Fall in New Mexico brings roasting chile, golden aspen leaves, and the harvest of squash and corn—a season to pause, give thanks, and reflect on our connection to the land. In her recent Albuquerque Journal opinion piece, Sister Joan Brown, OSF, highlights how this Season of Creation calls us not only to gratitude but also to action, especially in addressing the environmental damage left by aging oil and gas wells.
Across the state, many abandoned wells leak dangerous toxins into air, water, and soil, threatening both ecosystems and the communities that have long cared for this land. Current rules often leave taxpayers footing the cleanup bill when companies walk away. Sister Brown emphasizes that New Mexicans overwhelmingly support requiring oil and gas corporations to post sufficient bonding to cover the true cost of cleanup—a step that is both fair and achievable.
Faith, she writes, calls us to protect creation and care for our neighbors. The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission is currently considering updates to bonding requirements, and Sister Brown urges communities to support these measures to safeguard the land, water, and future generations.
Read her full piece here: Protecting creation means cleaning up the oil and gas mess ↗
