MAY 18, 2025
EOPA New Mexico Leadership council members who are state lawmakers spoke on a policy webinar focused on the progress made in New Mexico at the state level. They also addressed how environmental groups have been helping, and what challenges are ahead.
The leadership council made sure the statewide Community Benefit Fund was established as law. It has two branches of funding. The first invests in workforce development, renewable energy, and infrastructure. The second, the NTEC Community Benefit Fund supports community quality-of-life projects with an annual micro-grant program for the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities. The funds come mainly from oil and gas royalties.
Participants agreed it is going to take some time to end drilling int the second largest oil producing state. However, our lawmakers spearheaded an increase in the oil and gas royalty rates 5% on prime tracts of state lands in the Permian Basin
Speakers included:
- NM Sen. Mimi Stewart, President Pro Tem
- NM Rep. Andrea Romero,
- Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, environmental policy advocate
- NM Rep. Debbie Sariñana
