Pausing federal oil and gas leasing is good idea for all

Federal oil and gas leasing decisions have long been driven solely by oil and gas CEOs. As a result, New Mexicans have watched as lands on the doorstep of national parks and irreplaceable cultural landmarks, such as Chaco Culture National Historical Park, have been opened up for drilling and repeatedly threatened.

The Biden administration’s decision to hit pause on new leasing on public lands correctly recognizes that the Interior Department needs to revisit its oil and gas leasing process, and update the program to make sure that the importance of protecting special places, clean water, outdoor recreation and energy development are all weighted equally.

The past administration abused the broken leasing system to lease more than a quarter of a million acres of public lands in New Mexico; lease sales crept closer to such special places as Chaco Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, leading to widespread opposition from tribal communities and many others. The status quo threatens to silence more Americans and push drilling closer to our national parks — President Biden’s decision to pause new leasing on public lands is a common sense first step toward leveling the playing field.

By doing so, the Interior Department can finally conduct a comprehensive review of the federal leasing system to ensure it works for everyone. That will be good for all of us — a review and fixes!

DIANE LERESCHE SANTA FE