From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Thu Jan 12 16:37:46 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Thu Jan 12 18:55:52 2006 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] ACTION ALERT: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Message-ID: Valle Vidal Supporters, Yesterday, the article below calling for increased oil and gas development on public lands appeared in the Albuquerque Tribune. As you can easily see, the author chose to fill his piece with falsities and distortions. Further, his position would keep our nation trapped in the increasingly shrinking box that is fossil fuels. His letter deserves a response. I hope you will be able to help. Talking points and contact information below. Talking Points (please use all or some of the following in your letter) - NMOGAs assertions are inconsistent with the facts. New Mexico is already making a huge sacrifice, but despite record drilling over the last 5 years, prices keep going up. Why? Fossil fuel resources are running dry. The sooner we switch to a clean energy economy, the better. - The fastest, cheapest, most reliable way to reduce energy costs is by increasing our reliance on clean energy. - Aggressive development of clean energy resources over the next 7-10 years would lead to enough wind power to supply 25 million homes. It takes 2.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to generate the same amount of energy - that is about 80 % of total current natural gas production on public lands. - Reducing energy demand by 2% with energy efficiency measures can result in price reductions of up to 25%. - There are over 8,000 federal oil and gas leases in effect in New Mexico, covering over 4,825,000 acres ? more federal leases and federal acreage leased than any state except Wyoming. ? - The BLM issued over 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, more than any state except Wyoming. Even though the BLM issued over 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, the oil and gas industry only drilled 726 new holes in the state in that year ? in other words well over 500 drilling permits issued by the federal government went unused by the industry. Why is this? ? - The New Mexico oil land gas industry has over 25,000 wells on federal lands in New Mexico, more than any other western state. - There is not enough gas in all the West to supply the nation for more than a few years. - NMOGA?s empty ?good neighbor? policy is a bust. The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division?s recent collection of data showing more than 1400 groundwater contamination cases due to oil and gas activities and the industry?s rabid opposition to the OCD?s proposed regulations on use/construction of pits and disposal of surface wastes.? Some neighbor. - If wind farms expanded at the current rate through 2010, we could double the amount of gas saved to around 365bcf a year. That is close to 10 Valle Vidals. - No power plant, wind, coal, nuclear, runs at full capacity 100% of the time. A 100MW wind farm running at, say, only 35% capacity will generate 306,000MWh of energy a year. It takes a gas -fired plant between 2.3 and 2.75 billion cubic feet of gas to generate the same power. That equals 3-5 Valle Vidals. So, let me make this clear: one wind farm running at 35% capacity will generate more electricity than 3-5 Valle Vidals?!?!?! - This is clearly a debate between new, clean and efficient technologies and old, dirty and inefficient technologies. Its a debate between a very bright future full of possibility and a dark future where we increasingly poison ourselves and the land we depend on. Send to: Letters to the Editor Albuquerque Tribune PO Drawer T Albuquerque, NM 87103 Fax: 505-823-3689 Phone: 505-823-3699 email: letters@abqtrib.com >> http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_commentaries/article/ >> 0,2565,ALBQ_19866_4377268,00.html >> ? >> The Albuquerque Tribune >> ? >> Commentary: Mine the lands >> >> Those who erect roadblocks to natural-gas exploration in energy-rich >> Western lands contribute to the continued hit on consumers' >> pocketbooks. >> >> By Bob Gallagher >> January 10, 2006 >> >> With much of the attention focused these days on high energy prices, >> we come back to the cure for today's energy issue: supply. >> >> The nation is using more natural gas than we have, and access to >> energy-rich lands, in New Mexico as well as the Mountain West, plays >> a pivotal role in ensuring that we have adequate energy supplies. >> >> Clean-burning natural gas provides roughly one-quarter of the >> nation's energy and according to the Energy Information >> Administration, our consumption of natural gas will increase by 40 >> percent by 2025. Allowing the oil and natural gas industry access to >> explore and develop federal lands is a necessary move that benefits >> everyone across the nation. The lands in question are non-park, >> non-wilderness and are designated for multiple uses. >> >> I should repeat that the lands in question are non-park, >> non-wilderness and are designated by Congress for multiple uses. When >> the public, the media and those who fight development fully >> understand this, perhaps the battles will cease - or at least wane in >> their intensity. >> >> The media have reported for months now that this winter promises to >> be expensive because of the increased cost of natural gas. The Energy >> Information Administration's annual energy-outlook report projects >> demand for natural gas to steadily increase at an average annual rate >> of 1.5 percent through 2025. Consumers using natural gas to heat >> their homes likely will spend an average of $600, or 75 percent more, >> for fuel this winter than last winter. >> >> It is important for energy consumers to know that reducing the >> barriers to exploration and development on public lands could curb >> rising natural gas prices. Too many of the best oil and natural gas >> prospects are officially or unofficially off-limits, because of >> government regulation and limitations. >> >> Even in our own state and in the Mountain West, where areas already >> have been leased, onerous permit delays and nuisance litigation >> hinder oil and gas production. Restrictions on permits, such as >> prohibitions on surface activity, make it difficult, if not >> impossible, to develop leased areas. >> >> Each lawsuit filed and each delay in the permitting or leasing >> process is another day New Mexicans and all Americans are asking >> themselves why they are spending so much to heat their homes. >> >> We should also tell consumers that a balance can be struck: We can >> live with production and consumption, while still protecting the >> environment. >> >> For example, here in New Mexico, the New Mexico Oil and Gas >> Association continues its good-neighbor practice by ensuring that >> field workers understand the benefits of being a good neighbor. These >> practices help ensure that the environment is protected as natural >> resources are developed and produced. The Oil and Gas Association's >> bold initiative is just one of many examples of how the industry is >> making long-term, committed strides toward making a visible >> difference to the environment. >> >> The industry understands that quality of life means more than just >> heat for homes or enough gasoline to get to the store. It also means >> protecting and improving the human and natural environment, while >> producing the life-enhancing products we need to sustain our daily >> lives. >> >> An energy policy that fails to develop the nation's domestic >> resources places a heavy burden on consumers and their pocketbooks. >> According to a 2003 natural gas study conducted by the National >> Petroleum Council, if the current constraints on natural gas >> development continue, consumers can expect to see a rise of $300 >> billion in increased energy costs during the next 20 years. >> >> In these times, I urge everyone to do what's best for New Mexico, the >> country and future Americans: Allow the oil and natural gas industry >> access to energy-rich lands, so our state and America can grow >> economically and have a reliable supply of energy for generations to >> come, while protecting our important environmental qualities. >> > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 23 14:30:00 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon Jan 23 14:39:39 2006 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Valle Vidal interview - Tuesday on KRZA Message-ID: <3e397399d4730a08f8c57874282c68c3@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal supporters, An interview and story about the Valle Vidal will air tomorrow morning (Tuesday, January 24th) between 8 and 8:30 on KRZA, 88.7 FM. It will be rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night as well. Please tune in! Jim Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Wed Jan 25 15:34:09 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Wed Jan 25 15:42:55 2006 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Money talks big in the West Message-ID: <0f82ba3bff2d87f569249d993a5f2cad@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, Thank you all for your wonderful response to the January 10, 2006 op-ed by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association's Bob Gallager. Many of your letters were printed in the Albuquerque Tribune, effectively tearing down the misinformation put forth by the head of NMOGA. I have copied one of the best responses below. Thank you again! http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_commentaries/article/ 0,2565,ALBQ_19866_4411622,00.html Commentary: Money talks big in the West In N.M. and its neighbor states, leases are given to oil and gas companies so rapidly, even drilling can't keep up. And yet, these companies want more and we are no closer to energy independence. By Nicole Rosmarino January 24, 2006 The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association ("Mine the lands," Insight & Opinion, Jan. 10) proclaims that advocating protection of our best remaining natural places, and urging a shift to clean energy sooner rather than later, are hindering industry's ability to drill. An industry that is enjoying record profits, while the rest of us pay sky-high prices at the pumps and in our homes, has a lot of nerve suggesting it is concerned about the public interest. Moreover, the association's claims don't ring true. Despite nearly unlimited access to the same lands the American public treasures for their natural values, the industry clamors for more. In the United States, since 1982, more than 229 million acres of public land have been leased to oil and gas companies. That's larger than the combined size of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. In just the past three years, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the N.M. State Land Office have leased more than 1.2 million acres in New Mexico to oil and gas companies. While federal environmental safeguards should mean these areas are offered for lease only after cautious reflection, in fact the BLM is violating these safeguards by failing to consider impacts to wildlife and public health before it turns our public lands over to industrialization by oil and gas companies. In BLM's Jan. 18 quarterly lease sale, we identified significant environment concerns on nearly 80 percent of the acreage offered up for lease. Incredibly, there is no formal public oversight of environmental impacts from the State Land Office's oil and gas program. The speed of leasing is matched by the government's swift rubber-stamping of drilling applications. For example, in 2004, the BLM approved approximately 5,800 new wells in five Western states, versus 3,600 new wells in 2003. BLM announced last fall that it is hiring 35 more staff people in New Mexico to process new well applications even more quickly. BLM will increasingly fast-track new wells by exempting them from public review, thereby failing to protect the public from harmful impacts to air quality, groundwater and wildlife. The Washington Post reported in 2005 that there are many more wells that have already been approved by the government than the oil and gas companies have been able to drill. For instance, in New Mexico in 2004, while 1,321 wells were approved by the BLM, only a little over half of that number - 726 wells - were drilled. In addition to the rubber stamp being given to new wells in already developed oil fields on our public lands, consider also the government's push to open up our best remaining natural areas to industrialization by oil and gas companies: the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Otero Mesa, a jewel of the Chihuahuan Desert; northern New Mexico's "Valley of Life," the Valle Vidal; and the unique and diverse Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Roswell. There is no replacing these precious natural areas once they have been destroyed by oil and gas operations. Most of us recognize the wisdom of safeguarding these wild areas, but the Bush administration is increasingly cutting the public out of environmental decision-making. A witness to this are attempts to dismantle our nation's effective and popular environmental safeguards, particularly the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. We don't deny that leases and royalties provide money for the state and local governments. However, massive costs are being paid in terms of wildlife extinction, lives disrupted with noisy compressors, landscapes fragmented by new wells, roads and pipelines, precious water supplies polluted, our air despoiled by nitrogen and carbon dioxide from compressors, and climate change linked to fossil fuel emissions. As a society, we cannot tolerate deferring these significant costs to our children and grandchildren. So, 229 million acres of public lands later, are we any closer to achieving energy independence? Since 1982, U.S. dependence on foreign oil has more than doubled, and dependence on foreign natural gas has tripled. Can there be any doubt that we must step up energy conservation and transition to clean energy, instead of continually slaking industry's unquenchable thirst to develop the last meager pockets of petroleum on public lands? Rather than being over-regulated, the industry is enjoying a golden age, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell