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News/Opinion
 V.17 No.17 | April 24 - 30, 2008 
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The Real Side

The City Hypocritical

On oil and Santa Fe

By Jim Scarantino

As they battle the evil oil monster, opponents of energy exploration near Santa Fe drape the green cape of environmentalism around their shoulders. Underneath they wear a body stocking knit with threads of hypocrisy.

Many of the anti-oil activists live around the Galisteo Basin, the area Tecton Energy wants to explore. Rather than occupy modest quarters inside city limits where they could leave a smaller carbon footprint, many of these activists have fed the sprawl gobbling up the countryside. Starting with McMansions in the Eldorado subdivision, they’ve pushed roads and utilities into land that will never again qualify for the adjective “pristine.”

These activists didn’t oppose the residential developments into which they have moved. They didn’t fight the roads leading to their front doors. I doubt any activist has submitted reclamation plans for plots occupied by their patios and driveways. And, of course, many drilling opponents use cars, trucks and SUVs every day, including driving to protests against the oil industry.

More than real threats to the natural environment, what concerns these activists are threats to inflated property values and Santa Fe’s self-image as superior to communities where energy is produced.

Though the City Different can’t see itself as an oil and gas town, that’s what it is. Hydrocarbons power the commuters clogging St. Francis Drive. “Santa Fe style” would be misery in December without heat from natural gas. Even for the area’s few people living off the grid, their imported windmills are delivered on semis burning diesel and traveling highways sealed with oil.

They didn’t fight the roads leading to their front doors.

Oil makes Santa Fe’s tourist industry possible. Not a single tourist dollar would be spent on the Plaza if not for the petroleum and jet fuel combusted to carry visitors to northern New Mexico.

Santa Fe’s other big employer, state government, drinks heartily from oil and gas wells. About $2.6 billion of New Mexico’s $6 billion budget comes from oil and gas leases, royalties, and interest from the portion of the state’s permanent fund contributed by the industry. The oil and gas industry has created 23,000 jobs. Those workers kick in good chunks of their paychecks for Santa Fe’s public buildings and the state employees inside.

Tecton estimates 50 million to 100 million barrels of oil can be recovered from Galisteo Basin. Drilling opponents scoff, claiming this volume, even if it exists, would slake but a few days of the nation’s oil thirst. Try plugging all the gasoline pumps across America for a single day. We’d quickly understand how invaluable this “limited” resource might be.

Santa Fe could nobly refuse all petro tax dollars and demonstrate how to get by without oil from its surroundings or anywhere else. That ain’t gonna happen. Santa Fe will continue to burn oil and gas revenue, as well as hydrocarbons produced in third-world countries and less tony communities in our state.

We hear Santa Fe liberals and political progressives tout commitment to environmental justice. That ideal is mocked when the only way they share in the costs of energy production is by whipping out a credit card.

Santa Feans say they’re thinking globally about climate change. Then they should act locally in energy production. The carbon footprint of BTUs produced from our own soil is far less than a barrel of oil transported from the Middle East.

Further, the more energy we produce in America, the less we entangle ourselves in dangerous countries where we are hated. As well as increasing efficiency and promoting new technologies, “No blood for oil” means doing more to satisfy our needs from resources within our nation’s borders.

Santa Fe can set an example for responsible hydrocarbon production. Santa Fe will not be destroyed, as hyperbolic activists claim, if Tecton extracts energy from the same area that has yielded coal, turquoise, gold and silver. Concerns about polluting the aquifer are proving overblown. New technologies permit oil extraction to occur smoothly near human populations. Wildlife can thrive around pump jacks, certainly more easily than within residential subdivisions. Always, there is room for improvement. Santa Fe could lead the way.

A moratorium has halted developments. Regulations are being updated. Hopefully, Santa Fe will not rig the process to make drilling impossible and provoke a costly takings claim from Tecton. If that occurs, the rest of the state should give not one penny for Santa Fe’s defense.

