New Mexico Senators Must Support Bipartisan Lower Energy Costs Act

April 7, 2023

Last week H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, passed the House and now sits in the Senate, where New Mexico Senators Martin Heinrich (D) and Ben Ray Luján (D) have been awfully quiet. 

The Lower Energy Costs Act aims to reduce energy costs for consumers across the United States. The bill received support from both Republicans and Democrats, making it a rare bipartisan effort to address the rising costs of energy.

Power The Future Communications Director Larry Behrens weighs in on the Senators silence, 

“The bipartisan Lower Energy Costs Act is critical for a state like New Mexico that is at the forefront of energy production. Our leaders need to stand for the people of our state, not for the rich eco-donors who fund their campaigns. New Mexico’s families are struggling under high energy prices every single day, yet Senators Heinrich and Lujan feel there’s plenty of time to waste.”

New Mexico is the second largest energy-producing state in the U.S., so a bill that would increase domestic production, reform the permitting process, reverse the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies, streamline the energy infrastructure and boost the production and processing of critical minerals should be something state senators and representatives support wholeheartedly. 

Unfortunately, during the House vote last week, every member of New Mexico’s House delegation voted against the Lower Energy Costs Act despite their efforts to portray themselves as moderates last fall. As the bill now sits in the Senate, it remains to be seen whether Senators Heinrich and Luján will support their constituents or eco-left donors.