where the oil and gas industry ends and the Bush administration begins. President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Interior Secretary Gale Norton and others in the administration all have or have had close ties with oil industry executives, and the Bush energy plan is a disastrous scheme to turn over as much of our public land as possible to this industry, despite the ecological hazards of drilling and the impossibility of restoring precious natural areas once they have been destroyed by oil and gas operations. We must insist on a precautionary approach by government and especially public land managers, so that undue costs are not borne by fragile wild places and future generations of people and wildlife. New Mexico's rich natural heritage deserves even more safeguards from a government that is bending to the profit-driven whims of the oil and gas industry. > > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 30 12:43:31 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon Jan 30 12:58:03 2006 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Oil, Natural Gas, And Alternative Energy Futures For The USA Message-ID: <5151d6f6a54960213d9c1eba11b0a28d@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, Below are two more strong statements in the Albuquerque Tribune in response to the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association rant of January 10, 2006. Coalition member Bill Brown offers this reminder to all regarding the politically inspired ?energy independence? issue: "On the basis of geoscientific information (as opposed to political rhetoric), oil and natural gas are abundant in the world.? However, neither is abundant on the North American Continent.? Therefore, if the USA wants natural gas for its future, it will need to import it from the countries where it exists in abundance.? The same is true for oil, as we all know.? The principal countries holding natural gas are Russia, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that together possess about 67 percent of the world?s proven natural gas reserves.? [The USA, by the way, is going after these foreign reserves via a huge liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation program facilitated by the 2005 Energy Bill ? thus the continuing political hypocrisy of ?energy independence?.] The global oil and natural gas reserves data mean, very simply, that ?energy independence? for the USA would mean the end of oil and natural gas development in North America, and massive, rapid conversion to alternative energy sources.? These alternatives include power from coal and nuclear fuels as well as from wind, solar, and biomass.? With less than 3 percent of the world?s proved oil reserves and about 3 percent of the world?s proved natural gas reserves, and with both reserves rapidly declining, the USA is in no position ? now or ever ? to drill its way to ?energy independence? via oil and gas development. Additionally, oil and natural gas prices are determined by a variety of competing forces operating through the futures markets in New York and London, where oil and natural gas are traded like any other commodity in the global marketplace.? How much or how little drilling goes on in the USA is an insignificant factor in the global price of either oil or natural gas." > ? > ? > http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/opinions/article/ > 0,2565,ALBQ_19868_4421586,00.html > ? > The Albuquerque Tribune > ? > Letters to the Editor > > January 28, 2006 > > Solar, wind power are the way to go > > Regarding Bob Gallagher's column of Jan. 10 ("Mine the lands," Insight > & Opinion), addressing the need to lessen restrictions on the > development of unrenewable resources: > > I think he has missed the point entirely. > > He wants "the oil and gas industry to have access to energy rich land, > so our state and America can grow economically and have a reliable > supply of energy for generations to come, while protecting our > environmental qualities." > > He goes on to state, "It is important for energy consumers to know > that reducing the barrier to exploration and development on public > lands could curb rising natural gas prices." > > Could? When? To sacrifice the rules and regs that protect our public > lands, for a "could"? In favor of an entity with a track record of > environmental protection as lousy as his industry's? > > As this energy resource lessens and our usage increases, the law of > supply and demand will produce higher and higher costs. The fact is > that the fastest, cheapest most reliable way to reduce our energy > costs is to increase our reliance on renewable energy. > > Let's put our money there. . . . > > Wouldn't you love to have a reason not to curse the wind? I would. > We've got way more wind and solar power than we could ever harvest. > Ever! Why not invest our technology and development dollars in a > never-ending, clean, nonpolluting resource? No need to spend money on > "nuisance litigation" with those nasty little environmentalists, . . . > no need to go searching for pockets of hidden oil and gas, all the > while saying it is getting more and more expensive to provide as it > becomes scarcer and harder to get to. . . . > > Oil and gas production is going the way of the dinosaurs. Let's look > forward and develop a clean energy policy that takes care of our > citizens and the earth that houses us all. Solar and wind power are > the way to go. > > Sue Strebe > Guadalupita > > ? > > ? > > Dirty, costly oil is on its way out > > ?(Re: "Mine the lands," an opinion piece by Bob Gallagher published in > Insight & Opinion, Jan. 10.) > > . . . The fact is that there is not enough gas in all the West to > supply the nation for more than a few years. > > Further, the New Mexico oil and gas industry has more than 25,000 > wells already on federal lands in New Mexico - more than any other > Western state. > > More than 8,000 federal oil and gas leases are in effect in New > Mexico, covering more than 4.8 million - more federal leases and > federal acreage leased than any state except Wyoming. > > And even though the U.S. Bureau of Land Management issued more than > 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, the oil and gas industry > only drilled 726 new holes in the state in that year. In other words, > well over 500 drilling permits issued by the federal government went > unused by the industry. Why is this? > > The New Mexico Oil & Gas Association's assertions are inconsistent > with the facts. New Mexico is already making an enormous sacrifice, > but despite record drilling over the last five years, prices keep > going up. Why? Fossil fuel resources are running dry. The sooner we > switch to a clean energy economy, the better. > > This is a clear issue: It's a debate between new, clean and efficient > technologies and old, dirty and inefficient technologies. Are we going > to continue to poison ourselves increasingly as well as the land we > depend on? . . . > > Susanna de Falla > Albuquerque > ? > ? > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 30 16:36:06 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon Jan 30 16:47:07 2006 