Mike Smith

Artesia Daily Press

msmith@currentargus.com

Mayoral candidates Jeff Youtsey and Terry Todd took questions from the general public during two candidate forums Thursday sponsored by The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and KSVP radio.

The first forum was held Thursday afternoon at the Artesia Country Club. The second was Thursday evening at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center.

Questions were submitted on the KSVP website and read to the candidates.

Todd is 64 years old and is a former law enforcement official.

Youtsey is 61 years old and is the current mayor pro tem and a city councilor.

Both men are looking to replace outgoing Mayor Jon Henry during the March 3 municipal elections.

Henry decided not to run for a second term.

Check in with artesianews.com and the Feb. 26^th edition of the Artesia Daily Press for a complete recap of the forum.

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Presidents Day was a school holiday and the time off gave 17-year-old Artesia High School student Charles Moreau a perfect opportunity to show his patriotism.

Instead of staying home or just hanging out with friends on the Feb. 16 federal holiday honoring U.S. presidents, Moreau and some fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 228 were busy completing a patriotic community service project on the sidewalks near the Derrick Floor in downtown Artesia.

“We had originally set Saturday (Feb. 14), but we had a scheduling conflict and felt it was kind of perfect that it landed on Presidents Day,” he said.

Moreau said the completed project would help him become an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement for the Boy Scouts of America.

Charles along with his father, Artesia City Councilor Jarrod Moreau, and others from the scout troop were drilling holes in the concrete and placing plastic pipe to serve as flag holders for display on federal holidays in Artesia. Charles said there would be 25 flags flying around the Derrick Floor on certain holidays.

Scoutmaster Jeremy Kern said the Derrick Floor is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Artesia.

“Charles envisioned a dignified and permanent downtown flag display that could be showcased on patriotic holidays and special events,” Kern said. “Charles’ idea to place permanent flag holders at the Derrick Floor came about in large part because of his deep patriotism and his love for Artesia.”

Kern said Eagle Scout projects require approval and consideration, including a review committee from Troop 228.

“Over the years, Troop 228 has partnered with the city of Artesia on several Eagle Scout projects,” the scoutmaster said, adding that Moreau “looked for a way to enhance a place that means so much to our community. From there, he approached Artesia MainStreet and then made a formal presentation to the Artesia City Council to secure permission for installation.”

Luke Burns, spokesperson for the city of Artesia, said the City Council approved Moreau’s project during a special meeting on Dec. 15 of last year.

Kern said Moreau also met with the Artesia Downtown Lions Club, the service organization that traditionally places flags along Main Street for patriotic holidays.

“An agreement was reached between the Lions Club and Troop 228 to work together in setting the flags on appropriate occasions,” Kern said.

Moreau also organized fundraising efforts to procure building materials and using local businesses for the work, Kern said.

As a sixth-generation Artesian, Moreau said, the project was special for him.

“I wanted this project to display that pride we have in both ourselves as a city and as being true Americans and following the American Dream and building that idea,” he said.

Charles’ mother, Artesia real estate broker Tabatha Moreau, was on hand offering support.

“I am so proud of him, not only seeing this project through and the patriotism that it expresses but to see him accomplish the goal of earning his Eagle (merit badge),” she said. “He has been on this path ever since he was a Cub Scout.”

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

Restrictions on air emissions from oil and gas drilling will not become law in New Mexico this year.

The New Mexico Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 11, voted down Senate Bill 18, known as the Clear Horizons Act, which would have made law a series of greenhouse gas reduction goals set via a 2019 executive order signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Despite being approved by the Senate Conservation and Senate Tax Business and Transportation committees in the early days of the ongoing 30-day legislative session, SB 18 was defeated on the Senate floor, 23-19.

Seven Democrats sided with all Republicans in the chamber to vote down the bill after hours of debate.

If passed, the bill would have required by law that industries throughout the state reduce emissions by 45% by 2030, 75% by 2040 and completely by 2050, based on 2005 levels.

The state’s Environmental Improvement board would have been tasked with creating a statewide emissions reduction plan, establishing more stringent monitoring rules and creating requirements to reduce emissions at all facilities that produce 10,000 or more metric tons per year.

All told, the bill would have cost the state an estimated $17 million a year to enact in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028, and $34 million over the next three years, according to an analysis published by the Legislative Finance Committee.

Fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30 of each year, named for the year they end in.

The financial cost of carrying out the bill would have been small compared to the economic harm opponents of SB 18 said it would have on New Mexico, namely its oil and gas industry.

New Mexico is the second-highest producer of crude oil in the U.S., following only Texas which shares the Permian Basin – an 86,000-square mile oil and gas deposit that stretches from rural southeast New Mexico to West Texas cities such as Midland and Odessa.

And the industry is a key economic driver to the state, providing about $13.26 billion in revenue in FY 2025, according to the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association – about half of the state’s operating budget.

The Association, which functions as a lobbyist group for industry interests during the state’s annual legislative sessions and throughout the year, frequently publicized data it said showed the harmful effects of SB 18 as the bill moved through the Legislature.

By 2030, the association estimated, SB 18 would cost $740 million in state revenue, then $3 billion by 2040 and $5.1 billion by 2050, based on the higher cost of compliance the group said oil and gas companies would be forced to pay if the bill became law, according to a Feb. 6 report.

But SB 18 sponsor Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-17), who introduced similar legislation that was also defeated in last year’s session, said after the vote that air pollution led to higher insurance and emergency response costs associated with related disasters such as wildfires, leading to a greater economic impact than reductions in oil production.

“The Clear Horizons Act offered a responsible, transparent plan to reduce those risks and protect families over the long term,” she said. “While today’s vote is disappointing, the need for planning ahead has not gone away.”

Missi Currier, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, did not comment on the economic impacts of pollution or extreme weather events, but said SB 18 would impede the state’s economy.

“Legislators rightly rejected a framework that numerous experts and industry leaders warned would threaten those essential revenues and drive up costs for households already facing economic pressure,” Currier said.

She said the oil and gas industry was already addressing its environmental impact through market-driven solutions, and working closely with state officials to devise regulations that balance New Mexico’s economic needs with environmental protections.

“Our industry remains committed to reducing emissions, embracing innovation, and advancing responsible energy development,” Currier said. “We will continue working collaboratively with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders on practical, science‑based solutions — ones that protect both our environment and New Mexico’s economic future.”

Environmental groups chided lawmakers for failing to enact legislation supporters said was critical to mitigate impacts of air pollution in New Mexico, and the aridification of the state brought on by the resulting global warming.

“New Mexicans want leadership that plans ahead, protects families from rising costs, and holds major polluters accountable,” said Demis Foster, chief executive officer of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “We stand with the New Mexican families impacted by wildfires, floods, heat, and rising utility costs in pushing for a better future.”

Republicans maintained that their votes against the bill reflected widespread opposition, specifically from oil and gas communities such as Carlsbad and Hobbs in the state’s southeast corner.

“We are proud to stand united in our fierce opposition to radical and damaging policies like Senate Bill 18 that seek to destroy our state’s lifeline: our vital industries and businesses,” read a statement from the New Mexico Senate Republican Caucus.

“We must restore common sense to the Roundhouse; it is imperative that state lawmakers prioritize policies aimed towards addressing our state’s real issues.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.