by Ernie C’Debaca

When President Biden came into office, one of his first agenda items was implementing a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters through executive order. The impact of the president’s action is widespread across several states, one of the hardest hit being right here in New Mexico.

An unintended adverse impact of the leasing ban will be its effect on 134,000 good-paying jobs and tax revenue for education in New Mexico. As president & CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (Hispano Chamber), I find this particularly concerning as oil and … Read More >>

by Stacy M. Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., has become the new Chair of the Energy Action Alliance (EAA).

EAA was created by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2012 to bring together diverse national non-profits to help strengthen relationships between people of color communities and the natural gas and oil industry, which provides economic opportunities and reliable and affordable energy to communities across the nation.

Dr. Chavis affirmed, “I am professionally and personally committed to environmental justice and equity, and as well I am equally committed to the sustainable economic … Read More >>

by Natalie Kochanov

In the border city of Juárez, Mexico, it is not uncommon for students not to continue their education beyond middle school. Because of that harsh reality, David Chavez says, his middle and high schools offered technical programs to equip students early on with sufficient knowledge to succeed in the workforce.

“Before even going to college, I had the equivalent of two associate’s degrees,” explains Chavez, who was able to pursue his bachelor’s degree and begin working for Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY) concurrently. “By the time that I graduated, I had not only gained … Read More >>

Engineers face challenges on the job

By Patricia Guadalupe

Houston native Yvonne Trejo calls herself a problem solver, and that’s exactly what got her and her family through the deep freeze in February that left many in the dark and with no water for several days. 

​“We already had an emergency plan, since we have hurricanes around here. We stocked up on bottle water, fruits and vegetables that can last longer and we also have a small generator. All of that is what we used to hold us over during that time,” says Trejo. “Math and science are fascinating to … Read More >>

Energy Fuels Pandemic Relief

By Patricia Guadalupe

It’s been just over a year since we confronted coronavirus, which impacted all Americans and placed a stranglehold on the U.S. economy. The energy industry stepped up to combat the pandemic by donating more $100 million, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API). Latinos were often first responders, whether as nurses and doctors, or essential workers in other sectors that kept the economy going.  Companies like Phillips 66 and BP provided supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), to support their efforts and offered support in other critical areas to lend a helping … Read More >>

by Ernest Moniz

The chorus is growing louder: in addition to halting the increases in coronavirus cases, we need an energy stimulus package focused on rebuilding the economy. Job creation and infrastructure development will be key.

With unemployment filings reaching nearly 10 million, it is clear we are in the midst of an economic calamity leading to significant business closures and further job losses, despite the stimulus packages enacted by Congress to date. We need to create new jobs, protect the livelihoods of American people and ensure the future resilience of our economy

In normal times and in crisis, we … Read More >>

BY REP. KELLY FAJARDO

It has been a little over one month since President Biden officially announced a moratorium of new leases for oil and gas development on federal lands, and New Mexicans are already starting to feel the impact.

Our state, which is over one-third federal land, has uniquely benefitted from the ability of the energy industry to develop oil and gas resources on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Last year alone proceeds to New Mexico from drilling on federal land totaled $707 million – the most of any state in the country – and accounted … Read More >>

by Stacy M. Brown

The American Petroleum Institute (API) said it would support carbon pricing to help lower the country’s emissions and slow global warming.

“What we’re advocating here is a market-based approach, and that could encompass many different ways to do this,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said during a news conference Thursday.

Sommers stopped well short of endorsing President Joe Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions within 30 years.

“There’s no way it is feasible without technologies that aren’t currently in the marketplace today,” Sommers offered. “We think that the best way to do that is through … Read More >>

by Natacha Buchanan

Connection becomes critical as demographics shift in the energy industry.

Monday, I’ll be joined by three colleagues from Phillips 66 on an Oklahoma State University panel to address our experiences as Black professionals in oil and gas. We’ll talk about industry efforts to create opportunities for underrepresented minorities, especially at the senior levels.

But we’ll also talk about why it’s so important to keep talking — with each other, with people who look like us and agree with us, with people who don’t, and with anyone and everyone who has a stake in our industry’s future.

The … Read More >>

President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday picked Michael Regan, a Black man, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, continuing to honor his campaign pledge for a diverse staff and Cabinet.

If confirmed, the graduate of the historically Black North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University would be the first African American to lead the EPA.

Regan, who currently heads North Carolina’s environmental agency, also holds a master’s degree from George Washington University.

“Boom,” exclaimed Deitra Matthews, who holds an MPA in Public Policy. “An HBCU grad.”

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who hired Regan for the state job, told The Associated … Read More >>