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] ACTION ALERT: State Legislature: SB 407 Message-ID: <48c452dd6c67c05b6868bbc81b480843@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, ? Your Urgent Support Is Needed for: Senate Bill SB 407 & House Bill HB 188 : LAND, WILDLIFE AND CLEAN ENERGY ACT ? These bills will provide permanent funding that we could use for conservation and restoration projects and wildlife management in the Valle Vidal. It also would fund clean energy programs. Contact information below. ? The first hearing for SB 407 will come before the Senate Conservation Committee on Tuesday, 1/31/06, 2:00 pm, RM 311 at the State Capital. Please make your calls TODAY! ? ? CONTACT ? Carlos R. Cisneros Chair D 986-4861 carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov ?Dist. 6: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba. Santa Fe, Taos Phil A. Griego Vice Chair D 986-4265 phil.griego@nmlegis.gov Dist 39: Los Alamos Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe & Taos William E. Sharer Ranking Member R 986-4381 bill@williamsharer.com Dist. 1: San Juan Ben D. Altamirano Member D 986-4733 ! NONE Dist. 28, Catron, Grant & Socorro Clinton D. Harden Member R 986-4369 charden@theosogroup.com Dist 7: Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Taos & Union Richard C. Martinez Member D 986-4389 richardc.martinez@nmlegis.gov Dist. 5: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe William H. Payne Member R 986-4276 william.payne@nmlegis.gov Dist. 20, Bernalillo John Pinto Member D 986-4835 None Dist. 3: McKinley & San Juan John C. Ryan Member R 986-4373 johnchrisryan@yahoo.com Dist. 10: Bernalillo & Sandoval NOTE: If your legislator is not one of the committee members call the Chair and Vice-chair person on the committee. Refer to the Senate Conservation member list for contact information. Tell them you want them to support SB 188.? We recommend that you call and e-mail your State Senator on the committee and call the Chairman and Vice-Chair. ? ? Background ? New Mexico is one of the few western states that does not have a comprehensive, state-funded land and wildlife conservation program.?? At present, state agencies and conservation organizations must approach the legislature every year for piecemeal, incremental funding for specific projects.? To help remedy this situation, conservation organizations have joined together as an ad hoc coalition to help create New Mexico?s first dedicated funding for conservation, wildlife, renewable clean energy. ? In 2004, the coalition was successful in passing House Joint Memorial 37, which directed the Department of Game & Fish and the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to ?conduct a study to investigate sustainable alternative funding measures to protect New Mexico?s unique landscapes, open spaces, recreation areas and wildlife habitats?.? The results of the study can be found on the NM Game & Fish Dept. web site at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation ? In 2005, the state legislature appropriated $5 million to begin a pilot land and wildlife conservation program.? To date 29 applications totaling over $14 million have been received. Of the 29 applications, 14 projects are currently being considered to be funded. ? In the 2006 legislative session the coalition has introduced house bill (HB 188 & SB 407 - The Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Conservation Act). These identical bills will provide permanent yearly funding for the several types of conservation programs ( Refer to SB ? attached) ??The source of the funding will be the existing Oil and Gas Conservation Tax, which is a .19% tax on oil and gas revenues produced in the state.? In the 2006 fiscal year it is slated to bring in approximately $19 million to the state coffers.? At present, approximately 10% of the tax goes into the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund (OGRF), with the balance to the general fund.? This bill will direct approximately $10 million per year into wildlife and renewable energy programs. For detailed outline on SB 407 please review the attached fact sheets and actual bill language. ? Action is Needed to Protect the Future of New Mexico?s Outdoor Heritage ? ? These bills will help New Mexico capture the nearly $20 million in federal matching funds for conservation that are lost each year due to a lack of state matching funds. The House Joint Memorial 34 study written by NM Game & Fish Dept., states that New Mexico can only fund about 25% of its conservation projects needs. ? ? ???????? These bills support the future of hunting, fishing, and rural communities in New Mexico. Funding will be allocated on a balanced and competitive basis among wildlife habitat improvement and trails, conservation easements to support working farms and ranches, clean energy grants and support for hunting and fishing? access and other opportunities ? ???????? Loss of Access to Hunting and Fishing Areas is the #1 Concern of New Mexico sportsmen. A recent poll of licensed hunters and anglers revealed that the loss of hunting and fishing grounds is the sportsman?s top concern in New Mexico (NMWF poll, August 2004). HB 188 will help reverse the trend of dwindling access by making funding available for the purchase of some key hunting and fishing grounds or for the purchase of access across private land? to landlocked public lands. ? ???????? Many landowners want to keep the family farm or ranch in operation, but are forced by economic circumstances to sell their land to development. Every year 40,000 acres of private lands and wildlife habitat are converted to development in New Mexico?ten percent of which is prime agricultural ground. No landowner should be forced?by a lack of economic options?to sell the family farm or ranch and see it carved up into subdivisions. HB 188 strongly supports conservation easements (also defined as the purchase of development rights), which provides a way forward for landowners who want to keep their lands in production. ? Wildlife and Outdoor Sports Are Vital to New Mexico?s Rural Economy ? ???????? Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Watching Generate $1 Billion Each Year in Direct Economy for New Mexico, and another $1 Billion is spent each year in New Mexico on camping, hiking and other outdoor sports. Much of this $2 Billion outdoor economy is essential to rural communities. Investing in this economic asset simply makes sense. The New Mexico Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act will make funds available to protect working lands, preserve access to key hunting and fishing areas, and will provide money for wildlife habitat improvements and trails through competitive bidding. ???????? Each year New Mexico loses approximately $20 million in federal matching funds for conservation projects. By supporting the New Mexico Land, Water and Clean Energy Act we are supporting the ability to capture these lost federal funds which will benefit New Mexico?s farms, ranches, wildlife, hunters, anglers and everyone who loves the great outdoors. ? For more information contact: Oscar Simpson at 505-259-5766 cell or 505-345-0117 Jeremy Vesbach at 505-264-5500 cell or 505-299-5404 ? Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Thu Jan 12 16:37:46 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 14:37:46 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] ACTION ALERT: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Message-ID: Valle Vidal Supporters, Yesterday, the article below calling for increased oil and gas development on public lands appeared in the Albuquerque Tribune. As you can easily see, the author chose to fill his piece with falsities and distortions. Further, his position would keep our nation trapped in the increasingly shrinking box that is fossil fuels. His letter deserves a response. I hope you will be able to help. Talking points and contact information below. Talking Points (please use all or some of the following in your letter) - NMOGAs assertions are inconsistent with the facts. New Mexico is already making a huge sacrifice, but despite record drilling over the last 5 years, prices keep going up. Why? Fossil fuel resources are running dry. The sooner we switch to a clean energy economy, the better. - The fastest, cheapest, most reliable way to reduce energy costs is by increasing our reliance on clean energy. - Aggressive development of clean energy resources over the next 7-10 years would lead to enough wind power to supply 25 million homes. It takes 2.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to generate the same amount of energy - that is about 80 % of total current natural gas production on public lands. - Reducing energy demand by 2% with energy efficiency measures can result in price reductions of up to 25%. - There are over 8,000 federal oil and gas leases in effect in New Mexico, covering over 4,825,000 acres ? more federal leases and federal acreage leased than any state except Wyoming. ? - The BLM issued over 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, more than any state except Wyoming. Even though the BLM issued over 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, the oil and gas industry only drilled 726 new holes in the state in that year ? in other words well over 500 drilling permits issued by the federal government went unused by the industry. Why is this? ? - The New Mexico oil land gas industry has over 25,000 wells on federal lands in New Mexico, more than any other western state. - There is not enough gas in all the West to supply the nation for more than a few years. - NMOGA?s empty ?good neighbor? policy is a bust. The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division?s recent collection of data showing more than 1400 groundwater contamination cases due to oil and gas activities and the industry?s rabid opposition to the OCD?s proposed regulations on use/construction of pits and disposal of surface wastes.? Some neighbor. - If wind farms expanded at the current rate through 2010, we could double the amount of gas saved to around 365bcf a year. That is close to 10 Valle Vidals. - No power plant, wind, coal, nuclear, runs at full capacity 100% of the time. A 100MW wind farm running at, say, only 35% capacity will generate 306,000MWh of energy a year. It takes a gas -fired plant between 2.3 and 2.75 billion cubic feet of gas to generate the same power. That equals 3-5 Valle Vidals. So, let me make this clear: one wind farm running at 35% capacity will generate more electricity than 3-5 Valle Vidals?!?!?! - This is clearly a debate between new, clean and efficient technologies and old, dirty and inefficient technologies. Its a debate between a very bright future full of possibility and a dark future where we increasingly poison ourselves and the land we depend on. Send to: Letters to the Editor Albuquerque Tribune PO Drawer T Albuquerque, NM 87103 Fax: 505-823-3689 Phone: 505-823-3699 email: letters at abqtrib.com >> http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_commentaries/article/ >> 0,2565,ALBQ_19866_4377268,00.html >> ? >> The Albuquerque Tribune >> ? >> Commentary: Mine the lands >> >> Those who erect roadblocks to natural-gas exploration in energy-rich >> Western lands contribute to the continued hit on consumers' >> pocketbooks. >> >> By Bob Gallagher >> January 10, 2006 >> >> With much of the attention focused these days on high energy prices, >> we come back to the cure for today's energy issue: supply. >> >> The nation is using more natural gas than we have, and access to >> energy-rich lands, in New Mexico as well as the Mountain West, plays >> a pivotal role in ensuring that we have adequate energy supplies. >> >> Clean-burning natural gas provides roughly one-quarter of the >> nation's energy and according to the Energy Information >> Administration, our consumption of natural gas will increase by 40 >> percent by 2025. Allowing the oil and natural gas industry access to >> explore and develop federal lands is a necessary move that benefits >> everyone across the nation. The lands in question are non-park, >> non-wilderness and are designated for multiple uses. >> >> I should repeat that the lands in question are non-park, >> non-wilderness and are designated by Congress for multiple uses. When >> the public, the media and those who fight development fully >> understand this, perhaps the battles will cease - or at least wane in >> their intensity. >> >> The media have reported for months now that this winter promises to >> be expensive because of the increased cost of natural gas. The Energy >> Information Administration's annual energy-outlook report projects >> demand for natural gas to steadily increase at an average annual rate >> of 1.5 percent through 2025. Consumers using natural gas to heat >> their homes likely will spend an average of $600, or 75 percent more, >> for fuel this winter than last winter. >> >> It is important for energy consumers to know that reducing the >> barriers to exploration and development on public lands could curb >> rising natural gas prices. Too many of the best oil and natural gas >> prospects are officially or unofficially off-limits, because of >> government regulation and limitations. >> >> Even in our own state and in the Mountain West, where areas already >> have been leased, onerous permit delays and nuisance litigation >> hinder oil and gas production. Restrictions on permits, such as >> prohibitions on surface activity, make it difficult, if not >> impossible, to develop leased areas. >> >> Each lawsuit filed and each delay in the permitting or leasing >> process is another day New Mexicans and all Americans are asking >> themselves why they are spending so much to heat their homes. >> >> We should also tell consumers that a balance can be struck: We can >> live with production and consumption, while still protecting the >> environment. >> >> For example, here in New Mexico, the New Mexico Oil and Gas >> Association continues its good-neighbor practice by ensuring that >> field workers understand the benefits of being a good neighbor. These >> practices help ensure that the environment is protected as natural >> resources are developed and produced. The Oil and Gas Association's >> bold initiative is just one of many examples of how the industry is >> making long-term, committed strides toward making a visible >> difference to the environment. >> >> The industry understands that quality of life means more than just >> heat for homes or enough gasoline to get to the store. It also means >> protecting and improving the human and natural environment, while >> producing the life-enhancing products we need to sustain our daily >> lives. >> >> An energy policy that fails to develop the nation's domestic >> resources places a heavy burden on consumers and their pocketbooks. >> According to a 2003 natural gas study conducted by the National >> Petroleum Council, if the current constraints on natural gas >> development continue, consumers can expect to see a rise of $300 >> billion in increased energy costs during the next 20 years. >> >> In these times, I urge everyone to do what's best for New Mexico, the >> country and future Americans: Allow the oil and natural gas industry >> access to energy-rich lands, so our state and America can grow >> economically and have a reliable supply of energy for generations to >> come, while protecting our important environmental qualities. >> > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 23 14:30:00 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:30:00 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Valle Vidal interview - Tuesday on KRZA Message-ID: <3e397399d4730a08f8c57874282c68c3@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal supporters, An interview and story about the Valle Vidal will air tomorrow morning (Tuesday, January 24th) between 8 and 8:30 on KRZA, 88.7 FM. It will be rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night as well. Please tune in! Jim Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Wed Jan 25 15:34:09 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:34:09 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Money talks big in the West Message-ID: <0f82ba3bff2d87f569249d993a5f2cad@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, Thank you all for your wonderful response to the January 10, 2006 op-ed by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association's Bob Gallager. Many of your letters were printed in the Albuquerque Tribune, effectively tearing down the misinformation put forth by the head of NMOGA. I have copied one of the best responses below. Thank you again! http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_commentaries/article/ 0,2565,ALBQ_19866_4411622,00.html Commentary: Money talks big in the West In N.M. and its neighbor states, leases are given to oil and gas companies so rapidly, even drilling can't keep up. And yet, these companies want more and we are no closer to energy independence. By Nicole Rosmarino January 24, 2006 The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association ("Mine the lands," Insight & Opinion, Jan. 10) proclaims that advocating protection of our best remaining natural places, and urging a shift to clean energy sooner rather than later, are hindering industry's ability to drill. An industry that is enjoying record profits, while the rest of us pay sky-high prices at the pumps and in our homes, has a lot of nerve suggesting it is concerned about the public interest. Moreover, the association's claims don't ring true. Despite nearly unlimited access to the same lands the American public treasures for their natural values, the industry clamors for more. In the United States, since 1982, more than 229 million acres of public land have been leased to oil and gas companies. That's larger than the combined size of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. In just the past three years, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the N.M. State Land Office have leased more than 1.2 million acres in New Mexico to oil and gas companies. While federal environmental safeguards should mean these areas are offered for lease only after cautious reflection, in fact the BLM is violating these safeguards by failing to consider impacts to wildlife and public health before it turns our public lands over to industrialization by oil and gas companies. In BLM's Jan. 18 quarterly lease sale, we identified significant environment concerns on nearly 80 percent of the acreage offered up for lease. Incredibly, there is no formal public oversight of environmental impacts from the State Land Office's oil and gas program. The speed of leasing is matched by the government's swift rubber-stamping of drilling applications. For example, in 2004, the BLM approved approximately 5,800 new wells in five Western states, versus 3,600 new wells in 2003. BLM announced last fall that it is hiring 35 more staff people in New Mexico to process new well applications even more quickly. BLM will increasingly fast-track new wells by exempting them from public review, thereby failing to protect the public from harmful impacts to air quality, groundwater and wildlife. The Washington Post reported in 2005 that there are many more wells that have already been approved by the government than the oil and gas companies have been able to drill. For instance, in New Mexico in 2004, while 1,321 wells were approved by the BLM, only a little over half of that number - 726 wells - were drilled. In addition to the rubber stamp being given to new wells in already developed oil fields on our public lands, consider also the government's push to open up our best remaining natural areas to industrialization by oil and gas companies: the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Otero Mesa, a jewel of the Chihuahuan Desert; northern New Mexico's "Valley of Life," the Valle Vidal; and the unique and diverse Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Roswell. There is no replacing these precious natural areas once they have been destroyed by oil and gas operations. Most of us recognize the wisdom of safeguarding these wild areas, but the Bush administration is increasingly cutting the public out of environmental decision-making. A witness to this are attempts to dismantle our nation's effective and popular environmental safeguards, particularly the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. We don't deny that leases and royalties provide money for the state and local governments. However, massive costs are being paid in terms of wildlife extinction, lives disrupted with noisy compressors, landscapes fragmented by new wells, roads and pipelines, precious water supplies polluted, our air despoiled by nitrogen and carbon dioxide from compressors, and climate change linked to fossil fuel emissions. As a society, we cannot tolerate deferring these significant costs to our children and grandchildren. So, 229 million acres of public lands later, are we any closer to achieving energy independence? Since 1982, U.S. dependence on foreign oil has more than doubled, and dependence on foreign natural gas has tripled. Can there be any doubt that we must step up energy conservation and transition to clean energy, instead of continually slaking industry's unquenchable thirst to develop the last meager pockets of petroleum on public lands? Rather than being over-regulated, the industry is enjoying a golden age, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell where the oil and gas