Fossil Fuel companies have left behind wells that leak toxins and operate existing wells too close to public places. Tara Lujan, New Mexico State Representative, and EOPA NM Leadership Council member, spoke about those dangers and how they have effected her own daughter.
She’s working hard to ensure other daughters don’t need to suffer and that all children in New Mexico have access to clean air and water.
Rep. Lujan, D-Santa Fe, said industrial oil and gas wells are operating just feet from homes, schools and hospitals, increasing community health risks from well-known toxins.
“Some here in New Mexico have been devastated because of types of energy incentives that have affected their land, their culture, their way of life and have taken away their lives,” said Rep. Lujan.
This year, the Legislature turned down three bills to have setbacks around oil and gas wells. California passed legislation to ban wells within 3,200 feet of schools but it is on hold pending the November election when the industry hopes voters will overturn it.