New Mexico Senators, Advocates Back Biden Oil And Gas Plans -
By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Local officials and residents in New Mexico's oil patches are anxious as the Biden administration takes aim at the oil and natural gas industry with a series of new executive orders.
But the state's two U.S. senators, both Democrats, are supporting the actions, saying it's time to rethink the nation's energy policies.
Sen. Martin Heinrich said he would not support a permanent, unilateral ban on new oil and gas leases but he believes a pause is appropriate despite concerns from industry groups and others that doing so could have immediate implications for the state's bottom line.