Ellen Loehman – Rio Grande Chapter

New Mexico methane coalition condemns EPA rollback as state moves to strengthen methane protections

Ellen Loehman — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 22:42:55 +0000

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Antoinette Reyes, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Organizer, antoinette.reyes@sierraclub.org

New Mexico methane coalition condemns EPA rollback as state moves to strengthen methane protections

NEW MEXICO-— [10/07/26] — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft rollback of the 2024 federal Methane Rule, a rule that established new requirements to reduce methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and gas operations. The New Mexico Methane Table, a coalition of community, tribal, health, and environmental organizations working to cut oil and gas methane pollution, condemned the proposal, calling it a giveaway to polluters that would worsen climate change and air quality and threaten public health in New Mexico, the nation’s second-largest oil-producing state.

The announcement came at today’s New Mexico Oil and Gas Association meeting, a large coalition of groups, led by Sierra Club’s Rio Grande chapter, protested the rollback plan.

The rollback proposal comes as New Mexico moves in the opposite direction. The New Mexico Environment Department has petitioned the state Environmental Improvement Board to adopt a new state Methane Abatement rule (20.2.51 NMAC). A public hearing is scheduled to begin Dec. 1, 2026. The proposed rule would strengthen the state’s existing methane standards and establish a statewide super-emitter program requiring large methane leaks to be identified and repaired quickly.

In 2022, New Mexico became the third state to establish a comprehensive state-based methane program. While some oil-and gas-producing states have relied primarily on federal standards, New Mexico and other states have adopted their own requirements to reduce methane emissions. The proposed federal rollback could allow states with weaker methane protections to maintain or increase emissions while New Mexico and other states pursue stronger standards.

Methane is a potent climate pollutant, with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Oil and gas operations also release methane alongside other co-pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, carcinogens, and other chemicals that contribute to ozone, soot and other harmful air pollution, which disproportionately affect communities near oil and gas development in New Mexico.

Recent peer-reviewed research has linked elevated levels of ozone and radioactive materials in Loving, a town adjacent to the Permian Basin’s oil and gas operations. Meanwhile, New Mexico recorded tens of thousands of flaring events over the past year, despite state and federal efforts to limit routine flaring. Researchers also tied airborne radiation and ozone spikes in the Permian Basin town of Loving directly to nearby oil and gas operations.

In the San Juan Basin near Chaco Canyon, the inequitable impacts are significant with a large majority of the state’s oil-and-gas-related water contamination and some of its worst methane release plumes concentrated in and around Diné communities.

The low-producing wells the federal rollback would exempt from leak monitoring requirements are a significant source of methane pollution. New analysis using MethaneSAT satellite data finds that low-producing wells account for just 5% of U.S. oil and gas production but roughly 60% of production-related methane emissions. In New Mexico and Texas, low-producing wells make up the majority of oil and gas wells, making the proposed exemption particularly significant for the Permian Basin. Experts have documented significant public health risks associated with pollution from oil and gas operations, including increased risks of premature deaths and childhood asthma. linked these emissions to hundreds of premature deaths and tens of thousands of childhood asthma attacks each year.

The 2024 Methane Rule followed extensive public input, including more than 900,000 public comments and input from communities, health, legal experts, investors, environmentalists and industry. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, since theEPA stopped fully enforcing federal oil and gas methane standards, the industry has leaked, vented, or flared over 7 billion worth of natural gas.

The New Mexico Methane Table plans to defend the 2024 federal methane rule during the upcoming public comment period; will participate in the NMED’s December Environmental Improvement Board hearing. The table also plans continue pressing the administration for stronger methane protections, including through meetings with the Office of Management and Budget. Additional quotes from coalition partners are available in the accompanying quote sheet.

PRESS QUOTE SHEET

Antoinette Reyes, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Organizer, said: “New Mexico cannot afford a federal retreat on methane. The 2024 EPA safeguards were designed to do basic, practical things: find leaks, stop routine flaring, catch super-emitter events, and require operators to use cleaner equipment that already exists. Rolling those protections back — including protections for low-producing wells that make up a majority of active wells in both New Mexico and Texas — would create a sweeping industry loophole. Oil and gas pollution is like secondhand smoke from the industry: communities are exposed without consent, and the people closest to the source carry the heaviest burden. With the Permian spanning both Texas and New Mexico, pollution knows no boundaries, which is exactly why New Mexico and other states must codify these methane protections into state law and make them strong enough to withstand political rollbacks in Washington.”

“The weakening of the federal methane rule makes it easier for oil and gas companies to pollute New Mexico’s air. This impacts all New Mexicans who live and work near the industry. It especially impacts the nearly 150,000 people living within half a mile of oil and gas infrastructure, and the 119 schools and nearly 30,000 students going to school within half a mile of oil and gas sites. It impacts people’s health – children’s health. There is no reason to rollback air pollution rules other than lining the pockets of billionaires at the expense of people. This decision is devastating, yet par for the course for the Trump Administration. New Mexicans are counting on our state government now to protect us from methane super polluters.” Mandy Sackett, New Mexico Lead Campaigner, Earthworks

“In southeastern New Mexico, communities in the Permian Basin are on the frontlines of methane pollution. The Permian Basin emits more methane than any other oil and gas basin in the country, placing nearby communities at increased risk from harmful air pollution while accelerating the climate crisis. Weakening methane protections means asking frontline communities to bear even greater costs. New Mexicans deserve strong safeguards that protect our health, our air, and our future.” Carlos Matutes, New Mexico Program Director, GreenLatinos New Mexico

“These rollbacks are a slap in the face to families who are exposed to methane pollution where they live, work, and play. For over a decade, Moms Clean Air Force has been fighting for protections—and we have made progress in states like New Mexico, but all families deserve clean air. Over 900,000 comments were submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of the commonsense methane pollution protections that EPA finalized in 2024, including many of the moms, dads, and caregivers with Moms Clean Air Force. Now frontline communities must once again show up and demand EPA provide strong federal methane pollution standards that protect Americans from this known public health threat and climate super pollutant. It is outrageous that we have to fight so hard just for our children’s right to breathe clean air.” Celerah Hewes, Senior Manager of State Field Campaigns, Moms Clean Air Force

“As New Mexico strengthens methane protections, federal rollbacks put our progress, and our kids’ health at risk. Communities near oil and gas production face greater exposure to pollution. New Mexico is doing its part to reduce methane, super-emitter events, and flaring, but we all share the same air. Strong EPA safeguards are essential to protect our children and hold operators accountable.” said Maya Anthony, with NM Voices for Children

2026 General Election Endorsements

Ellen Loehman — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:25:00 +0000

Authorized and paid for by The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club PAC.

Note: the endorsements below are for contested races in which there is an endorsement. If there is no recommendation, it either means the race is not contested or the Rio Grande Sierra Club has not made an endorsement.

For general election information, please visit NMvote.gov. On this site – by the NM Secretary of state – you can verify your voter registration, find your congressional districts, identify early voting locations and much more.

Rio Grande Sierra Club endorsements for state-wide contested elections

Governor’s Office
Deb Haaland and Stephanie Garcia Richard

As Secretary of the Interior under Joe Biden, Deb Haaland reduced methane waste on federal and tribal lands, accelerated permitting for clean energy projects, and launched large-scale orphaned well remediation—cutting emissions while creating jobs. As the first Native American cabinet secretary, she focused heavily on Indigenous rights, public land protections, and climate change. She supported Tribal nations and Indigenous communities’ stewardship of lands and waters using Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.

