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.