Tecton pledges to employ the best technology and practices in exploring Galisteo Basin. Santa Fe should accept Tecton’s offer, then hold them to their word.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. E-mail jims@alibi.com.

Public Comments (11)
  • Real Side Reality Check  [ Thu Apr 24 2008 11:42 PM ]

    It's always fun to hear from the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (re:The Real Side, The City Hypocritical) pretending to be a regular, upstanding citizen of our Great State, which, by the way, don't you know, receives $2.6 billion a year from the O+G industry? Their "letters", always filled with slanderous, mocking comments about "wacko greens", point out just how much the state owes the industry, always with the subtext that this is the way it is and this is the way it should be, and that anyone, by dint of living here, is a hypocrite to suggest a change to this paradigm.

    Here's the fun part: most of the companies lavishing us in riches (how are YOUR local public schools faring?) are from elsewhere. Maybe they are multi-national corporations. Maybe they are just from Texas, with financial backing from multi-national corporations. They claim a sacred "right" to extract what is under our houses, to scar the land with new roads and pummel it with gigantic trucks, whether we like it or not. Who has to live with the physical results of what they do as their "right"? The people who live here. Who gets to decide whether they do it or not? The fact that residents have to raise a stink to get their opinions noticed will tell you the answer to that one.

    Our laws and political process are skewed in favor of corporations, fictional paper creations behind which real people can hide, avoiding responsibility for just about any harm they may commit and reaping tremendous profit in the case of the O+G industry. Oh, yes, the most profitable industry in the history of the world complains about the slightest tightening of regulations (pit rules) while making record profits year after year. Gas prices go up another 20 cents, while the CEO's pay goes up another 20 million dollars. But when something goes wrong, when a well blows or a pipeline leaks, the corporation is like a greased pig, slipping through the holes in our regulation like so many drops of motor oil from a bumper-stickered old Volkswagen.

    Such is the paradigm as it stands now. NMOGA would like it to stay that way. But a lot of us hypocrites are fed up with the feeling that we are not the ones making important decisions that affect the places we live. We begin the difficult task of changing the world so that we don't have to be hypocrites, so that we have REAL choices when it comes to energy, not just "oil from here" or "oil from there". We will start by taking real control of local government. Look out, corporations. As Leonard Cohen sang, "Democracy is comin' to the U.S.A."

  • Doing it right-- bring it on  [ Fri Apr 25 2008 2:06 PM ]

    Dear Mr Scarantino,

    You fail to mention the 3 main issues, unconventional oil/gas exploitation in the poorest reservoir quality with the highest risk (NOT like the Permian or San Juan Basins), water usage and highest density of archeological sites in the country. If demanding that the appropriate studies are completed for informed decision making prior to any exploration is your definition of “hypocritical” than bring it on. Any commercial or private development that has taken place in this area over the years was/is required to do the stringent environmental studies; why should the oil/gas industry be exempt from such studies? There can be no “best practices” by the oil/gas industry without these stringent studies. Surely you want all New Mexicans in this great state to “do it right”?

    Best,

    Betsy Siwula Brandt

    Former Geophysicist

  • Certainly the oil and gas people don't lie. Look at how well they paid up on Valdese Oil Spill  [ Sat Apr 26 2008 10:59 AM ]

    Traditionally we have all seen the negative impact from oil and gas drilling which affects not only the immediate above ground area, but the aquifer below ground to a larger extent. It is in our best interest to protect ourselves for the long-term and carefully weigh all the impacts of our actions. At this time, when we are looking to replace oil and gas with alternative energies, it does not make sense to continue allowing production in new areas.

    It is more important for our survival to protect our water, air and surroundings than it is to allow our environment to be endangered. It is the primary mandate of government to protect the people it represents. Today that protection is interpreted to mean the protection other species of plants and animals that are interdependent in our environment because we also depend upon them for our survival. We have to make major efforts to restore our environment. We can not afford mistakes or negative impacts which affect us all.

