Democrat Diane Denish and Republican Susana Martinez submitted the following responses to questions about environmental issues facing New Mexico:


Question: New Mexico's economic future and ecological vitality are dependent on water resources. As governor, what actions would you promote for securing New Mexico's water resources for the future in light of climate change, competition for those resources within and outside the state, and the legal restrictions imposed by the state's water laws?

Denish: While my opponent has said she doubts climate change is happening, I believe the sound science behind climate change and understand the importance of addressing it. Under the projected conditions created by global climate change, we are facing a future with even more limits on our already scarce water resources. As governor, I will provide the leadership to coordinate our state and communities' efforts to conserve water and plan for the future with the best science and technology our world class research universities and national labs can provide.

First we must complete a comprehensive inventory of all our water resources, both surface and ground. This is necessary for knowing what we have so we can live within our means. It is also vital for protecting our water resources from out-of-state entities who want to take it from us.

Second we must improve the conditions of our watersheds to mitigate erosion and evaporation from our forests. Soil and waters are the true treasures of New Mexico and by implementing the best science available we can retain more water even though precipitation may decline.

We must work together with federal managers and private property owners to assure a landscape that makes the most of every drop of water that touches New Mexico. Native Americans, ranchers, farmers, communities and conservationists must all be a part of the solution to sustain our water future.

Martinez: As governor, I would continue to have the Blue Ribbon Water Task Force, which began under Gov. Gary Johnson. I believe this group has been an effective sounding board on water issues.

To make important decisions regarding water we need to bring all of the stake-holders to the table to make sound, evidence-based, practical decisions. Too often during this last administration, decisions have been made to reward political favor or special interest groups.


Question: Two years ago, the Oil Conservation Division approved a new "pit rule" governing disposal of waste from oil and gas production. The OCD believes the rule has prevented contamination of groundwater. The oil industry has said the pit rule puts an additional financial burden on producers. Would you leave the pit rule as it is currently written or would you prefer to see it amended or eliminated? If it is amended, what changes do you want to see in the rule and why?

Denish: I grew up in the southeastern corner of the state and I recognize the importance of the oil and gas industry to our economy.

My approach to the Pit Rule is rooted in my experience living in both the Permian and San Juan basins. I know one size does not fit all when it comes to rulemaking. There are differences in how natural gas and oil are drilled in addition to wide differences in geology, topography and varied depths of water tables throughout New Mexico. That's why I support revisiting the Pit Rule to make sure it is being fairly applied. I am very open to continued conversation with industry and environmental interests on this issue.

No one — neither the industry nor the public — wants to spoil our scarce water resources. That's why I support industry incentives for adopting better environmental techniques such as a closed-loop system and making sure regulations are not one-size-fits-all. I want to also encourage industry and the Oil Conservation Division to continue to work together in the ongoing pit-rule task force to clarify the rule's requirements. In particular I want to encourage all parties to utilize the exception process in the pit rule, which may allow for cost-effective alternatives to the rule's prescribed requirements.

Finally, we must provide fairness and predictability in our regulation and permitting processes. That's why I have supported adoption of the Administrative Procedures Act to set a prescribed and transparent process for rulemaking.

Martinez: I will work to repeal and replace Pit Rule 17. This scientifically unnecessary regulation imposes an additional cost of up to $250,000 per well in New Mexico. New Mexico was the only state in the nation to see a drop in gas production last year, as businesses fled to other states.

I am in favor of sound, science-based regulations that protect our environment, while balancing any burdens they impose on our vital energy industry. New regulations must also have an economic impact analysis conducted prior to implementation to ensure that they will not do more harm than good to the state. However, the Richardson/Denish Administration has put our energy sector at significant risk with unnecessary and burdensome regulations. We can be mindful of our environment and resources, but equally as diligent about creating opportunities for small businesses and job creation.


Question: Do you agree or disagree with the state Environment Department's effort to create a green house gas emissions rule that will regulate the production of CO2 emissions?

Denish: I am on record opposing this rule as it is currently proposed. I believe we must work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have proposed economic incentives to do that. I believe there must be a level playing field and that any emissions cap must be done on a national or global scale to be effective.

Martinez: I absolutely oppose cap-and-trade legislation. The Richardson/Denish Administration has long been proponents of a regional cap-and-trade agreement that would impose a new energy tax on businesses and families in New Mexico. But even neighboring states like Arizona and Utah who would be part of the regional agreement have already signaled their intention to not participate. New Mexico would again position itself as anti-business. Regulations must balance economic interests with environmental. We can have a balanced approach to our environment and economic growth. Furthermore, I believe that if any regulations are imposed, they must be based on sound science and not on favors to political insiders.


Question: What actions or policies would you support to increase alternative energy production in New Mexico?

