New Mexico & El Paso
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.
Oil and gas supply and revenue are weapons used by Russian oligarchs and criminals, and our dependence on oil and gas is a threat to our national security. It is long past time to take away these weapons, which are subsidizing the war and creating the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, by accelerating our transition to clean energy. Wind and solar energy don’t fuel wars and violence.
Rio Grande Chapter Director Camilla Feibelman comments on the problems with NM’s oil boom budget.
New Mexico Wild and a coalition of conservation and environmental organizations released a recap of the New Mexico legislative session. Despite the legislative session being primarily devoted to budget issues, legislators missed an opportunity to provide full funding and staffing levels for state agencies that protect New Mexico’s air, land, water and wildlife. Even with a historic surplus in state revenues and a record-setting budget of $8.5 billion, the final budget fell almost $10 million short of the governor’s executive budget recommendations for NMED and EMNRD.