production & more nuclear power
Pearce supports more domestic oil production and developing more nuclear power facilities. However, he also said renewable energy should be part of a long-term energy plan.
Pearce said he advocates drilling off the Florida coast and in Alaska, specifically, and said that officials at Sandia National Laboratories have told him the country is at least 30 years away from relying on solar and wind power.
Udall said he helped pass legislation in the House for a renewable electricity standard on public utilities of 20 percent by 2020, but it failed in the Senate by one vote. "One vote can make a difference," he said.
Source: [Xref Udall] 2008 N.M. Senate debate
Aug 22, 2008
Steve Pearce:
Set aside 6.4M acres in New Mexico for solar panels
Udall talked of traveling with [returing incumbent Republican Sen. Pete] Domenici to talk about energy policy and military bases in New Mexico. "I know the people are mad. I know they're angry... and I intend to do something about it," Udall said.But
Pearce later brought up an example that he said showed Udall declining to work in a bipartisan manner. He said he sent a letter to Udall, who supports solar energy, asking him to sign on to a bill that would set aside 6.4 million acres of public land in
New Mexico for solar panels. Pearce said Udall refused to support it. "You couldn't find it in your heart to sign on to that," Pearce said.
Udall said he was not aware of the bill and criticized its timing. "Many bills he's introduced are only in the
Senate campaign, they don't have anything to do with what he legislated in the previous five years. To me that really isn't a bill to drop it in the middle of a Senate campaign. Show that your heart and soul is in it," he told his rival.
Source: 2008 N.M. Senate Debate reported in Silver City Sun-News
Oct 19, 2008
Tom Udall:
Supports renewable electricity standard for public utilities
Pearce supports more domestic oil production and developing more nuclear power facilities. However, he also said renewable energy should be part of a long-term energy plan.
Pearce said he advocates drilling off the Florida coast and in Alaska, specifically, and said that officials at Sandia National Laboratories have told him the country is at least 30 years away from relying on solar and wind power.
Udall said he helped pass legislation in the House for a renewable electricity standard on public utilities of 20 percent by 2020, but it failed in the Senate by one vote. "One vote can make a difference," he said.
Source: 2008 N.M. Senate debate report in N.M.Business-Weekly
Aug 22, 2008
Tom Udall:
Supports solar energy with heart & soul
Udall talked of traveling with [returing incumbent Republican Sen. Pete] Domenici to talk about energy policy and military bases in New Mexico. "I know the people are mad. I know they're angry... and I intend to do something about it," Udall said.But
Pearce later brought up an example that he said showed Udall declining to work in a bipartisan manner. He said he sent a letter to Udall, who supports solar energy, asking him to sign on to a bill that would set aside 6.4 million acres of public land in
New Mexico for solar panels. Pearce said Udall refused to support it. "You couldn't find it in your heart to sign on to that," Pearce said.
Udall said he was not aware of the bill and criticized its timing. "Many bills he's introduced are only in the
Senate campaign, they don't have anything to do with what he legislated in the previous five years. To me that really isn't a bill to drop it in the middle of a Senate campaign. Show that your heart and soul is in it," he told his rival.
Source: 2008 N.M. Senate Debate reported in Silver City Sun-News
Oct 19, 2008
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Codify our zero-emissions goal in state statute
We will take another step in our sustainability efforts by codifying our zero-emissions goal in state statute because there should be no question that New Mexico is committed to a cleaner, healthier future. We intend to design and implement a range of
projects and initiatives to achieve that objective. We will take on this challenge the same way we have approached others: with creativity, with tenacity, and with the bold and innovative spirit that has always driven us forward.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023