On January 6, Governor Susana Martinez selected climate change-denier Harrison Schmitt as the new cabinet secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD).

One of the first tasks Martinez assigned to Schmitt is an “investigation” of the 2008 Pit Rule, a state rule implemented by the EMNRD that requires oil and gas companies to properly contain and dispose of toxic liquids generated in the drilling process, and to clean up any spills or leaks that do occur. As EMNRD head, Schmitt would be one of 3 chairs on the Oil Conservation Commission– 1/3 of the “vote” to amend the Pit Rule to weaken protections and favor industry.

Martinez campaigned on promises to roll back the Pit Rule, and will use Schmitt to undermine this important regulation.

Mr. Schmitt is a reactionary, but don’t take our word for it– take his. Read the Albuquerque Journal’s Jan. 12 piece “Schmitt: In His Words” for an illustrative sampling of Schmitt’s dangerous ideology.

This is NOT the person we want at the helm of our state’s energy department.

Join us in taking action to stave off this anti-conservation onslaught:
1. Send a letter to the Senate Rules Committee objecting to Schmitt’s appointment. We need as many letters as possible prior to the confirmation hearings coming up in February.
Click here to send a free fax through our Online Action Center.

2. Join our campaign to defend the Pit Rule against the Martinez-Schmitt onslaught.
Visit our Online Action Center for a Pit Rule factsheet and to send letters to the State legislature in support of this important regulation.

Thank you for helping safeguard a clean, safe energy future for New Mexico. Please stay tuned for more on this issue.