April is Earth Month and everyday this week has felt like Earth Day. Help us celebrate the latest news and find out ways we could use your help.
Wow, that’s a lot
New Mexico communities win stronger air protections as environment board approves historic fee update
The New Mexico Environment Department’s Environmental Improvement Board approved a landmark update to its air quality permit fee structure that increases essential funding for inspections, monitoring, and enforcement.
Green Chile Pipeline Triggers Protest
On April 13, a coalition of environmental groups filed a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) challenging the Transwestern Pipeline Company’s attempt to fast-track the proposed Green Chile Pipeline. The 17-mile pipeline in Doña Ana County would provide gas to a new, massively-polluting power plant for the proposed “Project Jupiter” data center.
NM nears final rules strengthening oil and gas bonding and cleanup
Parties in the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) case to modernize oil and gas clean up and bonding rules filed their final post-hearing briefs on Friday, March 20, a key step as the OCC prepares to decide whether to update decades-old financial safeguards meant to prevent orphaned and abandoned wells.
Sierra Club Statement on Trump Administration’s Attempt to Expand Drilling at Chaco Canyon
The Trump administration began a 7-day Public Scoping period, the next step in its proposal to open the Greater Chaco Region to oil and gas drilling. The comment period is much shorter than the standard 30- or 60-day comment periods on leasing proposals.
Two Futures. One Vote.
In February, the New Mexico Senate defeated the Clear Horizons Act (SB18), a bill which would have codified greenhouse reduction goals that have worked successfully for eight years. This bill would have reduced our pollution to what it was in 2005, reaching net zero by 2050. Our campaign, “Two Futures. One Vote,” recognizes that we are standing at a crossroads.
Eleanor Eisenmenger, An Appreciation
On February 23rd we lost Eleanor Eisenmenger, a transplant from New York City, a music booster and connoisseur, animal lover and environmental champion. Her loss is deeply felt.
Remembering Eric Patterson
Eric passed away in December at the far-too-young age of 82, leaving behind his wife, Nora, sons Jason, Tad and Eric, four grandchildren and a newborn great-grandchild he met in November. His life of education, friendship, water-monitoring and joy was celebrated by many friends and family in January in Taos.
Support fair clean-air fees in New Mexico
March 23-25, the NM Environmental Improvement Board will hold a hearing on the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau proposal to modernize air quality permit fees — unchanged for more than 20 years. Let your voice be heard in support.
1,500 New Mexicans Agree: “NO to Project Jupiter’s Air Pollution”
3/5/26. Thousands of New Mexicans submitted signatures and comments opposing an air pollution permit for a massive methane gas power plant proposed to power the “Project Jupiter” AI data center in Doña Ana County.