As Land Commissioner, Stephanie Garcia Richard increased the bonding requirement for oil and gas operators to ensure that they pay for the costs of well capping and site remediation and that the state is not stuck with the bill. She raised the royalty rate for oil and gas lease sales to 25%, created the Office of Renewable Energy within the Land Office to capitalize on New Mexico’s solar and wind potential, established the first Cultural Properties Protection Rule to safeguard historical and cultural artifacts on state trust lands, and worked with the NM Dept. of Wildlife to expand recreational opportunities on State Trust Lands.

Secretary of State
Amanda López Askin

Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin was appointed as Clerk five days before the 2018 election and was immediately confronted by falsehoods and election-denial in the close Torres Small-Herrell congressional election that year. López Askin has also seen firsthand the fear and intimidation that communities will experience when federal law enforcement officers are present in the community on election day. This experience with election-denial, disruption, intimidation, personal attacks, and threats during her tenure as Doña Ana County Clerk has prepared her to be a steady hand to guide the state through the polarized elections we may be facing in the future in NM.

Attorney General
Raúl Torrez

Attorney General Raúl Torrez has amassed a stellar record during his first term leading the NM Dept. of Justice, both in environmental litigation and in 59 lawsuits resisting the illegal actions of the Trump regime. Torrez has emphasized that his job is first and foremost to protect vulnerable New Mexicans.

Torrez has backed the emergency petitions challenging air and water permitting decisions for the Project Jupiter data center. He sued oil and gas operators for fraudulently scheming to avoid the cost of plugging depleted wells. Torrez has defended public access to natural rivers and streams like the Pecos River from private landowners’ attempts to privatize access. Torrez led a multistate coalition opposing federal regulations that would fast-track licensing for unproven nuclear microreactors without adequate environmental review. He opposed proposed federal rollbacks to radiation safety standards.

Torrez sued the United States Postal Service over its unlawful attempts to interfere with mail-in voting. He obtained a $942 million judgment against Meta as a result of mental health harm to children from social media, along with an agreement to reform its platforms to reduce harm to children. He sued the U.S. Justice Department to obtain unredacted federal files concerning Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at the Zoro Ranch in NM so that wrongdoers can be prosecuted.

Commissioner of Public Lands
Juan de Jesus Sanchez III

Juan Sanchez is committed to protecting Chaco Canyon, including continuing the current moratorium on oil, gas and mineral leases in the greater Chaco area, and refusing to grant easements over state lands within the buffer zone that would facilitate oil and gas projects on federal lands. He supports putting into law the Land Office’s new Office of Cultural Resources in order to ensure no future land commissioner can avoid input from archeologists and tribal liaisons in order to protect sacred sites when implementing land office projects.

Sanchez has vowed to implement and defend Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard’s executive orders, regulations and work, including adequate bonding for the cost of remediation of oil and gas well sites, no fresh water for fracking, setbacks of oil and gas leases from schools, higher royalties on oil and gas leases and more renewable energy leases. Sanchez wants to create a new outdoor recreation office within the Land Office to create more opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping and trails.

Rio Grande Sierra Club endorsements for New Mexico State House of Representatives

Rickie Gonzales
HD 7

Rickie Gonzales is running to address long-ignored issues in underrepresented parts of District 7. He will work for smart development and plans for growth that ensure water and the environment are top priorities, for environmental justice for the many disenfranchised populations, and to bring services that help his constituents.

Katherine Gauer
HD 8

Katherine Gauer knows Valencia County’s issues from her years of working on social justice and education issues. She wants to address the problems faced by her constituents in her mostly rural district, including infrastructure, health care, and water. She will work for a moratorium on data centers.

Andres Romero
HD 10

Since his first term, Romero has made environmental policy a central issue, and he continues to be a strong advocate for climate action, pushing for policies that protect the environment and promote sustainability. He serves as Chair of the Education Committee, and on the Transportation and Public Works Committee.

Art De La Cruz
HD 12

Art De La Cruz has a lifetime conservation score of 95% from Conservation Voters New Mexico. He has supported many of our priority bills, including the Game Commission reform, oil and gas royalty rate structures, the strategic water reserve, and uranium mine cleanup. Along with conservation, he advocates for veterans and military families.

Miguel Garcia
HD 14

Conservation Voters NM gave Miguel Garcia a 97 percent lifetime environmental voting score. Along with protecting labor, health, and human services, he brings his expertise and commitment to the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee and the Water and Natural Resources Committee. He has sponsored bills to protect both our ancient acequias and our new Americans.

Debra M. Sariñana
HD 21

Debbie Sariñana is Vice Chair of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Water and Natural Resources Committee, two very important committees for the environment. She has used her experience and leadership to sponsor bills to promote energy affordability and low-income home solar, regulate oil and gas and produced water, and to direct the Environment Department to prioritize hazardous waste issues. She virtually always votes right on environmental bills.

Elizabeth Thomson
HD 24

Liz Thomson has been a rock-solid supporter of environmental and other progressive legislation during her fourteen years in the State House. As a pediatric physical therapist and the mother of an autistic son, her focus has been on legislation to provide healthcare and opportunities for children, especially those with disabilities.

Cristina Parajón
HD 25

Cristina Parajon is our sole Gen Z member of the State House. She sponsored the new law allowing independent voters to vote in the major party primary elections. She has sponsored legislation creating new transmission lines for green energy, strengthening privacy rights, and amending the Oil and Gas Act with provisions for penalties, financial assurance, transfers, and gas capture.

Eleanor Chávez
HD 26

Eleanor Chávez is a longtime fighter for immigrants, children, healthcare, and free speech. She has a perfect 100% Conservation Voters NM lifetime voting score. She sponsored legislation protecting against lawsuits designed to silence criticism (SLAPP suits), prohibiting local governments from entering into agreements with ICE to detain individuals, and protecting employee free speech

Abby Foster
HD27

Abby Foster is a lawyer who advocates for children and disabled adults. She is committed to affordable housing, child wellbeing, and healthcare access. Abby emphasizes that we need to protect New Mexico’s water supply through smart conservation and investing in infrastructure to handle long-term drought. She also supports growing clean energy jobs and opposes the purchase of PNM by Blackstone.

Pamelya Herndon
HD28

Pamelya Herndon has spent her career advocating for social justice and women’s rights. She has served as the president and CEO of KWH Law Center for Social Justice and Change, the CEO of the Women’s Center of Social Justice and Change, and the executive director of the Southwest Women’s Law Center. She has served as the first vice president of the NAACP Albuquerque Branch. Pamelya has a 98% lifetime Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Joy Garratt
HD29

Joy Garratt is a longtime educator, where she has strived to integrate environmental and conservation education in her language-arts and social-studies assignments. She cares deeply about preserving our state’s natural beauty and resources for future generations, and she stresses that education is a vital component in ensuring that this happens. She strongly opposes unregulated data centers.

E. Diane Torres-Velásquez
HD30

Rep. Diane Torres-Velásquez has a PhD in education and has worked with grassroots groups to establish public education as a fundamental right in New Mexico and to make sure there is an equitable distribution of education resources. While the focus of her legislative work has been on education, she has been a steadfast supporter of the Chapter’s environmental priorities and has a 100% lifetime Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Lisa Curtis
HD31

Lisa Curtis is an Albuquerque attorney, business owner, and community leader, who has spent more than 30 years representing New Mexico families. Lisa is smart, progressive, and strategic. She believes we should use today’s oil and gas revenue to build tomorrow’s economy, which includes water infrastructure, clean energy, and a renewable buildout. She wants to limit private equity from acquiring the companies that provide our healthcare.

Laura Parra
HD 32

Laura Parra is a city councilor and the mayor pro tem of Deming. A community organizer with a background working with our nonprofit allies, she is the founder of the nonprofit Voices for Change, an organization that develops youth leadership. Laura impressed the political committee with her knowledge of her community and her desire to be a strong voice in the legislature for rural communities and working families.

