October 3, 2023
Dr. Nelia Dunbar, state geologist and director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, co-authored an op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal with Dr. Tramaine Anderson-Silvas, vice president for instruction at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas, highlighting how the energy production talent pool in the Permian Basin is poised to lead the next era of renewable energy and a decarbonized energy economy.
From the article: "The Permian Basin, which spans Southeast New Mexico and West Texas, has long been an energy powerhouse. For generations it has supplied much of America’s oil and gas. But beneath the familiar landscape of drilling rigs is an overlooked asset, something we’ve been fortunate to see up close: a reservoir of talent and expertise capable of driving a new era in energy.
"And we’re ready to lead. Our two states have a top-notch network of higher education institutions such as Midland College, New Mexico Junior College, Southeast New Mexico College, Texas Tech, the University of Texas Permian Basin and our institutions, Odessa College and New Mexico Tech. We have trained generations of energy professionals, equipping them with the skills needed to build companies expert in oil and gas extraction. Today’s challenge is adapting those skills to meet the demands of a changing energy landscape. We see this as an opportunity."
Read the full article here.