Denish: New Mexico is extremely well positioned to become a leader in the alternative energy industry in both energy production, in equipment manufacturing and research and development. I am a strong proponent of growing our alternative energy industry in New Mexico. But even though we have many natural advantages it will still take a lot of work to make this dream grow here.

We need to establish clear renewable energy corridors so that potential investors are certain they can move their energy produced here to market. That means a large investment in renewable energy transmission infrastructure.

We need to partner with our neighboring states to establish guidelines for routes and financing mechanisms to make construction a possibility in the near future.

We must also work with the existing energy industry to build partnerships between the new and established industries. The alternative energy industry has great potential we just need to continue our strong commitment to developing the technology and workforce here to implement a clean-energy future.

Martinez: New Mexico is blessed with a diverse array of natural resources, which will fuel the next generation of energy production. We have wind, solar and natural gas resources that can provide a bridge to the future.

But we must always keep in mind that government mandates imposing standards are costs that will be passed onto consumers and businesses that purchase goods and services.

The goal of more power generation through renewable or alternative fuels is a worthy endeavor and should be aggressively pursued, but I believe that incentives — rather than mandates — are the best way to encourage the energy industry to innovate and create competitive alternative fuel technologies without leaving consumers with significantly higher utility bills.


Question: New Mexico state government revenues are highly dependent on the success of oil and gas production, a resource with a finite supply. What new source of revenues would you propose that could shift the state away from dependence on fossil fuel revenues?

Denish: As governor I will continue the push to diversify our economy by attracting private enterprises to New Mexico and developing an economic climate that fosters startups. The alternative energy industry is one example of these new industries, but we also are poised to create a strong hi-tech manufacturing sector in aerospace, electronics, and a variety of other industries that will allow us to take advantage of the hi tech environment we are fostering.

Martinez: New Mexico has a significant opportunity to position itself as a leader in the energy sector. We have wind power, solar power and geo-thermal technology being explored right here. There is also enormous potential for clean and safe nuclear power. I believe there should be incentives to grow all of these sources and compete with our traditional energy sources. The more diverse our energy portfolio, the stronger we will be as a state and nation.


Question: The adjudication of water rights is considered vital to resolving conflicts over water in the state but is expensive and time consuming. Less than a fourth of the water rights in the state have been adjudicated. What do you think needs to be done, if anything, to address this situation? What actions would you advocate for as governor to move adjudications forward more quickly?

Denish: Protecting our water is a critical issue for New Mexico and needs leadership directly from the governor's office. As governor I will focus state efforts on expediting the adjudication process so our water is accounted for before we face an out-of-state challenge to our water rights. To that end I will direct the state engineer to work with the courts to streamline the adjudication process while protecting our existing water users. This must be done to provide security and stability to the private property owners of water rights in New Mexico. I will also move to coordinate our regional water plans to balance all of New Mexico 's water uses and address all the demands on the resource.

Martinez: As governor, I would insist that the courts uphold the rule of law, and all adjudications were based on sound legal doctrine and not legislating from the bench. In addition, I will work to maintain open lines of communication with communities to ensure they are well informed concerning the process and any developments.


Question: Where do you stand on the controversy over the gray wolf reintroduction program in the Gila National Forest and surrounding area? What do you think should be done to resolve the conflicts there between ranchers, the Game and Fish Department and wolf advocates?

Denish: I support the reintroduction program. However, I do believe the reintroduction program must be well-managed and mindful of the concerns of farmers and ranchers. That means appropriate safety and livestock reimbursement measures to mitigate any adverse impacts from reintroduction.

Martinez: I have heard from many people in those areas who say that the wolf has been a major problem for ranchers and the community since reintroduction was started in the late 1990s. A clear example of the effect on communities is that cages are necessary at the bus stops to protect children as they wait to go to school.

Furthermore, when a rancher loses livestock due to a wolf kill neither the federal government nor state government compensates that rancher for their loss of livestock without a nearly impossible burden of proof. When we have neighboring states such as Colorado that compensate ranchers for their lost livestock, it is no wonder that our citizens ask for a more practical system that respects their property rights. We must find an equitable and fair solution to this problem, and at the very least we must compensate our hard-working ranch families for the loss of their livelihood.


Question: What would be your administration's environmental priorities during your term?

Denish: I will focus on securing our water and lands for future generations. All our dreams and hopes for our state will be unattainable if we lose control of our water and fail to protect our lands.

Martinez: New Mexico has a significant opportunity to position itself as a leader in the energy sector. The more diverse our energy portfolio, the stronger we will be as a state and nation. New Mexico is 2nd in the nation in natural gas production and 6th in oil production in the lower 48 states. We also have substantial, additional resources, including wind, solar and our mineral assets that are part of our strategic economic future. The Richardson/Denish Administration has put these sectors at significant risk with unnecessary and burdensome regulations and the closing of lands to mineral exploration, which chase away jobs and businesses to other states. We can be mindful of our environment and resources, but equally as diligent about creating business and job opportunities.