Micaela Lara Cadena
HD33

Micaela Lara Cadena is the research director at Young Women United, a New Mexico nonprofit, and has worked as an advocate for women in correctional facilities. She has sponsored and supported legislation to protect and strengthen water resources and infrastructure in New Mexico. Micaela has become a leader in opposing Project Jupiter. She has a 94% lifetime Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Angelica Rubio
HD35

Angelica Rubo’s work in the legislature focuses on policies that center on disproportionately impacted communities that are deeply affected by extractive industries and working towards a vision of building a restorative economy for all New Mexicans. She is the chair of the interim Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee. Angelica has served in the legislature for ten years, and during that time she has always supported environmental legislation. She has a 100% lifetime Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Nathan Small
HD36

Nathan Small was the principal sponsor of the 2019 Energy Transition Act, mandating electricity generation utilities to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. He has been a strong advocate for renewable energy and has a lifetime 97% Conservation Voters NM voting score. He is Chair of the powerful House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

Lori Martinez
HD37

Lori Martinez is the Executive Director of Ngage New Mexico, an education nonprofit. She will bring a high level of expertise in education and mental health to the House and would work to fill gaps in services by creating new state programs, including Paid Family Leave. She supports legislation to restrict private-equity control of hospitals, energy and data centers.

David Mooney
HD 38

If the Chapter could create a candidate with ideal qualifications, it would be Dave Mooney. Dave is a strong environmentalist and is an activist against Project Jupiter; he has extensive experience leading campaign ground games; and he is a community organizer. He wants to help New Mexico make sound best policy decisions based on practical, community and environment-focused solutions.

Raul Turrieta
HD 39

Raul Turrieta is an active and visible member of the Silver City community. He pledges to work to ensure access to affordable health care, educate a skilled workforce, place a moratorium on data centers, protect the Gila, for post-fire watershed restoration, to expand our Strategic Water Reserve to protect our rivers, and to meet renewable energy goals faster than those outlined in the Energy Transition Act.

Kathleen Cates
HD44

Kathleen Cates is Vice Chair of the Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee and has sponsored and supported water project bills. Her priorities as a legislator are water, housing and human rights. She has been an ironclad supporter of environmental bills, with a 100% lifetime Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Tara Lujan
HD48

Tara Lujan supports a balanced energy future that creates jobs, lowers costs, and protects New Mexico’s environment through investments in clean energy, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure. She supports responsible water planning, conservation, modern infrastructure, and policies that protect our land and natural resources for the future. She has a lifetime 100% Conservation Voters NM voting score.

Sarah Boses
HD50

Sarah Boses is a registered oncology nurse and a two-term member of the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education. Her campaign priorities include education, healthcare, affordable housing, and supporting sustainable growth and climate resilient renewable energy transitions.

Grace Nagamine
HD51

Grace Nagamine impressed the Political Committee with her knowledge of, empathy for, and hands-on work to alleviate the hardships of challenged members of the Otero County community. Grace is a survivor herself, having experienced homelessness and survived domestic violence, and she is a Certified Nursing Assistant. She founded Royal Angels to provide joy to special needs children, inspired by her granddaughter. She is committed to helping children, families, seniors, veterans, and people suffering from mental health issues and disabilities.

Sarah Silva
HD 53

Sarah Silva was heavily involved in the efforts that led to the designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. In the legislature, she was a sponsor of the medical malpractice reform that which will help attract and retain doctors in NM. She also sponsored a successful bill to use oil-and-gas revenue to pay for the SNAP benefits cut by the Trump regime. She has become a strong opponent of Project Jupiter and supports strong guardrails against the negative impacts of data centers. In addition, she pledges to work to pass Paid Family Leave and legislation to prohibit digital price tags.

Chriselle Martinez
HD 57

Chriselle Martinez supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels and making microgrids and data centers subject to requirements to transition to renewable energy. She supports a moratorium on data centers until we have a comprehensive framework that addresses water use, energy usage, impacts on consumer energy costs, and community benefits. She believes that New Mexico should continue to lead on climate and environmental protections regardless of federal actions.

Luke Jungmann
HD 60

Luke Jungmann is running in Rio Rancho because our freedoms are under attack, the environment ravaged, and people struggle to afford life. He is focused on the needs of his constituents-to-be, and is accordingly prioritizing affordable healthcare and housing, paid family and medical leave, and labor and union protections. He is a strong supporter of renewable energy, and he supports a statewide moratorium on data centers so that we can craft appropriate guardrails.

Charlotte Little
HD68

Charlotte Little is a member of San Felipe Pueblo and is Vice Chair of the State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee. She sponsored the bill to protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare that became law, and access to healthcare generally is a priority for her. She sponsored the law that requires disclosure that a political advertisement has been altered or created by AI and that prohibits political ads that show people making statements or engaging in conduct that they did not say or do. Rep. Little has a 100% lifetime CVNM voting score.

County and municipal contested races

Bernalillo County

Eric Olivas, Bernalillo County Commission District 5

Doña Ana County

Daisy Maldonado, Doña County Commission District 1

Constitutional amendments

Rio Grande Chapter endorses a YES vote on three constitutional amendments.

The Chapter has endorsed the following three constitutional amendments and urges you to vote “yes” on these measures.

Constitutional Amendment 1 – Repeal Pocket Veto – vote YES
This amendment would do away with the pocket veto and reverse the result of not signing a bill. If this passes, a bill would become law if the governor did not take any action on the bill. The amendment requires a “substantive explanation” of any veto.

The governor should be required to inform residents why a measure passed by the Legislature is being vetoed.

Constitutional Amendment 2 – School board election dates – vote YES
This amendment would repeal the NM constitutional requirement that school board elections be held at different times than partisan elections and let school board elections be held at the same time as statewide and federal elections.

Holding school board elections at the same time as statewide and federal elections would increase participation in school board elections.

Constitutional Amendment 4 – Legislative compensation – vote YES
This constitutional amendment would provide a salary for legislators starting in 2029. The salary would be set at and adjusted to the median salary in the state, currently about $67,800.

Making this a salaried position would allow people who otherwise could not afford to run for Legislature to do so.

We need legislators who have paid time to work on complex, technical legislation that can be key to the future of our state.

Word to the wise: Early voting is election protection

Ellen Loehman — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:24:02 +0000

Richard Barish, Chair, Political Committee, richardbarish@gmail.com

President Trump has been signaling for months that he intends to undermine the November election. He has taken actions to try to do this, for instance, by seeking to restrict mail-in voting. We can expect he will do everything he can to keep eligible voters from casting their ballots and to prevent valid votes from being counted so his corruption can continue without oversight from Congress.

We do not know how Trump’s actions will affect us here in New Mexico. We can be confident that our Secretary of State and Attorney General will do everything they can to protect our vote. However, as individuals we also need to take all prudent actions to ensure everyone’s vote is counted. This article will address what you can and should do to protect the vote.

Check your registration often

NM has strict statutory guidelines that govern the removal of voters from the voter rolls, so it is unlikely you will be removed. But the safest course is to check your registration. It’s easy to do that at nmvote.org.

Early in-person voting is election protection

Election day is when you are most likely to encounter problems with in-person voting. But you can’t be affected by problems at polling sites on Election Day — or by problems with mail ballots — if you vote early and in-person. New Mexico has lots of sites for early in-person voting with accommodating hours. Put a date and backup date to vote early and in-person on your calendar, and bring friends and family with you. Encourage others to vote early. You can find voting times and locations at your county clerk’s website, which you can find at nmvote.org.

