(The Center Square) â Several Democratic legislators in New Mexico sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing support for his moratorium on oil and gas leases on federal land, a stance critics say is bad for the state s schools.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, also a Democrat, took a different approach in an April letter to Biden, asking that he give New Mexico a pass on the moratorium due to the state budgetâs dependence on tax revenue from the leases.
The Tuesday letter, which was also sent to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former New Mexico congresswoman, was signed by eight state senators and 16 state representatives. While all Democratic legislators were given the opportunity to sign the letter, no Democratic leaders in either chamber chose to do so.
Biden s oil policies highlight rift in New Mexico politics
SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press
June 9, 2021
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A small group of New Mexico lawmakers are supporting the Biden administration’s pause and review of federal oil and gas lease sales, saying they are committed to moving away from the state s over-dependence on fossil fuels.
The group of 24 Democrats sent a letter Tuesday to the president and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The lawmakers wrote that planning for economic diversification and reducing the volatility of the industry s boom-and-bust cycles on the state s budget is in the best interest of pursuing priorities such as education and health care.
Joe Biden proposes $300M to plug oil and gas wells. New Mexico leaders say billions needed Adrian Hedden, Carlsbad Current-Argus
What s the impact of a moratorium on oil and gas leases on federal land in New Mexico?
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President Joe Biden signaled a desire to join New Mexico’s political leaders in cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells throughout the State and nation through appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request released last week.
The budget increased funding at the Department of the Interior by about $2.5 billion for a total of $17.6 billion, including funds to address environmental issues and reform management of public lands.