Julie Radoslovich Senate District 26 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Nearly a month after sending a letter to New Mexico Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, lawmakers and environmental advocates gathered in Santa Fe to urge the senators to oppose fossil fuel subsidies in the federal budget reconciliation package. President Joe Biden has proposed eliminating $121 billion in federal subsidies for the fossil fuel industry, but current legislation in the House does not include these cuts.
Food & Water Watch Senior Organizer Margaret Wadsworth stated, "It is untenable to continue providing free kickbacks to the fossil fuel industry in the middle of a climate crisis that they are responsible for fueling." She emphasized the need for New Mexico's economy to transition away from fossil fuels.
The letter presented by various organizations highlights public health concerns associated with fracking, including increased cancer risks and pregnancy complications. According to Food & Water Watch research, these issues disproportionately affect frontline communities, often rural or lower-income areas. Despite being a major oil producer, New Mexico remains one of the poorest states.
New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero expressed concern over subsidizing an industry that harms communities and the environment. "We need to find better ways to spend that money and reinvest into the people of New Mexico," she said.
Miya King-Flaherty from Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter noted that fossil fuel subsidies encourage development that negatively impacts marginalized communities. She pointed out environmental harms faced by communities in regions like Greater Chaco and Permian due to fossil fuel extraction.
Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez remarked on the ownership of natural resources: "The oil and gas in the ground on state and federal lands belongs to the ultimate sovereigns: the people." She stressed that oil and gas exploitation contributes significantly to climate change.
Raena Garcia from Friends of the Earth reminded attendees of past pledges by Senators Heinrich and Luján to repeal such subsidies. She called for ambitious climate policies as part of achieving a sustainable future.
