WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) issued the following statement today welcoming President Obama to Southeast N.M. where he will be highlighting an "all of the above" energy strategy:
"I welcome President Obama to New Mexico on his trip to get a first-hand look at the revival of Permian Basin oil production as part of his ‘all of the above' energy tour. He picked a good spot because oil production in New Mexico is at a 12-year-high, thanks to new methods and technology, and the U.S. is setting all-time drilling activity records, reducing our dependence on foreign oil for the first time in decades. I urge the President to continue encouraging responsible domestic oil and gas production, while also moving forward on fuel economy standards and alternative energy sources to build a long-term energy security foundation for our economy.
"New Mexico is a model for the nation with simultaneous development of oil and gas, nuclear, solar, wind and advanced biofuel energy. Southeast New Mexico in particular is also setting a positive example with conservation efforts associated with oil and gas production like the Restore New Mexico program and Candidate Conservation Agreements to preserve our Western landscapes and endangered species. I trust the President was impressed by, what I like to call, the ‘do it all, do it right' spirit of the New Mexico energy economy, and the people of Southeast New Mexico should be proud he chose to visit today."
