New Mexico Eyes Asian Market for Natural Gas
New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Monday that New Mexico is exploring a partnership with Japan to export natural gas from the Rocky Mountain basin to Asia, presenting a potential major economic and energy opportunity for the state.
The initiative follows a new report highlighting two main routes for delivering Western U.S. natural gas from Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico to the Pacific Ocean for export to Japan:
- Pacific Northwest route – shipping through ports in Washington or Oregon.
- Southwest route via Mexico – transporting gas to the Pacific coast, bypassing the Panama Canal.
Abundant Gas Reserves and Economic Potential
Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized New Mexico’s energy potential:
“We have nearly unlimited gas reserves—277 trillion cubic feet—which is a very powerful representation of what we can provide with growing energy demands in this country and beyond.”
The project is seen as a potential job creator and a way to reduce export costs while addressing national security concerns associated with traditional shipping routes.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon also joined the announcement, highlighting regional collaboration on energy infrastructure.
Japan Partnership and Tech Collaboration
The Japanese ambassador to the U.S. participated in the unveiling, supporting the concept of a comprehensive infrastructure roadmap for gas exports.
Additionally, Governor Lujan Grisham announced a partnership between New Mexico State University and Japanese tech firm Fujitsu to collaborate on computer chip manufacturing, reflecting the state’s dual focus on energy and technology development.
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