Public Forum on Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Program

For Immediate Release: April 9, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY - WEDS. APRIL 14

Frontline Communities From Permian Basin and Greater Chaco Region Demand Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Reform and End to Sacrifice Zones in First-Ever Joint Press Conference

Contacts:

Rebecca Sobel, Organizing Director, WildEarth Guardians, (267) 402-0724, rsobel@wildearthguardians.org  

Miya King-Flaherty, Our Wild New Mexico Organizer, Sierra Club-Rio Grande Chapter,

(505) 301-0863, miya.king-flaherty@sierraclub.org 

Jessica Gable, Media Relations Officer, Food & Water Watch, (202) 683-2478, jgable@fwwatch.org 

VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE-- On Wednesday, April 14, representatives from New Mexico communities impacted by oil and gas extraction and environmental advocates will hold a press conference to discuss the climate, health and social impacts of the federal fossil fuel leasing program as well as issues of cultural integrity and Tribal consultation. Representatives from the northwest New Mexico’s Greater Chaco region (San Juan Basin) and the state’s southeast Greater Carlsbad region (Permian Basin) will speak to the local pollution, cultural, and economic consequences of unchecked drilling in the state.

Providing a direct comment to the Department of Interior, speakers will share perspectives on how communities in these regions are impacted by oil and gas and highlight the need for fundamental reform to the Department of Interior’s oil and gas leasing program.

WHAT: Press conference with New Mexico Indigenous and community groups in response to Department of Interior’s federal oil and gas leasing program review 

Speakers:

Julia Bernal, from Sandia Pueblo and Alliance Director of Pueblo Action Alliance

Mario Atencio, Diné CARE board member-at-large 

Mike Eisenfeld, Energy and Climate Program Manager, San Juan Citizens Alliance 

Reverend Gene Harbaugh, member of Citizens Caring for the Future - Permian Basin 

Kayley Shoup, member of Citizens Caring for the Future - Permian Basin

Nathalie Eddy, Interim Field Team Manager and New Mexico Field Advocate, Earthworks

Margaret Wadsworth, Senior Organizer, Food and Water Watch

Rebecca Sobel, Organizing Director, WildEarth Guardians 

WHEN: Wednesday, April 14th, 8:15  MT/ 10:15 ET

WHERE: Viewing Link -  https://www.facebook.com/FrackOffChaco

Background:

On March 25, the Department of Interior held a virtual forum on the agency’s oil and gas leasing program to solicit feedback to inform a comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas leasing program. The agency is accepting public comments through April 15th.

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