    We have synthetic oils, fuels and lubricants, and there are more products coming on the market every week. Placing a hold on gas and oil exploration will help to naturally turn the free market to support alternatives without government assistance. This approach saves the government the expense of cleaning up the oil and gas pollution above and below ground many decades after they leave, as well as helping to promote alternative energies without government funding. Win! Win!

    The Oil and Gas Industry should already be investing in alternatives, and it is not the place of government to protect oil and gas especially to the determent of all life. Exercising mineral rights or mineral leases should not be the right to destroy others resources. Nor should it give an entity the right to endanger health, increase costs for infrastructure (i.e., roads or community services), pollute or damage water sources, to ruin archaeology sites, to harm local economies, to pollute the environment, to damage private and public property, and to harm wildlife.

    To drill is asking for great sacrifices from a community for a commercial enterprise not committed to benefiting the long term viability of that community and will not recuperate the current or future expenses incurred.

    How much does it cost to supply water from other sources after local sources are not available?

    How much does it cost for healthcare from increased carcinogens that are brought in by unregulated drilling practices?

    Who does not wish for cheaper cleaner energy sources while trying to get away from oil? Supporting alternatives brings them to us sooner.

    Can we afford to not become leaders in alternative energy production, and can we afford to not promote it as a source of economic development for our workforce?

    We, the residents, are calling for protection and adherence to safety to protect our lives while joining efforts to restore the health of our planet.

  • way off base with assumptions  [ Sun Apr 27 2008 8:44 PM ]

    The previous comments did a good job at arguing the major issues presented in this op-ed. I’d like to address one of the more minor issues: the assumption that we’re a bunch of wealthy hypocrites driving to town everyday in our Hummers. WRONG! I live 2/10th’s of a mile from one of the proposed wells, in a modest home without many of the “modern conveniences” most of you take for granted. My home is heated with passive solar and a wood stove. No air conditioning of either kind (other than windows). No dryer (too much sun here for that appliance). No dishwasher. I drive 3 miles to work. I combine all trips into Santa Fe (about 30 miles away) so that I drive in minimally. When we drive to the oil/gas protests, I car-pool with my neighbors. I fly about once every five years. My carbon footprint is minimal. And I believe that I’m part of the majority. Many of the people I know here in the “hot-spots” work from home and drive energy efficient cars.

    So, since I don’t see myself as a hypocrite in any way, shape or form, am I allowed to protest?

    One more thing: “More than real threats to the natural environment, what concerns these activists are threats to inflated property values and Santa Fe’s self-image as superior to communities where energy is produced.” I’d be interested to know who you’ve been speaking to in order to come to this conclusion. Knowing many of the core people involved in this fight, I would say you’re 180% off course.

    C. Roper

    Cerrillos

  • Specious logic  [ Mon Apr 28 2008 9:23 AM ]

    Scarantino's loudmouth-at-the-bar argument seems to be: If you consume oil, you have no right to complain about how oil is dredged up, even if it's in your back yard. That's like saying you can't criticize capitalism unless you personally come up with the perfect replacement system we can all adopt. It's specious and argumentative, not to mention dumb.

    High gas prices are GOOD for us. Mass transit ridership is up, real estate prices in city centers are going up and suburban home prices are falling--people are finally questioning the drive-all-the-time lives they've built because it's hitting them in the pocketbook. Leave that oil where it is. We need more oil scarcity, not less.

    Scarantino also dodges the whole mineral rights issue. You think you own your property? Just wait until someone wants what's underneath it.

    And one final complaint: "Santa Fe should accept Tecton’s offer, then hold them to their word." In a perfect world, maybe. In the real world, holding a company to its word can be a difficult and costly process requiring lawsuits, hearings and political action--and the burden of proof is NOT on the company, it's on the citizen.

