Heinrich Applauds Senate Passage Of Bill To Expand Domestic Energy Production in New Mexico
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Permit Processing Improvement Act, a bill to help keep the Farmington and Carlsbad BLM offices fully staffed and reduce the backlog in oil and gas permits, passed unanimously. Senator Heinrich is a cosponsor of the proposal.
"Thousands of jobs and a sizable portion of our state's economy are supported by New Mexico's oil and gas industry. Increasing cooperation among federal agencies and businesses is a great way to boost job creation and expand domestic energy production in our state.
"This bill will ensure the BLM has the staff it needs to manage development of oil and natural gas resources on federal lands. It will also continue streamlining the oil and gas drilling permit process while strengthening the review system that helps meet important environmental and safety standards.
"I commend Senator Udall for introducing this important legislation -- it is a key step to securing New Mexico's energy future. I hope the House will quickly take up the bill and send it to the president for his signature."
Senator Heinrich has been a strong proponent for the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act. He recently visited the Farmington BLM Pilot Office to discuss energy development, the permitting process, and public lands. During a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator Heinrich advocated the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-WY).