Key dates for early voting
October 6 – Early voting begins at your county clerk’s office (the clerk’s annex in Bernalillo County)
October 17 – Early voting begins at other locations in your county
October 31 – Last day of early voting

If you must vote by mail, make sure your ballot is in the mail early

On September 14, the Supreme Court denied Trump’s request for an emergency order that would allow him to set the rules for who gets to vote by mail. As a result, voting by mail is an option. If you do vote by mail, and if you are not on the permanent mail ballot list, request your mail-in ballot early (TODAY, for instance). You can request a mail-in ballot at nmvote.org.

Fill your ballot out right away once you get it. Your best option is to return it yourself to a dropbox or to an early or election day polling site. If you have to mail your ballot, get it in the mail early. You won’t be affected if there are problems with the mail near Election Day if you put your ballot in the mail early. Also, be certain to fill it out correctly so it won’t be rejected.

Key dates for mail-in voting
October 6– Clerks begin mailing out ballots
October 20 – Applications must be received by your county clerk
November 3 – Election Day, County clerk must have the ballot in-hand by 7 p.m.

Want to help out?

Be a poll monitor on election day
Poll monitors keep an eye on polling sites from the outside, report problems and help voters with voting issues. If you can, sign up for training and two-hour shifts organized by Common Cause NM.

Be ready for a sustained mobilization, if needed after the election, to enforce the results

In the interest of covering all eventualities, you should know what to do if Trump does send troops or ICE to polling sites or interferes with the counting of ballots anywherein the country, or if he or his lackeys refuse to seat Democrats who were duly elected to serve in the US House of Representatives. If demonstrations become necessary, please look for additional details on our Facebook page or your local Indivisible group.

Make sure you vote!
Political strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio says “your vote is your ICE whistle.” It is also how you act to protect our public lands, keep unwanted data centers out of our communities, protect science and so much more. Be sure to vote yourself and try to make sure your family members and friends vote, too.

I am hopeful our democracy will survive. I hope I can look back in January after a new Congress is sworn in and have a good laugh at how needlessly worried I was. But if that is going to happen, we all need to do our part to zealously protect the election in November.

Fall 2026 Outings

Ellen Loehman — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:20:58 +0000

Outings are normally free and open to non-members, although we do like it if you join the Club to increase our local and national clout.

Events can be also found on our event calendar, and many on the Chapter Meetup site. The Santa Fe Group outings are listed on their Meetup site. Remember that outings may be added or changed as the season progresses.

Important! We rely on participant self-screening to ensure an outing that is safe and appropriate for all. We will do our best to detail the outings so you can decide if your fitness level and experience are fitting. Some things to consider are the elevation:

Are you acclimatized to the stated elevations expected?
Are you recovering from sickness or medical procedure or taking any medication or have a recent change of medication that may reduce or impact your fitness and ability?
Do you have any issues or concerns that might impact you and possibly the whole group’s safety?

Please contact the outing leader with any questions or concerns.

Sign-up using the link below each listing. This link will take you to the calendar event listing with more information and registration.

October 2026

Friday, October 2 — The Story of the Crash of TWA Flight 260, 70 Years Ago, 7:15-8:30 p.m. We’ll hear the story of the Crash of TWA Flight 260. Terry Owen, an outdoor adventurer and outings leader, will share the story of the crash that occurred on Feb. 19, 1955 in the Sandia Mountains and the memorial hike to the crash site. Enjoy a beverage and snacks as well as a great evening with like-minded friends
Leader: Terry Owen
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque (Sierra & Beer)
RSVP for this event

Friday, October 9 — Zero Waste Tour of Solutions Compost, Soil and Mulch,. 10- 11:30 am. Come see how this soil business has changed in the last two years. Hopefully we will get to see how the Denali machine separates food from packaging.
Leader: Laurie Zunner, lmzunne@gmail.com
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event

Saturday, October 10, Salinas Pueblo National Monument Tour, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. We will visit two of the three distinct sites, Quarai and Abo, offering a glimpse into a unique time in history. These sites offer a quiet place to reflect on history, local archaeology and the Land of Enchantment. This outing affords abundant photo opportunities with time to walk about, maybe finding inspiration for a quick poem or a quick sketch. Wear comfortable attire and sturdy shoes. Bring clothing layers, hats, sunscreen,water and a picnic lunch. Total combined walking distance is one mile, at about 6,000- feet. elevation, 50 feet of elevation change. Please consider the health of others if you are experiencing any symptoms of being ill. No dogs, except service animals on leash. Youth 10 and older welcome with accompanying responsible adult. Those who wish to carpool are responsible for making their own arrangements and any reimbursement to the driver with whom they travel.
Leader: June Parsons
Level: Easy and accessible
Location: Mountainair (carpool from Albuquerque)
Register for this event no later than October 3

Saturday-Sunday, October 17-18, Wilderness First Aid Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Rio Grande Chapter os sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid course. This course is in high demand and typically fills up months in advance. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course is a two-day training for anyone who spends time hiking, skiing, engaging in other outdoor pursuits or just wants to know what to do when things go wrong. The course is a blend of lecture, demonstrations and scenarios. Students will have ample opportunity to practice skills in life-like situations, both as patients and caregivers. At the successful completion of the course, you will be certified or re-certified in Wilderness First Aid. Attendees must participate in all portions and all hours of the course and demonstrate understanding to obtain certification. Why should you attend? People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? If you’re ever more than an hour away from a hospital or one mile from any road, you need to know what to do. Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one — and maybe even save a life. For more information on SOLO’s curriculum, visit www.soloschools.com . Cancellation policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather. Signup restrictions: The minimum age to attend this course is 14 years old.
Coordinator: Debbie Bryant
Level: Easy
Location: Tijeras
Cost: Tuition is $200
Register for this event

Saturday, October 24 — Hike to the top of Cerro Grande, Santa Fe Meetup: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This beautiful out-and-back hike leads through an open forest of ponderosa, aspen and conifers to the top of Cerro Grande (the highest point in Bandelier). You will hike on the rim of the Valles Caldera and enjoy sweeping views into Valle Grande and beyond. Weather permitting, we’ll have at least a half hour on the top to rest, refuel and enjoy those views. If we’re lucky, we will hear bugling eElks and see the herds down in the valley. Bring binoculars, if interested. The trailhead is a one hour drive from Santa Fe. Hiking time is 3 or more hours. The hike is moderate with some short, steep parts. The total elevation gain is 1,300 feet in about 2.2 miles (round trip 4.5 miles), with the summit at 10,199 feet. The high altitude throughout hike can make it feel more challenging. The time stated above is when carpoolers will leave Santa Fe. If you choose to meet at the trailhead, please arrive by 9:30 a.m. Water and rain gear required. Bring a snack for the top if you want one. Any changes or cancellations will be posted through the Santa Fe Meetup. Dogs are not permitted in Bandelier.
Leaders: Lisa and Craig Hammond
Level: Moderate
Location: Bandelier Monument (carpool from Santa Fe)
Register on Santa Fe Meetup

