New Mexico

US offers oil and gas drilling rights in first auction since Biden’s IRA

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

US offers oil and gas drilling rights in first auction since Biden’s IRA

May 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. on Thursday will hold its first sale of oil and gas drilling rights on federal lands since passage of President Joe Biden’s landmark climate change law, with more than 10,000 acres (40.5 square kilometers) on offer in New Mexico and Kansas.

The federal lease auction is just the second to be held in New Mexico, the nation’s second-largest oil-producing state, since Biden became president in 2021.

Biden’s Interior Department had attempted to suspend federal oil and gas leasing to study its environmental and climate impacts, but the Inflation Reduction Act that passed last year requires some oil and gas auctions if federal rights of way are offered for renewable energy projects.

It is a modest sale, by historical standards, with just 19 parcels on offer on 3,300 acres in New Mexico’s portion of the Permian basin. The auction will include an additional 26 parcels on 6,800 acres in Cheyenne County, Kansas.

New Mexico crude oil production was about 20 times higher than that of Kansas last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The sale will be conducted by online auction platform EnergyNet beginning at 9:00 am CDT (1400 GMT).

Terms of the sale will reflect new IRA requirements including royalty rates of 16.67%, up from a prior 12.5%, and bids starting at $10 an acre compared with $2 an acre before passage of the law.

The development potential of the parcels in Kansas is estimated to be 1.53 million barrels of oil and 16.66 thousand cubic feet (mcf) of natural gas, according to a U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sale document.

In New Mexico, the acreage is projected to produce 3.2 million barrels of oil and 18.61 mcf of gas.

Several environmental groups filed protests that sought cancellation of the sale by BLM. Among other concerns, they said the Biden administration had failed to analyze mitigation efforts to address the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from development of the parcels.

An Interior Department spokesperson would not comment on the protests.

Reporting by Nichola Groom
Editing by Marguerita Choy

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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New Mexico

This Uncrowded New Mexico Beach Is A Hidden Gem Nestled In An Underrated City – Islands

Published

30 minutes ago

October 26, 2025

Press Room

This Uncrowded New Mexico Beach Is A Hidden Gem Nestled In An Underrated City – Islands

New Mexico’s famous Carlsbad Caverns National Park draws about 400,000 visitors each year, and is home to the largest accessible cave chamber in North America. Before or after a visit to the caves, the underrated city of Carlsbad makes a perfect base to recharge. With a peaceful setting along the Pecos River, Carlsbad entices visitors with river walks and wildlife. In the center of this metropolitan city is a rare gem: a riverfront beach park with soft sand, swimming areas, and even a small waterpark.

Formed by a dam on a portion of the Pecos River, the unique public space has an array of activities for park goers, ranging from beach volleyball to kayaking and boating. Spanning 125.6 miles, the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area provides an urban oasis for residents and visitors alike, just steps away from all the attractions and dining options in Carlsbad. For a perfect combination adventure, visitors can spend time at Lake Carlsbad, or explore a nearby golf course, zoo, and both state and national parks.

Attractions in and around the Carlsbad Recreation Area

The Carlsbad Recreation Area has something for everyone, including five miles of walking paths lined with pecan trees for a relaxing stroll while soaking in the river views. Families can gather in picnic areas with barbecue pits, or take in a game of racquetball or mini golf. There’s also a beach and pavilion, swimming areas, and boat launches for a full day spent on the water. Kids will love the playgrounds, hockey rink, and skatepark. The city-run waterpark within the recreation area has six different small waterslides, a lazy river, children’s play areas, and lounge areas for a nominal entry fee of $5.

Less than five miles from the lake park is the Living Gardens Desert Zoo and State Park, which features hiking trails with amazing views of the valley, wildlife viewing, and educational tours. There are several lodging options for visitors, including tent and RV sites or rustic cabins at the Carlsbad RV Park or camping at Brantley Lake State Park. Right in the city, the Trinity Hotel offers an elegant stay in a historic building that dates back to 1892, or the highly-rated Fiddler’s Inn provides charming accommodations and a cozy atmosphere.

To get to Carlsbad, the Cavern City Air Terminal has a small number of commercial flights to Albuquerque and Phoenix. Or, for more flight options, the El Paso International Airport is the next best option, and is about a 2.5-hour drive from Carlsbad. For further exploration of under-the-radar attractions, about 50 miles outside of Carlsbad is the breathtaking Guadalupe Mountains, which is somehow one of the least-crowded national parks.

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