FUTURE

Coal-bearing rocks underlie one-fifth of the state ofNew Mexico, but most citizens are unaware of the important role coal plays in the economy of the state. Coal mining has been a significant part of our eco-nomic development since the 1850s. Today, New Mexico ranks 12th in U.S. coal production (27.34 mil-lion short tons), with 1.39 billion short tons of recov-erable coal reserves at producing mines.1 Forty-six percent of the state’s total energy needs are met through power generated from coal. The coal indus-try’s contribution to New Mexico’s state budget is the third largest source of revenue from mineral and ener-gy production. State tax revenues from the coal indus-try in New Mexico totaled $31.8 million in calendar year 2000. In addition, the state receives 50 % of all royalties from coal leases on federal lands, and al