New Mexico
Oil and gas funds New Mexico
As New Mexico’s legislators prepare for the 2024 session, any number of data points continue to show just how significant an impact the oil and gas industry has in the state.
New Mexico is headed for a $3.5 billion general fund surplus for the year running through June 2025. Oil and gas production in Southeast New Mexico has allowed the annual state government income to grow by nearly 50 percent over the past three years. The oil and gas industry provides about a third of the state revenue in New Mexico.
The oil and gas industry is paying the bills at a federal level as well. Recent data from the Department of Interior shows that New Mexico earned $2.93 billion in federal revenue from energy production, thanks to all of the production on BLM Land. The next highest state is Wyoming at $832 million.
One way to measure success is through production. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, crude oil production in the Permian Basin was 4.9 million barrels of oil per day. Production is now closing in on 6 million barrels of oil per day.
The industry is also here to stay. Thanks to horizontal drilling and fracking, all production models predict many decades of oil remaining. New Mexico’s current rig count is at 102, putting it at second only to Texas.
As indicated in a recent article, Eddy and Lea County are driving the state’s economy. A recent Arrowhead study concludes that Eddy Country contributes $239,000 per person, with a $32,000 expenditure per person. In October, Eddy County collected $6.7 million from oil and gas activities, from business that was conducted in July.
There have also been a lot of transactions in the industry lately. The value of U.S. oil and gas mergers and acquisitions in the Permian basin this year has reached a record of more than $100 billion, according to one recent study. Another recent article points out that Exxon and Chevron have both been expanding heavily in our area. Both companies, it should be mentioned, are also implementing extremely aggressive environmental policies.
New Mexico is a state with many needs – education, infrastructure and health care, just to name a few. The numbers above, and many other similar points of data, offer a clear-cut solution for the numerous challenges facing our state. Southeast New Mexico rests on top of one of the world’s greatest resources. We hope our legislators remember this fact when they convene next month.
New Mexico
Ruidoso’s Water Park Ready to Kick Off Summer with a Splash
Good news for those looking to beat the heat this summer, a unique floating water park is just a short drive away in Ruidoso, New Mexico!
Ruidoso is already among the favorite nearby spots for El Pasoans to cool off from the desert heat, but did you know it is also home to this unique water attraction?
The Ruidoso Parks and Recreation department just announced that Wibit will make a return his summer to Grindstone Lake! And the update they shared will have you thinking of spending your entire summer there!
Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake is an inflatable platform made up of giant slides, towers, trampolines, ramps, and wiggle bridges. Adventurous kids of all ages can bounce, slide, climb, jump and splash in the water.
Wibit Water Parks are typically found in tourist destinations, public beaches, resorts, and aquatic centers, offering a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. They are designed to be safe, with rigorous safety standards and supervision often provided by trained lifeguards.
Ruidoso is situated in the south-central part of New Mexico, nestled in the Lincoln National Forest. The area is characterized by its alpine environment, with lush forests, clear streams, and impressive mountain views. The elevation ranges from 6,920 feet in the village to over 12,000 feet at the peak of Sierra Blanca, which provides a cool climate and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can get more info, and find out about more summer activities in Ruidoso, here.
10 Tourist Traps to Avoid in New Mexico
Are you visiting New Mexico for the first time or simply exploring the state you call home? Either way, you probably will want to avoid thee tourist traps:
10 of the Most Haunted Locations to Check Out in New Mexico
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
New Mexico
Stay Safe: Don't Breathe Too Deeply in These Cities in Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona
It doesn’t matter if you travel to Texas, New Mexico OR Arizona, all 3 states have problems with air pollution. Some cities have more issues than others, but which ones are the worst when it comes to air pollution? Well, we know exactly which ones to be extra careful when outside.
Which cities have the highest amount of air pollution in Texas, New Mexico & Arizona?
In a recent study by the American Lung Association (ALA), they went to over 200 different cities in the entire United States. Each city was ranked based on the average of days with high ozone, how many particles of pollution were in the air for a single day & all year round.
They found that while 1 city from Arizona made their rankings, Phoenix ranked high in ALL 3 lists. There were 2 major cities from New Mexico & a whopping 5 cities from Texas found on their ozone list; one actually made 2 lists of theirs (that honor goes to Houston).
Granted they weren’t THE worst cities according to the ALA; those honors all go to various cities in California like Bakersfield & Los Angeles. But it IS clear that if you live or travel in Texas, New Mexico or Arizona, you’ll want to be extra careful because the air can be quite tainted with pollution.
If you want to see which cities ranked amongst the worst, we did the research for you so you can find out which ones made the cut. I’m hoping some of these cities WON’T
LOOK: Texas, New Mexico & Arizona Cities With the Worst Air Pollution
Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus
The Top Causes of Death in New Mexico
Death isn’t something most people want to ponder over for long periods of time. Regardless, it is something that will happen to everyone one day. These are the top 10 causes of death in New Mexico.
Gallery Credit: Maleri McHam
9 Creepy Bugs Found in Arizona
There are over 900 insects that call Arizona home. With that many, there are bound to be some creepy ones. Check out these 9 bugs that might just give you nightmares.
New Mexico
Federal agency takes control of fiery train derailment investigation near Arizona-New Mexico border
MANUELITO, N.M. (AP/AZFamily) — The Federal Railroad Administration is now leading the investigation of last month’s fiery train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said Thursday that the FRA will determine the probable cause of the April 26 derailment.
NTSB investigators have examined the track and derailed tank cars and will focus on the performance of the tank cars and emergency response actions.
The derailment of an BNSF Railway freight train forced a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40 to close and led to two days of precautionary evacuations for 52 Manuelito residents who lived within a two-mile radius of the derailment site.
No injuries were reported, McKinley County officials said.
The train had left Belen, New Mexico, and was headed to Phoenix and was traveling about 53 mph at the time of the derailment, well below the maximum authorized speed of 70 mph near the derailment site, NTSB investigators said.
Of the 35 cars that derailed, six tank cars were carrying non-odorous propane, the NTSB said.
Four of the six tank cars were breached and released their contents, which ignited, investigators said. New Mexico State Police Lt. Phil Vargas said some rail cars caught fire and burned for hours after the derailment.
Initial passersby posted video and photos on social media of crumpled train cars and billowing, black smoke.
A fifth tank car carrying propane — a type of liquefied petroleum gas — was exposed to the flames and released vapor through its pressure relief device, investigators said.
Each derailed tank car was carrying about 30,000 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas, according to investigators.
The derailment also led Amtrak to cancel some passenger travel, including on the route between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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