In December, Congress passed an appropriations package that bans new oil and gas leasing for a year within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park until an ethnographic study for the region is completed. The Navajo Nation and pueblos will have significant control over the study, so this is a great step in the right direction.
Funding denial is key victory for Gila River
Gila River advocates received great holiday news Dec. 20 as the Department of Interior denied a deadline extension on the Gila River diversion, cutting off access to more than $50 million in construction funding for the project that would harm New Mexico’s last wild river and divert money from local communities with critical water supply needs.
Sierra Club expert: Renewables are best option to replace San Juan coal
Renewables and battery storage have become cheaper than coal power, and according to a Sierra Club expert, they are now cheaper and a better option for New Mexico than gas, as well.
Public Condemns Sale of Ancestral Tribal and Public Lands For Fracking
Tribal governments, as well as thousands of people and more than a dozen groups representing over five million members called on the Trump administration to cancel its plan to lease nearly 15,000 acres of ancestral tribal and federal public lands in New Mexico for fracking.
Sierra Club & Root Beer – January 2020
Join the Central NM Group for Sierra Club and Root Beer on January 3rd to celebrate a new year and our New Mexico wilderness areas.
First Saturday Arts – January 2020
One of our community efforts is to highlight the works of local artists in our First Week Arts series at our Albuquerque office. Please join us in welcoming Edna Casman for an opening reception on Saturday, January 4, 2-4 pm at the Sierra Club office in Albuquerque.
Looking ahead to the legislative session
As we embark on the 30-day budget session at our State Legislature, we will again carry out grassroots lobby trainings throughout the state. These trainings will provide you with an overview of key bills that our environmental community will be pushing forward. Read more and register for the sessions.
Great last-minute Christmas gift!
Enjoy our southwest natural heritage every day! Hang one of these sublime photos by photographer Jan Bartelstone in your office or home. For a $150 donation to the Rio Grande Chapter, you can choose one of these 6 musuem quality, exclusive limited edition prints.
Speak Out – Oppose F-16 Training Airspace over the Gila!
Submit your public comments by January 31, 2020 to Peaceful Gila Skies Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) in Alamogordo wants to expand its F-16 pilot training airspace across southwestern New Mexico. Although the Air Force acknowledges that current airspace is adequate
Notes from PRC public hearing
Some of you may have listened to the testimony and cross examination that took place last week at the PRC related to the San Juan plant closure and tried to make heads or tails of what is being said. Here’s some background and interpretation.