  • Is The Alibi a Dinosaur?  [ Mon Apr 28 2008 12:11 PM ]

    I am writing in response to Jim Scarantino's pitiful right wing attack on the citizens of the Galisteo Basin, " The Real Side, The City Hypocritical," April 24, 2008. In this desperate move to justify oil exploration within a watershed that serves more than 15,000 people, Mr. Scarantino calls [us] hypocrites and talks about us as "Many of the anti-oil activists live around the Galisteo Basin." I have to first pose the question - how many people have you actually spoken with and how many homes did you actually visit? Personally, not unlike many in my neighborhood of the foot hills of the Ortiz Mountains, I designed and built my own solar heated home. I hand built the 10,000 gallons of water catch systems in my yard. I buy my electricity from PNM's wind energy program and pay a higher rate for it. Many people out here work at home - as I and my wife do, so we do not commute.

    I have to wonder, as Tecton has it's eyes on the Albuquerque area of the Rio Grande, will Mr. Scarantino invite them to place an exploration rig in his back yard? What if we put his water at risk? He believes it is risk free and yet there is not one frack drilling operation to date with a clean record, anywhere in the world, only Tecton's claim that "now it is safe." Furthermore, the most oil that [may] be here, according to Tecton, is a 2-4 day supply for the US, which would be extracted over a 25 to 40 year operation! That is about 1/10th of a day for the US each year. In his mind that is worth risking [OUR] lives, our health, the watershed, the environment and the impact of noise and other pollution on Santa Fe County and property values. Many of us who [do] still own our SUV's and live out here in so called "MacMansions" which we built ourselves are somewhat stuck with automobiles that devalued since 2001 to the point in which we just have to use them up to get our return. Personally, I can not afford a new car or even a 'new' used car. Quite typically you are attacking US citizens instead of looking inward to your own life, Mr. Scarantino and your typical right wing rant exposes your anger at not being able to control your own life, your own circumstances and justify your own discomfort with the changes that may be confronting your comfort level.

    Petrochemicals have a limited future. The few Rocky Mountain region frack drilling operations all tolled will have less than a month's impact on the US oil future, yet could make a few individuals "filthy rich" according to Tecton. In the process we will put many things at stake. After 2030-2055, after the oil and gas, after any spills and contamination, after all the damage may have been done, the land will remain here, tourism will remain here, and people will remain here. But how much will have been forever lost because of selfish, gimme gimme attitudes like those of Jim Scarantino? Will his grand children stand here and say "It was worth it..?"

    In short time, The Alibi and Mr. Scarantino will have to answer to the many advertisers and readers whom are themselves trying to move to a more "green" market, a more "green" lifestyle. Should the Alibi continue with such writing, such archaic thinking, it, like oil and gas, will have to submit to becoming a dinosaur of sorts. As a citizen of The Galisteo Basin, I implore the Alibi to support writers and ideas that can move us forward into a bright future and away from this dark mindedness.

  • Seems like Scarantino pissed some people off.  [ Mon Apr 28 2008 8:48 PM ]

    Did he hit the nail on the head? People get pissed about their property values. No spin necessary or expected. True in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Borneo.

  • Real Narrow Vision  [ Tue Apr 29 2008 10:44 AM ]

    The Jim Scarantino article calling the opponents of O&G in Santa Fe hypocrites is short sited. Opposing O&G is not about keeping the world “pristine” or about property values. Roads have always been made one way or another to homes or hunting grounds, across praires, thru forests and cities. It is not about the roads, it’s about having clean air & water in the long term, and that can only be done if we stop drilling for oil and gas and start developing renewable sources of energy that support sustaineable lifestyles. Those who oppose O&G do foresee that lifestyles will likely have to change, unless new technologies develop quickly. But jobs can be created from any technology. It doesn’t have to be O&G. Of course trucks have to ship in solar collectors and wind mills if those are the choice alternatives, but a few trucks shipping a limited amount of products is nothing compared to the ongoing and endless supply of gasoline demanded and the eternal effects of the pollutants from their use. If all the further one can see is the current status quo, they is no vision and no hope for a better life, a life that doesn’t pollute itself out of existence.

