The new democrat governor elect in New Mexico doesn't sound too promising for oil and gas, but the new land commissioner elect there sounds down right scary for the energy sector.
POSITIONS
Garcia Richard has no previous environmental, energy or land management experience, but her antagonistic stance toward the oil and gas industry secured critical progressive endorsements from the Sierra Club, Conservation Voters of New Mexico, and “Frack Free Four Corners” group. She repeatedly voiced opposition to hydraulic fracturing on state lands on the campaign trail and opposes leasing in the Chaco Canyon area. Garcia Richard has consistently accused the oil and gas industry of “failing to pay its fair share” and pledged to increase royalty rates.
Her campaign platform mostly focused on incentivizing the expansion of the renewable energy industry and opposing the oil and gas industry. The centerpiece of her campaign was to “leverage the mandate of state land office to restore transparency and make more money for our schools, hospitals, and colleges.” She has also repeatedly promised to “end the backroom deals that allow [the oil and gas industry] to pollute our lands, waste our water, and pay less than Texas.”