Alamogordo Republican Rep. Terry Marquardt is promoting the devlopment of a state-owned power plantfired by natural gas from a large, untapped reserve in Otero County.
He said the plantand the gas drilling to supply itwould create new jobs and would give New Mexicans reliable, affordable power.
Natural gas to run the electric plant would come from so-far-undeveloped reserves on Otero Mesa. The area has become a key battleground between environmentalists and the oil and gas industry. The Bureau of Land Management is considering allowing some gas drilling there, but with restrictions.
Industry officials say the restrictions would block development. Environmentalists say the restrictions do not go far enough to protect the fragile Chihuanhuan Desert grasslands and important wildlife habitat on the mesa.
"He wants to sacrifice yet another part of our natural heritage, the Otero Mesa area, that has great ecological value to build a power plant," he said.
Marquardt disagreed.
I'm not sure what kind of ecosystem exists in the middle of the New Mexico desert, but Im in favor of compatible development, as well as taking care of the aesthetic beauty of New Mexico.
Stephen Capra, spokesman for the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, said "Marquardt's bill is irresponsible at best."
Adapted from an
article in the Albuquerque Journal 2-5-2002.