Biden's, Grisham's energy policies impacting New Mexico political landscape

 

In the 2020 election, U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-New Mexico, lost to Republican Yvette Herrell in a district whose residents are reliant on oil and gas for survival. Despite trying to promote herself as a pro-oil and natural gas representative, Torres couldn’t shake off the effects of the anti-fossil fuel movement that has been incorporated in Democratic policies and is being pushed by the Biden administration.

Similarly, Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is up for reelection next year and experiencing sinking approval ratings, will face a tough battle against whoever wins the Republican primary in a growing field of challengers.

Grisham sought to receive an exemption from one of the first executive orders President Joe Biden issued banning new leasing for oil and gas operations on federal lands, knowing more than one-third of the state’s budget comes from oil and gas revenue. Her request was denied by the Biden administration, even after she flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with the president.

If New Mexico had been granted the exemption, it mostly likely  would have been challenged in court, critics argue. In the meantime, several groups sued, including Western Energy Alliance, arguing the ban is unconstitutional. Despite a court ruling in the Alliance’s and others’ favor, the Biden administration is still not issuing leases and most likely won’t through the end of the year.

“It’s clear Joe Biden, Michelle Lujan Grisham and their eco-enablers have delivered terrible results for our state,” Larry Behrens, Power the Future communications director, told The Center Square. “Gas prices are skyrocketing, electric bills are up, and New Mexico has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. In other words, every promise from our eco-left leaders has turned out to be a lie...MORE