industry ends and the Bush administration begins. President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Interior Secretary Gale Norton and others in the administration all have or have had close ties with oil industry executives, and the Bush energy plan is a disastrous scheme to turn over as much of our public land as possible to this industry, despite the ecological hazards of drilling and the impossibility of restoring precious natural areas once they have been destroyed by oil and gas operations. We must insist on a precautionary approach by government and especially public land managers, so that undue costs are not borne by fragile wild places and future generations of people and wildlife. New Mexico's rich natural heritage deserves even more safeguards from a government that is bending to the profit-driven whims of the oil and gas industry. > > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 30 12:43:31 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 10:43:31 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Oil, Natural Gas, And Alternative Energy Futures For The USA Message-ID: <5151d6f6a54960213d9c1eba11b0a28d@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, Below are two more strong statements in the Albuquerque Tribune in response to the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association rant of January 10, 2006. Coalition member Bill Brown offers this reminder to all regarding the politically inspired ?energy independence? issue: "On the basis of geoscientific information (as opposed to political rhetoric), oil and natural gas are abundant in the world.? However, neither is abundant on the North American Continent.? Therefore, if the USA wants natural gas for its future, it will need to import it from the countries where it exists in abundance.? The same is true for oil, as we all know.? The principal countries holding natural gas are Russia, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that together possess about 67 percent of the world?s proven natural gas reserves.? [The USA, by the way, is going after these foreign reserves via a huge liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation program facilitated by the 2005 Energy Bill ? thus the continuing political hypocrisy of ?energy independence?.] The global oil and natural gas reserves data mean, very simply, that ?energy independence? for the USA would mean the end of oil and natural gas development in North America, and massive, rapid conversion to alternative energy sources.? These alternatives include power from coal and nuclear fuels as well as from wind, solar, and biomass.? With less than 3 percent of the world?s proved oil reserves and about 3 percent of the world?s proved natural gas reserves, and with both reserves rapidly declining, the USA is in no position ? now or ever ? to drill its way to ?energy independence? via oil and gas development. Additionally, oil and natural gas prices are determined by a variety of competing forces operating through the futures markets in New York and London, where oil and natural gas are traded like any other commodity in the global marketplace.? How much or how little drilling goes on in the USA is an insignificant factor in the global price of either oil or natural gas." > ? > ? > http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/opinions/article/ > 0,2565,ALBQ_19868_4421586,00.html > ? > The Albuquerque Tribune > ? > Letters to the Editor > > January 28, 2006 > > Solar, wind power are the way to go > > Regarding Bob Gallagher's column of Jan. 10 ("Mine the lands," Insight > & Opinion), addressing the need to lessen restrictions on the > development of unrenewable resources: > > I think he has missed the point entirely. > > He wants "the oil and gas industry to have access to energy rich land, > so our state and America can grow economically and have a reliable > supply of energy for generations to come, while protecting our > environmental qualities." > > He goes on to state, "It is important for energy consumers to know > that reducing the barrier to exploration and development on public > lands could curb rising natural gas prices." > > Could? When? To sacrifice the rules and regs that protect our public > lands, for a "could"? In favor of an entity with a track record of > environmental protection as lousy as his industry's? > > As this energy resource lessens and our usage increases, the law of > supply and demand will produce higher and higher costs. The fact is > that the fastest, cheapest most reliable way to reduce our energy > costs is to increase our reliance on renewable energy. > > Let's put our money there. . . . > > Wouldn't you love to have a reason not to curse the wind? I would. > We've got way more wind and solar power than we could ever harvest. > Ever! Why not invest our technology and development dollars in a > never-ending, clean, nonpolluting resource? No need to spend money on > "nuisance litigation" with those nasty little environmentalists, . . . > no need to go searching for pockets of hidden oil and gas, all the > while saying it is getting more and more expensive to provide as it > becomes scarcer and harder to get to. . . . > > Oil and gas production is going the way of the dinosaurs. Let's look > forward and develop a clean energy policy that takes care of our > citizens and the earth that houses us all. Solar and wind power are > the way to go. > > Sue Strebe > Guadalupita > > ? > > ? > > Dirty, costly oil is on its way out > > ?(Re: "Mine the lands," an opinion piece by Bob Gallagher published in > Insight & Opinion, Jan. 10.) > > . . . The fact is that there is not enough gas in all the West to > supply the nation for more than a few years. > > Further, the New Mexico oil and gas industry has more than 25,000 > wells already on federal lands in New Mexico - more than any other > Western state. > > More than 8,000 federal oil and gas leases are in effect in New > Mexico, covering more than 4.8 million - more federal leases and > federal acreage leased than any state except Wyoming. > > And even though the U.S. Bureau of Land Management issued more than > 1,300 drilling permits in New Mexico in 2004, the oil and gas industry > only drilled 726 new holes in the state in that year. In other words, > well over 500 drilling permits issued by the federal government went > unused by the industry. Why is this? > > The New Mexico Oil & Gas Association's assertions are inconsistent > with the facts. New Mexico is already making an enormous sacrifice, > but despite record drilling over the last five years, prices keep > going up. Why? Fossil fuel resources are running dry. The sooner we > switch to a clean energy economy, the better. > > This is a clear issue: It's a debate between new, clean and efficient > technologies and old, dirty and inefficient technologies. Are we going > to continue to poison ourselves increasingly as well as the land we > depend on? . . . > > Susanna de Falla > Albuquerque > ? > ? > Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Jan 30 16:36:06 2006 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:36:06 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] ACTION ALERT: State