Experts at the Coalition of Conservatives in Action (CCIA) are calling on the Biden administration to increase the domestic production of oil in New Mexico, in order to offset the rising cost of gasoline across the nation.
With New Mexican residents facing gasoline prices of more than $4 per gallon, President Joe Biden and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's (D-N.M.) administrations might think this is a way to wean the public off fossil fuels. But many are suffering because the price of most commodities depends on the cost of bringing them to market.
Juan Garcia, chairman of CCIA, thinks part of the solution in New Mexico is to finish the Keystone pipeline, and to allow states like New Mexico that have have abundant oil and natural gas to bring those products to market. Garcia and CCIA energy technical consultant David Tofsted are in the process of putting together a call to action to send emails to the governor, legislators, and congressional representatives.
Garcia criticized Biden for how he is handling the energy issues the U.S. is facing currently.
"The president is handling the energy crisis badly," Garcia said to New Mexico Sun. "If he is trying to bring the citizens to their knees and embrace EV, then at some point people will make a choice. Rebel or comply. No middle ground. As I see the thousands of vehicles on the road, I don’t see how Biden will be able to subjugate the will of the people who don’t want an EV."
He continued, "This goes to Sen. Heinrich, who is obsessed with the green energy agenda and single-focus extremism. If Biden would allow the market to dictate instead of the government, the transition to green would be more welcoming and affordable. We are begging other countries to pump oil for us in order for Biden to claim 'the USA is weaning of oil production.'"
Likewise, Garcia was not pleased with Lujan Grisham's political performance.
"I have a difficult time with hypocrisy, even though it is part of being a politician. And MLG is right on top," Garcia told New Mexico Sun. "This was most evident with her recent push for tax cuts for the elderly, sudden support for the police, and other 'freebies' she wanted to push in order to entice voters. Her and Gov. Whitmer from Michigan are the worst authoritarian governors in the country."
Garcia believes Lujan Grisham should immediately increase oil production in order to address skyrocketing gas prices in New Mexico.
"The governor, with her huge megaphone, should talk to the Biden administration and push for a friendlier relationship with the oil industry and increase oil production in NM," Garcia said to New Mexico Sun. "With the huge amount of revenue coming from oil and the sky-high prices of fuel, it is beyond belief that she lets her constituents suffer for her green goals. Zero empathy. But she can't and won't because she too kneels at the altar of the green agenda and would turn folks like Haaland, Secretary of the Interior; Sen. Heinrich; and hundred other of her supporters against her."
Garcia legally immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was 5 years old, according to his biography on the CCIA website. At the age of 17, he dropped out of high school and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for the next 25 years. He recently retired after serving as a Department of Defense contractor. Garcia has a strong nationalistic view with strong support for the interest of his nation, his biography said.
In New Mexico, the average price for a gallon of gas is $4.12 as of March 31, according to FuelEconomy.gov. The national average is $4.22 per gallon.
The mission of CCIA is to inform, advocate, and empower citizens to hold elected and appointed officials accountable at all levels of the political process, their website said. CCIA advocates for the advancement of communities, states, and the nation through self-reliance and critical thinking skills.
New Mexico residents are invited to join CCIA and be a part of its outreach. They meet at 6 p.m. every Thursday; meeting locations vary.