Climate, energy, and the shifting tides in the global fossil fuel market were the key issues during Joe Biden’s first year as president. The first State of the Union address was not different.
Biden spoke of a Russian threat to the economy and domestic spending in Tuesday’s speech. This was just days after Russia invaded Ukraine.
As the nation and international communities seek to reduce pollution through new technologies and a renewed focus upon climate change, energy and environmental issues were also raised.
The speech was delivered just days after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest report, which contained the most severe warning yet on human impacts.
More:Forest Service seeks 20 year block on oil and natural gas in cave system
Like New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams State Speech of the State earlier this year at the commencement of the 2022 Legislative Session. Biden did not mention environmentalissues, possibly opting to send a more unified message and avoid the divisive discussion on climate change.
Here are the State of the Union’s top energy and environment statements, and what they might mean to New Mexico.
Russia could be cut off to fuel Permian Basin growth
And I’m taking strong action so that the pain of our sanction is targeted at Russias economic.
More:Despite opposition, nuclear waste site approved for air quality improvement in disposal panel
The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused shockwaves of disapproval throughout the globe.
Nations almost immediately They began to distance themselves form the eastern European nationVladimir Putin, leader
Russia is the second-largest oil producer in the world, producing 11 percent of the world’s oil production in 2020, or 10.5 Million barrels per day according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
More:Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s budget recommendation for 2023
Biden did not clarify whether sanctions against Russia would restrict Russia’s ability to export oil after the attacks, but analysts have already warned that this could lead to the loss of up to a third in European imports of fossil fuels.
ExxonMobil and Shell, oil giants, announced that they would be closing down their operations in Russia as a result of the terrorist attacks.
This could impact U.S. oil production. The United States is the world’s largest producer of crude oil, accounting for 20 percent of the global supply.
More:New Mexico State demands federal investigation into WIPP and other federal nuclear programs
This could result in increasedoperations already stretched by increased demand for major-producing basins like the Permian Basin, in southeast New Mexico, and West Texas.
Any disruption in supply would lead to an increase in gas prices for Americans, already high. So Biden announced an agreement between the U.S.A. and 30 countries to release 60,000,000 barrels of oil from worldwide reserves.
Biden stated that the U.S. contribution would be half of this amount and called on the U.S. Department of Energy (US) to release 30,000,000 barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
More:New Mexico’s top priorities are infrastructure and the environment.
These decisions were likely a catalyst for increased operations in the U.S. second- and first-highest producers: Texas, and New Mexico. This was in response to post-pandemic demand growth and the world’s dependence on the U.S. to make up any shortfall.
It is hoped that reducing pollution will increase energy efficiency.
By combatting climate change, families can save an average of $500 annually on their energy costs.
Biden stated that he hoped to double American renewable energy production, such as wind and sun, while also lowering the cost of electric vehicles.
He claimed that this could reduce U.S. consumer spending by up to $80 per month for motorists who will no longer have to pay at gas pumps.
New Mexico is a national leader for fossil fuel production. It ranks second in oil production and ninth in natural gasoline. However, the state’s government leaders, both at the federal and state levels, have long advocated increased renewable energy to diversify their economy.
In 2019, the governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, was elected to office. Michelle Lujan Grisham also signed the Energy Transition Act into law, which required New Mexico to shift. Up to 100 percent emission-free power by 2045
As the state sought to expand its solar and wind facilities, renewable energy installations have boomed in the years since.
More:The NM budget is being supported by oil boom, but the environmental agencies are still lacking.
Pattern Energy’s Western Spirit wind project was recently put into service. It includes four windfarms in southern New Mexico and a transmission line.
The state would get 1,050 megawatts of electricity from the project, as well as exports to California or other states.
Supporters of the effort argue that the push for energy diversity could be part the solution to New Mexico’s economic troubles. New Mexico relies on oil, gas, and other fossil fuels for more than a quarter of its state revenue.
More:New Mexico’s American Rescue Plan funds may support infrastructure and the environment.
Biden considers environmental justice a top priority
You can do it all to resist the terrible effects of climate crisis and promote environmental justice.
This comment was made during a portion that dealt primarily with economic diversity and creating jobs. But Biden’s inclusions of environmental justice had greater implications.
New Mexico activists have long held that industrial development and environmental degradation are worst for marginalized communities and Indigenous peoples.
They have been working together recently to protect the Chacon Canyon area of northwest New Mexico, which is a sacred area for the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Basin natural-gas fields.
More:New Mexico joins three other states in a bid for federal hydrogen power dollars
New Mexico’s nuclear industry was also a concern, as New Mexicans deal with the consequences of uranium mining at the northern end of the state. The future of proliferation is also being considered. Holtec International plans a facilityLujan Grisham and her cabinet members opposed the idea of holding spent nuclear fuel rods.
New Mexicans may be interested in how their future economy will be balanced with environmental justice issues, as Biden acknowledged them in his speech.
Adrian Hedden can reached at 575-628-555516 [email protected]Or @AdrianHeddenFollow us on Twitter.