Thank you for smoking! An alert for misinformation

In the 2006 comedy “Thank You for Smoking,” the smooth-talking lobbyist for the tobacco industry tries to confuse legislators and the public regarding the ill effects of their products. The movie demonstrates how the industry makes up a misleading name for its lobbying organization which portrays it as doing independent scientific research. We see a parallel here in the Consumer Energy Alliance.

In her June 6 opinion piece “New Mexico energy law not good for state, consumers,” Victoria Gonzales, who works for the CEA, claims to represent New Mexico consumer interests. The group does not represent an alliance of consumers. The CEA is a misleading name for a national advocacy group which represents the oil and gas industry. Its website claims to be representing your economic interests by promoting your purchases of gasoline and reminds you of the enormous income generated by the industry to our state. Of course, it is solely the industry’s profits they represent. The CEA as well as the Koch brothers are now inserting articles and editorials throughout New Mexico. Larry Behrens of the Kochs-supported “Power the Future” is quite active and well financed.

I am sure the tobacco industry found it to be no joke when they had to pay out $206 billion to reimburse states for health care costs due to tobacco products. When sales of tobacco significantly declined in the United States in the previous decades, the industry took to dramatically ramping up exporting worldwide.

In New Mexico we are facing a parallel with gas and oil although the consequences are far more devastating. As our state and the rest of the nation turn to renewable energy, the oil industry has first tried to deny any problem, then to disinform, then to claim to self-regulate (methane) while in a rush preparing the means to increase production and ramp up exports worldwide. This industry projects a 25% growth rate over the next decade and a doubling of production from the Permian Basin.

Yes, New Mexico relies on the jobs, royalties and taxes that oil and gas provide. It is our responsibility, however, to separate propaganda and political influencing from actually addressing this enormous problem. Let’s stop being strategically mislead by the oil industry and begin an informed discussion on the conversion of the New Mexico economy. Are you smoking or have you quit?