Friday, October 30 — Acoma Sky City Pueblo Walking Tour, 10 a.m .- 4 p.m. Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Acoma Sky City Pueblo. It is a fantastic place to visit, wholly unique and you will experience years of history. Upon arrival we will begin with a walk through the visitor center, gift shop and museum. Then we will travel by Acoma Pueblo bus to the top of the inhabited mesa for a guided tour of the “city,” offering a glimpse into a millennia of unique human migration from Mesa Verde to Chaco to Acoma. Along the walking tour local artisans and residents explain and sell their unique handmade goods and traditional baked items. This Acoma site dates back over 1,000 years, the oldest continuously human-inhabited site in New Mexico. History will be shared by our guide throughout the walk. Acoma offers a quiet place in the sky with views many miles in the distance in every direction and an opportunity to reflect on its history and local archeology. This outing provides abundant photo opportunities outside of the mission church and graveyard. The walk takes about two hours. We will then visit and enjoy our packed lunches that we brought (although you can chance the visitor center cafe being open). Walking stick is suggested, and bring layers, hats, sunscreen, water and lunch. Ground will be uneven but less than 1-mile walk.
Leader: June Parsons
Level: Easy
Cost: There is a $25 contribution ($20 seniors) to the Pueblo purchased at the visitor center and museum.
Signup restrictions: No dogs except service animals. Kids 10 and older welcome if with a responsible adult. Register no later than Oct. 26.
Location: Acoma (carpool from Albuquerque)
Register for this event no later than October 26

November 2026

Sunday, November 1 – Fort Stanton Historic Site and BLM National Conservation Area. We’ll be leisurely touring the self guided Fort Stanton Historic Site grounds and hiking on BLM’s Fort Stanton North Trail (short carpool) to the Internment site of the SS Columbus crew at Fort Stanton during World War II. We’ll talk about the history of the area and the recent 2025 Camp Fire. Bring good hiking footwear and dress for the weather. No dogs please and appropriate for participants 18 years and older. Registration is limited to 10 people. RSVP no later than October 29th, 2026. The hike(s) will be no more than 3 miles with minimal elevation gain.
Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Easy
Location: Fort Stanton, east of Carrizozo, leader can connect participants for carpooling
Cost: first Sunday of every month – free admission for NM residents with ID – $7 for non-residents of New Mexico
Register for this event

Saturday, November 7 — Valley of Fires & Malpais, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Come join us for a leisurely morning hike enjoying the cool fall weather at the BLM Valley of Fires Recreation Area west of Carrizozo. We’ll be exploring one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. It was observed by the Indigenous people who inhabited the Tularosa Basin over 5,000 years ago. We will hike tThe Kipuka and Nature Trails as well as a quick scamper up to the overlook. There is minimal elevation gain and a little less than 3 miles of hiking. Please dress for cool weather with good supportive footwear. We’ll discuss the history and geology of the lava flow. The wildlife is notably melanistic, contrasting sharply with their pale-colored kin in the White Sand dunes to the south. Please note there is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle, or any federal interagency pass is also valid. No dogs and hike is appropriate for participants 18 years and older.
Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Easy
Location: Valley of Fires Recreation Area west of Carrizozo. Note: If carpooling from Albuquerque/Santa Fe is desired, the leader can assist in connecting participants.
Register for this event no later than November 5, limited to 10 people

Tuesday, November 17, Zero Waste Tour of the Surface Water Treatment Plant, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn how water from the Rio Grande is taken in and treated to become your drinking water. In an introduction, you will see the journey from the San Juan and Chama rivers to the Rio Grande and the treatment plant on a large floor model in the lobby. Then we will do a lot of walking, going in and out of buildings and climbing stairs, seeing different parts of the plant.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event

December 2026

Thursday, December 10, Zero Waste Tour of BARCO Recycling Facility, 9-10:30 a.m. Come see how all of our blue-bin recycling is sorted. Find out how much is actually recycled and get answers to moreother recycling questions. Must be able to climb stairs and not be bothered by a very noisy environment.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event, limit 10 people

Featured image – Pecos hike by Diane Owens

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Responds to Haaland Data Center Announcement

Ellen Loehman — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:42:22 +0000

September 17, 2026

Contact: Camilla Feibelman, camilla.feibleman@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Responds to Haaland Data Center Announcement

“New Mexico’s progress on curbing climate pollution stands to be erased by massive data centers that emit more greenhouse gases than our largest cities. These facilities also deplete our water resources, harm our quality of life and could massively increase electric bill affordability. We support a moratorium on data centers until serious and enforceable guardrails are in place. Today we were encouraged to see gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland announce that she’d enact a moratorium on her first day, if elected, and support guardrails in the legislature. Our communities shouldn’t have to fight alone to protect themselves. Now that the Supreme Court has allowed Project Jupiter’s Air Pollution Permit process to go forward, this kind of policy is more important than ever.”
— Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter

Paid for by the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter PAC.

“Roadless Rule” Town Halls across New Mexico

Ellen Loehman — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 18:36:30 +0000

Contact: Bill Rodgers
Communications, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
(330) 881-9918 | bill.rodgers@sierraclub.org

“Roadless Rule” Town Halls across New Mexico

Trump’s Forest Service has moved to repeal the Roadless Rule, an essential piece of environmental regulation that protects 45 million acres of pristine land (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) from road construction and the inevitable logging, mining, and extraction that follows. The administration is attempting to suppress public input on this 25 year-old rule with a truncated comment period and no public meetings. So, the Wilderness Society, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, and the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter are holding our own across the state to activate people and collect tens of thousands of comments gathered on sc.org/roadlessrule.

Meeting locations, dates and registration

Santa Fe – 6 p.m. September 8 @ Tumbleroot Brewery [register]
Albuquerque – 6 p.m. September 9 @ Barelas Community Center [register]
Silver City – 5:30 p.m. September 15 @ Besse Forward Global Resource Center, corner of 12th and Kentucky [register]
Las Cruces – 6 p.m. September 15 @ the WIA Building [register]
Pecos – 5:30 p.m. September 16 @ the Pecos Municipal Building [register]
Virtual zoom hearing – 6 p.m. September 16 [register]

Download the flyer
Sign the petition

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Statement on Gutting of Federal Roadless Rule

Ellen Loehman — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:22:21 +0000

August 18, 2026

Contact: Bill Rodgers (he/him)
Communications, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, (330) 881-9918 | bill.rodgers@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Statement on Gutting of Federal Roadless Rule

Forests, Water Resources, Communities at Risk as Comment Period Opens

ALBUQUERQUE – On Tuesday U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the U.S. Forest Service had filed a proposed rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

If the Roadless Area Conservation Rule is repealed, 45 million acres of pristine national forests across the country (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) would be opened up for the first time in more than 20 years to road building and the logging, mining, and extractive industries that come with that. These lands are not only key recreation areas for New Mexicans, but they are the source of clean water for communities around the State.

The filing touches off about one month of public comments. Public comments will be accepted until midnight on Sept. 21 and local organizations will lead town hall hearings throughout the state to be announced in the coming month. Though the Trump administration has demonstrated a willingness to steamroll public land protections, the Roadless Rule remains very popular, with more than 600,000 people voicing their support in comments last year. The New Mexico congressional delegation is in strong support of the rule as well, issuing a letter to the administration in September 2025 to demand New Mexico be exempt from any Roadless repeals.

It is the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter’s goal to demonstrate to this hostile administration and their cronies in extractive industries that New Mexicans will not allow their lands to be given away and despoiled.

“We are asking residents to sign our action alert and add their names to the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who want their lands to remain protected. The Chapter encourages New Mexicans who feel discouraged to remember this regime will not be in power forever, and action today puts us in a better position to work with future administrations whose priorities are in line with the will of the people,”
said Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

A comment period was organized to receive public input on the Trump administration’s proposal to revoke the Roadless Rule, a policy enacted in 2001 that protects nearly 60 million acres of national forests across 36 states and Puerto Rico. In June 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the administration’s plan to repeal the rule, which would open these wild landscapes to roads and development. A brief public comment period was held in fall of 2025 and received more than 600,000 comments – 99% of which supported retaining the Roadless Rule.

The two-decade-old rule protects against new roadbuilding and the extractive industries that roads can lead to, such as logging and mining, in backcountry forestlands that have been undisturbed by major development. During the process that resulted in the original 2001 rule, the U.S. Forest Service held more than 600 public meetings over the course of 18 months to help inform the policy.

