KNOW THE VALUE - NEW MEXICO
NEW MEXICO | 2026
The Know the Value campaign in New Mexico is a fact-based public education and advocacy initiative led by Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) to connect energy development to the everyday economy and quality of life across the state. Adapted from the successful Colorado program, the campaign highlighted how oil and natural gas supported New Mexico’s core industries - tourism, healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging sectors - while funding public services, strengthening household affordability, and sustaining jobs in both urban and rural communities. Through localized storytelling, in-state video production, integrated digital and traditional media, and partnerships with trusted local voices and the National Hispanic Energy Council, Know the Value elevated real New Mexican perspectives, reinforced public confidence in responsible energy development, and countered misinformation by grounding the conversation in economic data, consumer impacts, and community experience
Our Work In The Southwest
CEA works across the Southwest to advance affordable, reliable, and responsible energy solutions that support families, small businesses, and local economies.
Through research, stakeholder engagement, media outreach, and on-the-ground advocacy, CEA highlights the importance of energy choice, permitting reform, and infrastructure development to meet rising energy demand. Our work in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico elevates local consumer voices and promotes practical policies that strengthen grid reliability while keeping energy costs manageable for consumers.
IN THE MEDIA
AFP-New Mexico Holds Weekend of Action Encouraging New Mexicans to Demand Energy Reform from Sen. Heinrich
CEA Southwest Executive Director Matthew Gonzales joined Americans for Prosperity–New Mexico during a weekend of grassroots action focused on advancing commonsense permitting reform. Speaking on an energy policy panel in Albuquerque, Gonzales emphasized that streamlining the permitting process is essential to keeping energy affordable and reliable for New Mexico families and small businesses, while supporting responsible energy development and job creation. The event encouraged constituents to urge Senator Martin Heinrich to advance meaningful permitting reform as Congress considers opportunities to strengthen America’s energy infrastructure and long-term energy certainty.
ICYMI: Southwest’s Natural Gas Use Rising as Population Increases, Data Centers Enter Mix
CEA Southwest Executive Director Matthew Gonzales highlighted the growing role of natural gas in meeting rising energy demand across Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, as population growth and data center development increase the need for reliable baseload power. In an interview with NGI, Gonzales emphasized that natural gas is essential to keeping electricity affordable, supporting economic growth, and ensuring grid reliability - particularly as AI-driven demand accelerates. He also underscored the importance of energy choice and permitting certainty, noting that states prioritizing reliable, dispatchable energy are better positioned to attract investment, protect consumers, and support rural and tribal communities across the Southwest.
REPORTS AND INSIGHTS
Arizona, first in nation to outlaw city-level bans on specific energy types, embraces natural gas, solar and all energy to fuel economy States with restrictive energy policies losing investment race.
“Powering Progress: How Natural Gas Fuels Colorado’s Communities,” highlights the multiple different ways natural gas contributes to the state. Natural gas provides 1/4 of the state’s energy, heats 7/10 homes and has helped Colorado reduce emissions by nearly 60% from 2011-2020.
“Fueling New Mexico’s Future”, highlights the multiple ways natural gas contributes to the state, starting with fact that natural gas and oil delivered $13 billion to the state in 2024.
