Economic Development Briefings

Welcome to the Four Corners Economic Breakfast!

With Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance and Navajo Transitional Energy Company
February 11, 2025 (Chapter Breaks Below)

Join us for an insightful gathering of business & government leaders, industry professionals, and community members dedicated to driving economic growth and innovation in the Four Corners region. This quarterly event provides a platform to discuss key developments, rising opportunities, and strategic partnerships that shape our local economy.

In This Session:

Regional Economic Outlook – Insights into business growth and investment opportunities
Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance – Sustainability initiatives and clean energy projects
Navajo Transitional Energy Company – The future of energy and workforce development

Featured Speakers:

Danielle Todacheene, Director of Engagement – Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance
Leonard Palmer, Health & Safety Manager – Navajo Transitional Energy Company
Tim Gibbs, CEO – Four Corners Economic Development

Chapter Breaks

00:00 Breakfast Briefing Introduction with Tim Gibbs, 4CED CEO
03:39 Introduction of Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance
05:39 Danielle Todacheene, Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance - Engagement Director 
22:14 Introduction of Navajo Transitional Energy Company
24:37 Leonard Palmer, NTEC - Health & Safety Manager
39:29 Closing Remarks

Four Corners Economic Development hosted a Quarterly Breakfast Briefing, which featured information presented by Abe Baldonado, the Community Engagement Director with NMOGA—New Mexico Oil & Gas Association.

Chapter breaks provide quick access to portions of the breakfast briefing:
00:00 Welcome/Introduction with Tim Gibbs, 4CED CEO
02:53 Tim Gibbs introduces new board member John Thompson
05:29 Remarks from John Thompson, Walsh Engineering and Production Corp
10:16 Abe Baldonado Introduction
11:12 Presentation - Abe Baldonado, NMOGA Community Engagement Director
40:09 Questions & Answers
44:03 Closing Remarks with Tim Gibbs

00:00 • Introduction with Tim Gibbs, CEO of Four Corners Economic Development
04:34 • Presentation from Troy Clark, CEO of New Mexico Hospital Association
43:00 • Presentation from Jason Rounds, CEO of San Juan Regional Medical Center
58:34 • Questions
01:22:57 • Closing remarks from Tim Gibbs

Download slide deck here!

00:00:00 Introduction with Scott Bird
00:06:18 History with Perry Webb
00:12:14 Temple construction announcement
00:13:34 Farmington Temple with Perry Webb
00:19:01 Farmington Temple design with Herb & Lynette McLean
00:30:41 Construction with Chance Porter
00:43:05 Tour of temple designs
00:55:04 Perry & Cindi Webb
00:58:29 Questions
1:05:00 Closing with Scott Bird

Video Recording and Slide Deck

The February 22, 2022 Hydrogen Hub Breakfast Briefing was conducted in a panel format with a set of questions and answers and video recorded.  Click the video in the window to the right to launch the video in full from the beginning or on one of the questions below.  The slide deck used by the panelists is to the right and is available for download.

Video Q&A Chapters

00:00 Introduction

07:16 What is hydrogen?

12:27 How does hydrogen compare with natural gas in terms of energy output?

15:16 Who buys or uses hydrogen?

30:57 How is hydrogen transported?

37:28 Does hydrogen cost more than natural gas per unit of heat output? How much more?

40:29 How does Bayotech technology make hydrogen and what should the market in San Juan County be excited about it?

44:43 What exactly is a Hydrogen Hub?

58:38 Why would San Juan County potentially be interested in pursuing a hydrogen hub designation?

1:06:28 Question and Answer Session

View Slide Deck

Video Recording and Slide Deck

On March 8, 2022, Four Corners Economic Development hosted a breakfast meeting that provided information regarding the use and production of hydrogen to be used as a fuel source. Locations around the United States have the potential of becoming Hydrogen Hubs. As a major energy leader, San Juan County shows future promise in the hydrogen industry.

Clifton Horace, Moderator

00:00 Summary of Context from Session 1 - Clifton Horace, Moderator

Mike Moore ‐ Program Director, U.S. Energy Association

05:39 Introduction of Mike Moore ‐ Program Director, U.S. Energy Association

08:48 What is the likely process the DOE may follow for hydrogen hub applications?

13:35 How may the timeline of the DOE hydrogen hub application process potentially be affected by developments associated with Russian and Ukraine? What implications may there be for U.S. LNG production and export markets?

Emelie Frojen – Energy and Climate Program Associate, San Juan Citizens Alliance

18:46 Introduction of Emelie Frojen – Energy and Climate Program Associate, San Juan Citizens Alliance

19:42 What are the environmental concerns of hydrogen produced from either water (electrolysis) or natural gas (steam reformation)?