Roadless forests offer people a wide range of recreational activities, provide wildlife with much-needed habitat and range connectivity, and protect the headwaters of rivers which are vital for maintaining clean drinking water nationwide. Rescinding the Roadless Rule nationally would increase logging and other destructive, extractive development in public forests that currently function as intact ecosystems to benefit wildlife and people alike.

■ ■ ■

Read the proposed rule change
Roadless areas web page
Sign the Sierra Club action alert

Stop Trump from Desecrating the Greater Chaco Landscape

Ellen Loehman — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:42:23 +0000

Contact: Bill Rodgers, Communications, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
(330) 881-9918 | bill.rodgers@sierraclub.org

Stop Trump from Desecrating the Greater Chaco Landscape

Removal of buffer exposes communities and sacred landscapes to oil and gas extraction

SANTA FE — The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter is joining our Pueblo, Diné, and Tribal neighbors as well as other environmental and community groups in opposing Trump’s plan to expose the Great Chaco Landscape to oil and gas drilling.

“New Mexicans have said over and over again, in no uncertain terms, that our sacred landscapes and public lands must be protected. Chaco means so much to so many: those who originate from these lands, those who have found our homes here, and those who visit. We will continue to comment and to protest until our call for the protection of the Greater Chaco landscape and its communities are protected.” Diane Reese, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Chair.

Late Wednesday night, Trump’s Bureau of Land Management moved to remove a 10-mile buffer zone that protects the Greater Chaco Region from new oil and gas leasing. This came a day after the administration attempted to slash protections for the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, apparently to also allow for expanded mining and drilling.

Chaco Canyon, whose National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is sacred to Native peoples in the region. The broader ancestral landscape outside of the park boundaries is already inundated with nearly 40,000 oil and gas wells that threaten land, air, water, sacred places, and public health. The buffer zone is critical to prevent damage to the thousand-year-old Chacoan architecture, as well as harm to the irreplaceable cultural resources throughout the landscape. The buffer zone also offers needed protection to the health and wellbeing of tribal communities in the area.

“The Trump administration’s move devastates cultural heritage and hands tribal and public lands to oil companies harming our irreplaceable history. As we saw in April, the administration is trying to sneak this past with a truncated public-comment period. The administration offered just seven days for scoping in April, bridging the Easter holiday when many people are with their families, but nevertheless New Mexicans and people across the country responded with more than 100,000 comments,” continued Reese.

Our coalition is asking for New Mexico’s help again. Please take a moment to submit a comment opposing Trump’s “environmental assessment” and tell his administration that these are not his lands to sell out to his cronies in the oil and gas industry. That link is here: Sc.org/chaco. The deadline to comment is midnight, July 29, 2026.

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Summer 2026 Outings

Ellen Loehman — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:44:10 +0000

Outings are normally free and open to non-members, although we do like it if you join the Club to increase our local and national clout.

Are you acclimatized to the stated elevations expected?
Are you recovering from sickness or medical procedure or taking any medication or have a recent change of medication that may reduce or impact your fitness and ability?
Do you have any issues or concerns that might impact you and possibly the whole group’s safety?

Please contact the outing leader with any questions or concerns.

Sign-up using the link below each listing. This link will take you to the calendar event listing with more information and registration.

We look forward to seeing you outside. We have quite varied offerings this season. More outings will be added, so please check these links periodically. We rely on participant self-screening to make sure outings are safe and appropriate for all. We do our best to detail the descriptions so you can decide if your fitness level and experience are appropriate.
– Debbie Bryant, Chapter Outings Chair

Notes

Do you like to hike? Would you like to lead hikes? If so, please consider becoming a Sierra Club outings leader. Contact Debbie Bryant (bryade@gmail.com) for details.
Gauging interest in a second “Introduction to Backpacking” class this year. New Mexico has thousands of miles of trails waiting for you. Whether you want to get away for a weekend of solitude with your family or solo thru-hike from Mexico to Canada, adventure is, literally, right in our backyard. Perhaps you’re merely curious and not quite sure how to begin backpacking or even if it’s for you? This one-day class is always at capacity, so we are considering holding a second class this year. This clinic is designed for those who have never shouldered a backpack as well as those who just want to learn how to safely hike in the backcountry. If you are interested, please email Terry Owen (teowen@comcast.net).

July 2026

Friday, July 10 – Nambe Lake hike. Keep your eyes on the Santa Fe Sierra Club Meetup group as they do some beautiful hikes and this is just one example. The trail is 6.5 miles roundtrip with 2,000 ft elevation gain. The majority of the trail runs up along the creek, making this a very pleasant experience. When you get to the alpine lake, you will be stunned how beautiful it is. Well worth the hike up! The group will accommodate a range of hiking paces. There will be an option to eat and rest at leisure or take some of that break to hike around the lake before hiking back.
Leaders: Alan Shapiro and Glenn Wohl
Level: Moderate/Strenuous
Location: Windsor Trailhead, Santa Fe
Details and sign-up on the Santa Fe Sierra Club Meetup site.

Wednesday, July 15 – Green Book Club. 6-7:30 pm. Join the Green Book Club to read and discuss a wide range of books that address different facets of green advocacy. This month’s choice is Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring.” Originally published in 1962, “Silent Spring” is an exploration of the dangers of DDT as it accumulated upwards in the environmental hierarchy, especially in birds. It was landmark advocacy writing that led to revolutionary changes in the laws and regulatory procedures affecting our land, air and water. The questions Carson raised are with us today in every discussion of how much of substance X can be released into the environment, who it will impact and who pays the costs (think in NM of “processed water”). Please bring your coffee and your book.
Leader: Robert Grant
Location: Albuquerque office, 2501 Yale Blvd SE Suite 104, Albuquerque
Register for this event

Saturday, July 18 – Ruidoso – Eagle Creek Trail at Alto Lakes. 9am-1pm. Join us for a short brisk hike through the cool pines of Ruidoso. Our hike starts at the Alto Lake Parking lot & we’ll take a leisurely 2 mile round trip hike along and behind Alto Lake, and we might catch a glimpse of some wild horses or elk. This trail is used by bird watchers and hosts several songbirds, ducks and hawks. The Eagle Creek Trail has a minimal elevation gain and we’ll discuss a little of its hydrology. We will also discuss & view two drinking ground water wells along the trail. This area has several drinking water wells that the Water Dept. for the Village of Ruidoso uses for public consumption. We will discuss a little about the water system and how it is maintained and sent into distribution and storage. Finally we will discuss EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements, laws, sampling & testing, public notice issues and Consumer Confident Reporting. No dogs. Bring: water, snack, foul weather gear, binoculars
Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Moderate
Location: Ruidoso
Register for this event by July 16. Limit 8 people.