Legislature: SB 407 Message-ID: <48c452dd6c67c05b6868bbc81b480843@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, ? Your Urgent Support Is Needed for: Senate Bill SB 407 & House Bill HB 188 : LAND, WILDLIFE AND CLEAN ENERGY ACT ? These bills will provide permanent funding that we could use for conservation and restoration projects and wildlife management in the Valle Vidal. It also would fund clean energy programs. Contact information below. ? The first hearing for SB 407 will come before the Senate Conservation Committee on Tuesday, 1/31/06, 2:00 pm, RM 311 at the State Capital. Please make your calls TODAY! ? ? CONTACT ? Carlos R. Cisneros Chair D 986-4861 carlos.cisneros at nmlegis.gov ?Dist. 6: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba. Santa Fe, Taos Phil A. Griego Vice Chair D 986-4265 phil.griego at nmlegis.gov Dist 39: Los Alamos Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe & Taos William E. Sharer Ranking Member R 986-4381 bill at williamsharer.com Dist. 1: San Juan Ben D. Altamirano Member D 986-4733 ! NONE Dist. 28, Catron, Grant & Socorro Clinton D. Harden Member R 986-4369 charden at theosogroup.com Dist 7: Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Taos & Union Richard C. Martinez Member D 986-4389 richardc.martinez at nmlegis.gov Dist. 5: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe William H. Payne Member R 986-4276 william.payne at nmlegis.gov Dist. 20, Bernalillo John Pinto Member D 986-4835 None Dist. 3: McKinley & San Juan John C. Ryan Member R 986-4373 johnchrisryan at yahoo.com Dist. 10: Bernalillo & Sandoval NOTE: If your legislator is not one of the committee members call the Chair and Vice-chair person on the committee. Refer to the Senate Conservation member list for contact information. Tell them you want them to support SB 188.? We recommend that you call and e-mail your State Senator on the committee and call the Chairman and Vice-Chair. ? ? Background ? New Mexico is one of the few western states that does not have a comprehensive, state-funded land and wildlife conservation program.?? At present, state agencies and conservation organizations must approach the legislature every year for piecemeal, incremental funding for specific projects.? To help remedy this situation, conservation organizations have joined together as an ad hoc coalition to help create New Mexico?s first dedicated funding for conservation, wildlife, renewable clean energy. ? In 2004, the coalition was successful in passing House Joint Memorial 37, which directed the Department of Game & Fish and the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to ?conduct a study to investigate sustainable alternative funding measures to protect New Mexico?s unique landscapes, open spaces, recreation areas and wildlife habitats?.? The results of the study can be found on the NM Game & Fish Dept. web site at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation ? In 2005, the state legislature appropriated $5 million to begin a pilot land and wildlife conservation program.? To date 29 applications totaling over $14 million have been received. Of the 29 applications, 14 projects are currently being considered to be funded. ? In the 2006 legislative session the coalition has introduced house bill (HB 188 & SB 407 - The Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Conservation Act). These identical bills will provide permanent yearly funding for the several types of conservation programs ( Refer to SB ? attached) ??The source of the funding will be the existing Oil and Gas Conservation Tax, which is a .19% tax on oil and gas revenues produced in the state.? In the 2006 fiscal year it is slated to bring in approximately $19 million to the state coffers.? At present, approximately 10% of the tax goes into the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund (OGRF), with the balance to the general fund.? This bill will direct approximately $10 million per year into wildlife and renewable energy programs. For detailed outline on SB 407 please review the attached fact sheets and actual bill language. ? Action is Needed to Protect the Future of New Mexico?s Outdoor Heritage ? ? These bills will help New Mexico capture the nearly $20 million in federal matching funds for conservation that are lost each year due to a lack of state matching funds. The House Joint Memorial 34 study written by NM Game & Fish Dept., states that New Mexico can only fund about 25% of its conservation projects needs. ? ? ???????? These bills support the future of hunting, fishing, and rural communities in New Mexico. Funding will be allocated on a balanced and competitive basis among wildlife habitat improvement and trails, conservation easements to support working farms and ranches, clean energy grants and support for hunting and fishing? access and other opportunities ? ???????? Loss of Access to Hunting and Fishing Areas is the #1 Concern of New Mexico sportsmen. A recent poll of licensed hunters and anglers revealed that the loss of hunting and fishing grounds is the sportsman?s top concern in New Mexico (NMWF poll, August 2004). HB 188 will help reverse the trend of dwindling access by making funding available for the purchase of some key hunting and fishing grounds or for the purchase of access across private land? to landlocked public lands. ? ???????? Many landowners want to keep the family farm or ranch in operation, but are forced by economic circumstances to sell their land to development. Every year 40,000 acres of private lands and wildlife habitat are converted to development in New Mexico?ten percent of which is prime agricultural ground. No landowner should be forced?by a lack of economic options?to sell the family farm or ranch and see it carved up into subdivisions. HB 188 strongly supports conservation easements (also defined as the purchase of development rights), which provides a way forward for landowners who want to keep their lands in production. ? Wildlife and Outdoor Sports Are Vital to New Mexico?s Rural Economy ? ???????? Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Watching Generate $1 Billion Each Year in Direct Economy for New Mexico, and another $1 Billion is spent each year in New Mexico on camping, hiking and other outdoor sports. Much of this $2 Billion outdoor economy is essential to rural communities. Investing in this economic asset simply makes sense. The New Mexico Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act will make funds available to protect working lands, preserve access to key hunting and fishing areas, and will provide money for wildlife habitat improvements and trails through competitive bidding. ???????? Each year New Mexico loses approximately $20 million in federal matching funds for conservation projects. By supporting the New Mexico Land, Water and Clean Energy Act we are supporting the ability to capture these lost federal funds which will benefit New Mexico?s farms, ranches, wildlife, hunters, anglers and everyone who loves the great outdoors. ? For more information contact: Oscar Simpson at 505-259-5766 cell or 505-345-0117 Jeremy Vesbach at 505-264-5500 cell or 505-299-5404 ? Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html