Ellen Loehman

Climate Coalition Petitions for Adoption of Clean Car Standard in 2021

A broad coalition of New Mexican citizen groups filed a petition with the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board today, asking the board to update its Advanced Clean Car Standards by the end of 2021. Updating and enforcing these rules is a critical step in resolving the climate crisis and protecting public health. The standards would limit air pollution from vehicle tailpipes and require auto manufacturers to deliver an increasing number of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) for sale in the region. The coalition filed a similar petition with the state Environmental Improvement Board in June.

50 New Mexicans to Testifying in EPA Methane Listening Session

On June 21, the Environmental Protection Agency will host the first of three listening sessions to engage the public as they begin to craft new rules to tackle methane and associated pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations.

Sierra Club Outings to Resume July 5th

After a sixteen month hiatus, the Rio Grande Chapter will once again be offering hikes, walks and tours beginning July 5th.

National Trails Day – June 5

Saturday, June 5th is National Trails Day! Here are some ways you can get engaged in your area.

We’re in the news: New Mexico Sustainability

On April 1, the NMSU Radio Station KRWG Newsmaker series features Camilla Feibelman, Director of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter to discuss how to make New Mexico more sustainable.

Senate Passes Resolution to Reinstate Methane Pollution Safeguards

April 27, 2021 Senate Passes Resolution to Reinstate Methane Pollution Safeguards Washington, DC — Today, the Senate passed (52-42) a resolution that would reinstate the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016 methane pollution safeguards for the oil and gas industry. The move

President Biden Boosts New Mexico’s Clean Car Efforts

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 26, 2021 President Biden Boosts New Mexico’s Clean Car Efforts New Rule Would Reaffirm New Mexico’s Authority to Set Stronger Vehicle Emission Standards, Helping to Protect the Climate, Improve Public Health, and Save Drivers Money

130+ Groups Urge Biden to Act on Methane

In a letter to the Biden administration, 134 environmental, public health, and advocacy organizations are urging President Biden to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use the full power of sections 111(b) and 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to reduce methane air pollution from new and existing sources of oil and gas development by 65% by 2025.

200 groups to Biden: Align federal fossil fuel programs with U.S. climate goals

Hundreds of Native American, religious, business and conservation organizations called on the Biden administration to do a comprehensive environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws to align federal fossil fuel programs with U.S. climate goals to curb global warming.

PNM cites ETA in proposing 100% solar and storage to replace nuclear

After announcing it would drop one of its leases in the Palo Verde Nuclear plant last year, this month PNM proposed replacing the energy with 100% solar and battery. In support of its proposal, PNM cited the Energy Transition Act’s requirements and the Public Regulation Commission’s decision last year to choose a 100% solar/storage proposal rather than PNM’s favored gas-inclusive replacement scenario for San Juan Generating Station coal. The replacement proposal will need to be approved by the commission.