Saturday July 25 – Annual Member Appreciation Picnic. Sierra Club members and friends are invited to join us for a potluck of yummy offerings, plus panoramic views, bird watching, fresh air and sunshine!
When: July 25, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Capulin Springs Picnic Area in the Cibola National Forest. For details, visit http:www.rec.gov
Some highlights – This picnic site is surrounded by heavily wooded land that affords shade to escape the heat of the day. The spring at Capulin Spring runs year-round and is a much visited spot by birders, especially in the dry season because thirsty birds flock to this area for a nice, cool drink of water. Bring a potluck offering to share.
Organizer: Susan Gorman
Location: Sandia Mountains
Register for this event

August 2026

Saturday, August 1 – Cienega Nature Trail QiGong Walk. 10am-noon. Have you noticed there are fewer wildflowers? Want to learn more about this? Join us in the lower Sandias to observe and discuss. We’ll learn a simple walking practice that allows us to slow down and deeply absorb nature’s messages and calm. QiGong is related to Tai Chi and after practice on paved trails, we’ll observe what is in bloom in this lush green meadow and see what insect pollinators are out. Along with nature illustrator and QiGong practitioner Laurie Lange, we will note how the drought has decreased our wildflowers and the severity of the loss. Not suitable for those with balance issues; long pants and closed toe shoes required. This will be less than a one-mile walk. Young adults encouraged; youth with parent or legal guardian.
Leader: Diane Reese
Level: Easy
Location: Sandia Mountains near ABQ Cienega Nature Trailhead
Register for this event

Sunday, August 2 – Valles Caldera South Mountain Hike. 7am-3pm The South Mountain Trail in Valles Caldera is lovely and very peaceful. We will walk from the second (inner) visitors center through a forested section and up to a mountain meadow. This trail is eight miles with 1,200 ft elevation gain, ending up about 10,000 feet up. If you are wanting to enjoy life and increase your fitness at the same time, this hike might be for you. Please note that there is not much cell service on the way there/back; we can convoy. Also you will need to pay for parking or have a national park pass. Completing a medical form is required as this is considered a backcountry hike. You will need to show it to the hike leader, then put it in your pack for future use.
Leader: Debbie Bryant
Level: Moderate/ strenuous
Location: Valles Caldera
Register for this event

Thursday, August 13 – Zero Waste Tour of ABQ Computer and Electronics Recycling, 10-11:30am. Almost anything with a cord or cable can be recycled at this business as well as phones. Larger items do require a fee. See how all data is wiped from devices. They also refurbish computers, laptops, etc. and sell them at reasonable rates.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event by August 11.

Saturday, August 15 – South Fork Trail #19 and Placer Gold Sifting in the Lincoln National Forest. 9am-3pm. We’ll be hiking Trail #19 that follows the South Fork of the Rio Bonito above the closed South Fork Campground. We’ll discuss the devastating 2012 Little Bear Fire, the historic original and present Bonito Pipeline and history of the Nogal Mining District and discovery of gold and other mineral resources starting back in 1865. Be prepared for weather and stream crossings with an approximate 250 ft elevation gain and 3-4 miles of hiking. We’ll also spend some time placer gold sifting, so bring your kit. They are available locally at Big Five Sporting Goods and on Amazon with lots of info on YouTube. Bring sandals. sunscreen and lots of enthusiasm. This is a six-hour event, so bring lunch/snacks and sturdy hiking boots/poles etc. No dogs please; appropriate for participants 18 years and older.
Leader: John Pijawka
Level: Moderate
Location: Near Ruidoso
Register for this event no later than August 13

Thursday, August 20. Green Book Club. 6-7:30pm. Join the Green Book Club to read and discuss a wide range of books that address different facets of being green. This month’s choice is Dan Nott’s non-fiction graphic book “Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day.” Published in 2023, the book details the historical development, decision-making processes, costs and benefits of the Internet, electric grid and water systems. The book won several awards for its STEM-based explanations and teaching value. The analysis is environmentally based. For NM-based people, the water systems section will be particularly interesting. Please bring your coffee and your book. We will have some snacks.
Leader: Robert Grant
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque office, 2501 Yale Blvd SE Suite 104
Register for this event

Saturday, August 22 – Migrating Birds Along the Animas River. 9am-11:30am. The Farmington Riverside Trail has been said to be the best thing in Farmington. Let’s look for more migrating birds along the Animas Riverwalk. This is a pleasant stroll, and at least one birdwatcher was heard to brag they have seen up to 34 species at this location. Dress for the weather. 18 year olds or above only. No pets please. Bring water and snacks in order to chat after the hike.
Leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Farmington Riverside Nature Center
Register for this event

September 2026

Saturday, September 5 – Fall Birds Along the Animas. The Farmington Riverside Trail has been said to be the best thing in Farmington. Let’s look for more migrating birds along the Animas Riverwalk. This is a pleasant stroll, and one birdwatcher was heard to brag they have seen up to 34 species at this location. Dress for the weather. 18 year olds or above only. No pets please. Bring water and snacks in order to chat after the hike.
Leader: Mike Foster
Level: Easy
Location: Farmington Riverside Nature Center
Register for this event

Tuesday, September 22 – Zero Waste Tour of the Surface Water Treatment Plant. 10am-noon. Learn how water from the Rio Grande is taken in and treated to become your drinking water. In an introduction, you will see the entire journey from the San Juan and Chama Rivers to the Rio Grande and the treatment plant on a large floor model in the lobby. Then we will do a lot of walking, going in and out of buildings and climbing stairs, seeing different parts of the plant. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Bring a hat, water bottle and your questions. This tour is dependent on a good monsoon season to bring the water level in the Rio Grande high enough for the plant to operate.
Leader: Laurie Zunner
Level: Easy
Location: Albuquerque
Register for this event by September 20. Limit 16 people.

Looking ahead

Saturday, October 10 – Salinas Pueblo National Monument Tour. 9am-5pm.Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. We will visit two of the three distinct sites, Quarai and Abo, offering a glimpse into a unique time in history. These sites offer a quiet place to reflect on this history, local archeology and the Land of Enchantment. This outing affords abundant photo opportunities with time to walk about, maybe finding inspiration for a quick poem or a quick sketch. We’ll meet at the Lowe’s parking lot, 12th Street, Albuquerque, then proceed by our vehicles’ caravan on I-40 East to Tijeras, then head south on NM-337. Wear comfortable attire and sturdy shoes. Bring clothing layers, hats, sunscreen, water and a picnic lunch. Total combined walking distance about one mile at about 6,000 feet elevation with about 50 ft of elevation change. Please consider the health of others if you are experiencing any symptoms of being ill. No dogs, except service animals on leash. Youth 10 and older are welcome with an accompanying responsible adult. Those who wish to carpool are responsible for making their own such arrangements, and any reimbursement to the driver with whom they travel.
Leader: June Parsons
Level: Easy
Location: Mountainair
Register no later than October 3.

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 24- 25 — Wilderness First Aid Course (all day)
The Rio Grande Chapter of Sierra Club is sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid course, specially geared toward our members.This course is in high demand and typically fills up months in advance. Our instructor has had many years experience teaching this class. Why attend? People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? If you’re ever more than an hour away from a hospital or one mile from any road, you need this class. Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one — and maybe even save a life. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course is a two-day first aid course that provides training for anyone who spends time hiking, skiing, engaged in other outdoor pursuits or just wants to know what to do when things go south. The course is a blend of lectures, demonstrations and scenarios. Students will have ample opportunity to practice skills in life-like situations, both as patients and caregivers. At the successful completion of the two-day course, you will be certified or re-certified in Wilderness First Aid. Attendees must participate in all portions and hours of the course and demonstrate understanding to obtain certification.
Organizer: Debbie Bryant
Price: $200 per person.
Location: TBD, Albuquerque area
Class times: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day
Register for this event

Featured image – bike ride to Valle de Oro

New Mexico modernizes oil, gas industry bonding, cleanup rules, now among nation’s strongest

Ellen Loehman — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:31:25 +0000

For immediate release
July 1, 2026

Contacts:
Tannis Fox, Western Environmental Law Center, 505-629-0732, fox@westernlaw.org
Robyn Jackson, Diné C.A.R.E., 505-862-4433, robyn.jackson@dine-care.org
Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson, Earthworks, 507-421-9021, andrewfg@earthworks.org
Bill Rodgers, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, 330-881-9918, bill.rodgers@sierraclub.org

New Mexico modernizes oil, gas industry bonding, cleanup rules, now among nation’s strongest

Commission vote ensures corporations pay to clean up wells

Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission voted Wednesday to reform outdated oil and gas bonding and cleanup rules, adopting some of the strongest safeguards in the country to prevent orphan wells and ensure oil and gas corporations pay to clean up the wells they drill and operate.

