2023-08-30-未来能源研究所-联邦政府的努力能帮助新墨西哥州的石油和天然气社区建立经济韧性吗_26页_11mb

Can Federal Efforts Help Build Economic Resilience in New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Communities?
Daniel Raimi and Zach Whitlock, Report 23-11, August 2023

Introduction

• New Mexico plays a significant role in US oil and gas production (13% oil, 6% gas). While attention has focused on coal-dependent communities, the oil and gas sector's economic impact requires resilience planning.
• Federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act are beginning to target support, but more sustained engagement and capacity-building are needed.

Background

• History: Oil and gas development has defined New Mexico's economy for generations, with hubs in the San Juan and Permian Basins. Indigenous tribes face historical environmental burdens.
• Economic Importance: The industry generates significant state revenue (e.g., $2.5B federal royalties in 2022) and employment, particularly high-paying jobs.
• State Efforts: New Mexico passed the Energy Transition Act (2018) and allocated $100M for transition (2023), though some initiatives faced opposition.
• Federal Efforts: The Interagency Working Group established a Four Corners Rapid Response Team for the San Juan Basin and funds are available for orphan well remediation and clean energy deployment.

Methods

• Conducted 12 semistructured interviews (plus one virtual meeting) in March 2023 across the San Juan and Permian Basins and Albuquerque with diverse stakeholders (local gov, tribes, industry, environmental groups, labor).
• Avoided charged terminology, focusing on "economic resilience."
• Sought understanding of stakeholders' views on federal support for resilience, current policies, and challenges.

Key Findings

1. Disparities Between Basins: San Juan faces an immediate economic crisis due to declining coal, gas, and some oil, while Permian is booming. Federal support needs differ.
2. Supportive Stance: Despite skepticism towards rapid energy transition, most stakeholders are receptive to federal support for economic diversification.
3. Barriers to Federal Access: Administrative capacity (grant writing, reporting) is a major hurdle for local governments, tribes, and economic development practitioners. Capacity-building required.
4. Economic Diversification Challenges: Unclear which sectors (e.g., wind/solar less likely to replace high-wage jobs; blue hydrogen, carbon capture, geothermal, helium seen as potential) best match regional prospects. More research and local leadership needed.
5. Barrier to Development: Complex regulations and permitting challenges on federal lands hinder diversification efforts (Permian particularly notes this).
6. Need for Resilient Infra: Broadband, transportation, healthcare need investment, especially if oil/gas decline.
7. Importance of Alignment: Effective federal intervention requires understanding and alignment with local priorities.

Conclusion
Building economic resilience requires navigating deep divisions often between federal, state, tribal, industry, labor, and environmental groups. Success demands:

1. Proactive Engagement: Early, substantial, sustained community dialogue to define local priorities.
2. Strengthened Local Capacity: Support (funding, training, simplified processes) for tribes and localities to access federal resources.
3. Likely Need for Bipartisan Support: Progress requires negotiation across diverse interests.