New Mexico & El Paso
By the 1990s, it was apparent that Albuquerque and Bernalillo County did not sit over a water supply the size of Lake Michigan as previously thought. The Albuquerque Basin Aquifer was being depleted faster than it was able to recharge. River diversions were necessary to protect and maintain the longevity of the aquifer.
New Mexico conservation groups won a victory for public access to streams and rivers with a March ruling by the state Supreme Court.
PNM is planning to keep charging customers for San Juan Generating Station long after the polluting coal plant has stopped providing power to our homes.
In May, New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board considers Advanced Clean Cars standards that would require automakers to offer and sell increasing numbers of zero-emission vehicles, like electric vehicles, in New Mexico. If the board approves the proposal from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Environment Department, New Mexicans will see many more clean cars in dealerships and on the road, and residents will breathe dramatically healthier air.
The oil and gas industry continues to push for dangerous methane-fueled “blue” hydrogen, but New Mexicans showed up in force at the 2022 legislative session to quash numerous bills offering public funds for private hydrogen schemes masquerading as solutions.
During this year’s legislative session, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham backed the Hydrogen Hub Act to incentivize a hydrogen power industry in the state and put New Mexico in the running to access some of the $8 billion available from the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure bill set aside for so-called Hydrogen Hubs. But critics say that hydrogen production can actually increase our carbon footprint rather than reducing our carbon emissions. Listen to the interview.
Oil and gas production could be leading the world in climate change impacts brought on by pollution, per a recent international report that led to New Mexico environmentalists calling for reforms to fossil fuel policy.
San Juan County commissioners took a stance against a state and national land conservation initiative during their April 5 meeting in Aztec, voting 4-1 to pass a resolution opposing the so-called 30×30 plan.
The Greater Chaco Coalition and Citizens Caring for the Future jointly issued a statement condemning the Department of the Interior’s decision to resume oil and gas leasing on public lands across the United States, including in New Mexico.
Rio Grande Sierra Club outings for April-June 2022.