“This decision comes down to the simple idea most New Mexicans agree on: If you drill it, you clean it,” said Tannis Fox, senior attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center. “After a thorough, evidence-based process, the Commission acted to protect our water, our communities, and our state budget – ensuring the public isn’t left paying for industry’s messes.”

The Commission’s decision followed months of hearings, expert testimony, legal briefing, and negotiations among parties. In its deliberations, the Commission largely affirmed the legal and evidentiary basis for modernizing New Mexico’s bonding system and adopted most of the reforms included in the parties’ negotiated agreement, including reaffirming that HB80 complements, but does not replace, a modernized bonding system.

Why It Matters

New Mexico faces between $700 million and $1.6 billion in current and near-future oil and gas well cleanup liabilities, according to state data, with nearly 700 wells already abandoned and more than 4,400 likely to be abandoned in the near term.

When wells are not properly plugged, they can leak methane and toxic chemicals into the air and groundwater, threatening the climate, public health, drinking water, agriculture, and nearby communities.

State data show the average cost to plug a well is approximately $163,000, yet outdated rules have allowed operators to post bonds for far less – leaving taxpayers exposed when corporations walk away or go bankrupt.

What the Rules Do

The updated rules:

Update bonding requirements to $150,000 per well for oil and gas wells at highest risk of abandonment – including low-producing and inactive wells – more closely aligning with the Oil Conservation Division’s actual plugging costs.
Require operators with high-risk portfolios – more than 20% inactive wells – to post single-well bonding of $150,000 for all their wells, reducing the risk that large portfolios of aging wells are left without adequate cleanup funds.
Strengthen well transfer rules to prevent poorly funded or noncompliant operators from acquiring aging wells – a common pathway to well abandonment.
Require the most marginal wells (producing fewer than 90 barrels of oil equivalent in 12 months) to demonstrate they still serve a useful purpose or properly plug them.
Tighten rules for inactive wells by requiring operators to show wells will return to production in the future, preventing non-producing wells from lingering indefinitely without cleanup.

Frontline and Community Voices

“After more than a century of living with oil and gas operations and seeing the remnants of aging infrastructure across Diné communities in the San Juan Basin, our communities know what happens when corporations fail to clean up after themselves,” said Robyn Jackson, executive director of Diné C.A.R.E. “These stronger rules are an important step toward ensuring oil and gas corporations are responsible for protecting our water, air, lands, and communities.”

“New Mexicans have been clear: Corporations should clean up the wells they drill,” said Ahtza Chavez, chief executive officer at Naeva. “These rules move us closer to that standard by protecting our communities, our water, and making sure the public isn’t left paying for industry’s mess.”

“In Carlsbad, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when corporations don’t have the financial backing in place to fix problems they create,” said Haley Jones of Citizens Caring for the Future. “These rules are a practical step to make sure corporations clean up their wells so communities like ours aren’t left with the costs or the uncertainty.”

Broad Public Support

The decision reflects strong, statewide support:

89% of New Mexicans support requiring corporations to pay to clean up wells they drill
91% say industry should be financially responsible for cleanup
90% say protecting drinking water and public health is essential
Support spans political parties and regions across the state.

A Strong National Standard

With today’s vote, New Mexico establishes one of the strongest oil and gas regulatory systems in the nation to prevent orphan wells and ensure timely closure of inactive wells in the country, demonstrating that New Mexico is committed to protecting public health, safeguarding taxpayers, and requiring corporate responsibility.

Looking Ahead

The updated rules mark a major step toward preventing future abandoned wells and protecting New Mexico communities, land, air, and water. By requiring corporations to plan for cleanup upfront, the state reduces long-term environmental and financial risks. At its core, the decision reflects a simple principle: The people who drill and operate wells should be the ones who clean up.

In the coming weeks, the Oil Conservation Commission will issue a written Final Order and publish the rule in the New Mexico Register. Typically, rules become effective 30 days after publication in the Register.

Coalition Support

“Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) Education Fund congratulates the frontline and fenceline communities who have been pushing for better bonding and other oil and gas industry rules for decades,” said Doug Meiklejohn, water quality & land restoration advocate at CVNM Education Fund. “Hard-working New Mexicans and their families and communities are resilient–they deserve clean air, land, water, and good health. These new financial assurance rules are a significant victory that will help ensure oil and gas companies benefitting from our state’s resources will pay to clean up their mess.”

“Low-producing wells can actually be very high-polluting,” said Mandy Sackett, New Mexico lead campaigner for Earthworks. “I’ve documented emissions near schools, improperly functioning flares, and continuous leaks with zero accountability for harms to communities from Counselor to Carlsbad. The new rules make corporations that drill in New Mexico put real money toward cleanup, and that matters for every community I’ve worked in.”

“Orphaned oil and gas wells threaten public health and safety, the water we drink, and the climate,” said Adam Peltz, senior director and lead counsel for energy transition at Environmental Defense Fund. “Far too often, New Mexicans have been left to foot the bill for cleaning up after oil and gas companies, and the state faces billions of dollars in decommissioning risks from low- and non-producing wells. Today, New Mexico finalized reforms to right-size historically insufficient financial assurance, inactive well management and well transfer regulations in order to ensure all wells are plugged in a timely manner at the end of their useful life by their operators. We commend the state for its strong leadership on this critical issue.”

“All religious traditions believe caring for Earth is an ethical and moral responsibility. The oil and gas industry has a responsibility to Earth, our communities, health, and future generations. These state bonding rules are a small way to be responsible and address pollution and harm in favor of the sacredness of Life,” said Sister Joan Brown, community advocate at New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power and Light.

“New Mexico families deserve clean air and the assurance that corporations, not hardworking families, are responsible for cleaning up the wells they drill,” said Celerah Hewes on behalf of Moms Clean Air Force. “These stronger protections help safeguard children’s health, reduce harmful methane pollution, and ensure communities across our state are not left with the long-term costs and consequences of abandoned oil and gas wells.”

“When oil and gas companies walk away from cleanup obligations, the costs fall to taxpayers, putting stress on local governments and diverting public revenue away from schools, infrastructure, and essential services,” said Jessica Pace, program director at Western Leaders Network. “By modernizing the state’s bonding program, the Commission establishes New Mexico as a national leader, holds industry accountable for its own mess, and stands up for the natural resources that local elected officials and their communities rely on.”

“New Mexico is finally starting to align oil and gas bonding with the real-world costs and risks communities are already facing across the state,” said Rebecca Sobel, climate and health program director at WildEarth Guardians. “In 2025 alone, industry spilled over 38,000 times, releasing over 9.4 million gallons of toxic liquids across New Mexico. Stronger bonding matters because spills are active, recurring risks tied to aging infrastructure, repeat bad actors, and fracking waste contamination. Today’s vote moves New Mexico closer to a system where corporations, not the public, are responsible for the damage they create.”

“New Mexicans should not be left paying to clean up oil and gas pollution after companies move on. Strong bonding requirements help ensure that taxpayers are not stuck stuck footing the bill plugging wells and restoring land, and that those responsibilities stay with industry. Oil and gas operators should be responsible for cleaning up their mess after they privately profit from extracting public resources. As a parent, I want our public dollars invested in schools and health care, not spent cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells. Updated bonding requirements are an important step toward protecting our communities, our water, and our future,” said by Antoinette Reyes, Sierra club Rio grande chapter organizer.

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