    If enough residents proclaim their desire to not have O&G drilling in their communities that is our/their right; the government derives its power from the people. The entire basis of our proclaimed freedom is based on self-governance, not on the will of the powerful few industries making the rules so they can make even more money to lord it over the many.

  • Ranchette  [ Tue Apr 29 2008 3:00 PM ]

    I do not agree with Mr. Scarantino that Tecton should be allowed to rip up the Galisteo basin more than it already has been. Where I do agree with him is that the residents of these rural areas do not seem to want to admit that living far from town on 4 acre ranchettes IS detrimental to the environment right out their backdoor. Despite solar panels and rain water capture, the land had to be destroyed to build the roads from highway to houses effecting natural erosion which effects plant life which effects animal life so on and so on. Land untouched by humans (at all) is better. Period.

  • Mr. Scarantino, I think you missed the real story  [ Tue Apr 29 2008 8:23 PM ]

    The real story here is not about oil drilling. It is about the democratic process. It is about the ability for local citizens, who are not activist or lobbyist, to have a voice in the future direction of their own neighborhoods. This story is not about liberals, or conservatives or "tree huggers". It is about you and me having the right to say "no" to industry, what ever that industry might be, when industry wants to exploit the resources in our very own backyards. It is about local citizens coming together and demanding that we must be fairly represented when it comes to the taking of our own private property, or the threatening of our water system or the permanent impact on our way of life. It is the most patriotic action a citizen can take. Our country was founded by citizens demanding to be heard and represented fairly. We do not want to lose those roots.

    You are right. Many of us are concerned about our property values. Shouldn't we be? I am not an activist. Nor are my neighbors activist. I'm just an average person demanding that my rights as a surface property owner be equally considered in this debate. Don't forget, we are talking about strangers coming into our yards and setting up industry without us receiving any direct compensation for the trouble, or having any say in the process. The citizens of the 13 colonies would have fought against the King of England for such an action – we are not unlike our fathers before us.

    Don't forget how important the democratic process is in the health of our nation. It is our nations heartbeat. Let us not lose sight of what this debate is really about. It has little to do with oil and everything to do with the rights of everyday ordinary people fighting for their rights- the pursuit of happiness and fair and equal representation. Oil just happens to be the vehicle that brought here.

  • Mr. Scarantino, I think you missed the real story   [ Tue Apr 29 2008 8:31 PM ]

    The real story here is not about oil drilling. It is about the democratic process. It is about the ability for local citizens, who are not activist or lobbyist, to have a voice in the future direction of their own neighborhoods. This story is not about liberals, or conservatives or "tree huggers". It is about you and me having the right to say "no" to industry, what ever that industry might be, when industry wants to exploit the resources in our very own backyards. It is about local citizens coming together and demanding that we must be fairly represented when it comes to the taking of our own private property, or the threatening of our water system or the permanent impact on our way of life. It is the most patriotic action a citizen can take. Our country was founded by citizens demanding to be heard and represented fairly.

    You are right. I am concerned about my property value, as well as access to safe water. I say we all should be concerned about these things. For many of us it is all we have. I am not an activist. Nor are my neighbors activist. I'm just an average person demanding that my rights as a surface property owner be equally considered in this debate. Don't forget, we are talking about strangers coming into our yards and setting up industry without us receiving any direct compensation for the trouble, or having any say in the process. The citizens of the 13 colonies would have fought against the King of England for such an action – we are not unlike our fathers before us.

    Don't forget how important the democratic process is in the health of our nation. It is our nations heartbeat. Let us not lose sight of what this debate is really about. It has little to do with oil and everything to do with the rights of everyday ordinary people fighting for their rights- the pursuit of happiness and fair and equal representation. Oil just happens to be the vehicle that brought us here.

 
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