25:46 From the perspective of the San Juan Citizens Alliance and like‐minded environmental advocacy groups, what method(s) of hydrogen production and use would "check all the boxes" ?

27:21 Do you see a way to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 as outlined in the Paris Climate Accord without using carbon sequestration to mitigate all forms of CO2 emission including things like asphalt for roads and cement manufacturing?

Mike Moore ‐ Program Director, U.S. Energy Association

28:41 Please characterize the Biden administration’s approach to energy and some of the major policy changes and implications you see from the previous administration.

32:45 What are some of the environmental impacts associated with renewable energy that we might not normally hear about including associated CO2 impacts? In the interest of time, please limit your response to electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries.

37:34 Can you achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 as outlined in the Paris Climate Accord without using carbon sequestration to mitigate all forms of CO2 emission?

Mike Stark – County Manager, San Juan County, and Arvin Trujillo – CEO, 4CED

39:38 Introduction of Mike Stark – SJ County

40:07 What advantages does the SJ Basin offer to attract investor interest and jobs related to hydrogen?

John Byrom - Business Development Vice President, PESCO ‐‐ Proxy for Krista McWilliams - Operations Vice President, LOGOS Resources

53:00 Introduction of John Byrom, PESCO

53:32 What is the interest of local natural gas producers with hydrogen production and what might increase demand for SJ Basin natural gas potentially mean for industry jobs and industry vendors?

Wish Krishnamoorthy – BayoTech

1:00:54 Introduction of Wish Krishnamoorthy, BayoTech

1:01:31 Are there any demonstration projects using hydrogen underway in New Mexico that may be using BayoTech technology?

Mike Moore ‐ Program Director, U.S. Energy Association

1:11:19 Lot of pushback happened in the recent State of NM legislative session regarding standing up a NM hydrogen hub. No less than five different bills were attempted but all were rejected. The pushback related to NGO environmentalists who claim that a hydrogen hub is being advanced solely to further support oil and gas production. How do you think the U.S. will deal with similar objections as they may be raised?

Arvin Trujillo – CEO, 4CED

1:20:32 Introduction of Arvin Trujillo – 4CED

1:20:00 What is 4CED doing to promote developing a hydrogen hub in San Juan County? How do I continue to stay informed about developments in this emerging energy technology and market?

Clifton Horace, Moderator

1:27:29 Clifton Horace, Moderator Session 2 Q&A

View Slide Deck

Chapter Breaks

00:00 Breakfast Briefing welcome with Vince Moffitt
01:35 Introduction with Andy Hawkins
02:56 Speaker Vern Lund, NTEC – Navajo Transitional Energy Company
03:28 Speaker’s Agenda
03:53 NTEC Board of Directors
05:22 Management Group Intro
09:56 NTEC Overview
11:50 NTEC Today
12:51 Antelope Mine, Wyoming
13:50 Cordero Mine, Wyoming
14:44 Spring Creek Mine, Montana
15:32 Navajo Mine, Navajo Nation
16:20 Four Corners Power Plant
16:59 NTEC Helium
18:00 Helium
19:38 NTEC Economic contribution to the Navajo Nation
23:06 NTEC Excellence; Safety
26:03 Reclamation
27:50 Navajo Mine Excellence; Awards
29:27 NTEC Future; Solar
30:53 NTEC Future; Carbon Capture Investment
35:27 NTEC Future; Rare Earths & Critical Minerals
40:00 Questions
01:00:35 Closing with Arvin Trujillo

00:00:00 Introduction with Arvin Trujillo
00:03:24 Dr. Luis Cifuentes, NMSU
00:06:49 NMSU Chancellor Dr. Dan Arvizu
00:21:52 Dr. Cifuentes NMSU partnership & Energy Transition Introduction
00:23:51 Energy Transition with Chris Hunter, 4CED
00:32:19 Dr. Cifuentes Workforce Development
00:33:06 Introduction of Dr. Rolando Flores
00:33:51 Dr. Rolando Flores ACES
00:58:10 Dr. Cifuentes Geographical Diversity
00:59:48 Questions

Jack Morgan from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Washington, D.C. provided a very informative, thought-provoking presentation entitled “Putting the Challenge in Perspective: Lessons Learned from Coal Communities Across the Country.”

Given 4CED’s focus on helping diversify and strengthen the regional economy, it’s good to know we’re not alone as a region facing changes caused by the transforming carbon-energy economy. Through the opening Jack is providing, 4CED is learning from other communities about their transitional roadmaps.   

Thank you to our sponsors – San Juan County, the Cities of Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington and the Town of Kirtland.

View Slide Deck