Ellen Loehman, Author at Rio Grande Chapter

Crashing oil industry hobbles NM

New Mexico has put itself into a box with its heavy reliance on oil and gas revenues — now approximately one-third of the state’s budget, a percentage that increased significantly after tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations were passed in 2003 and 2013. To be clear, the state’s economy is far broader than oil and gas, but we have failed to build a tax structure that is fair and resilient. In order to diversify our economy and build a just and equitable New Mexico we must hold Big Oil accountable. Revenues from oil and gas should be invested and used for limited projects rather than being put in the general fund.

A Piece of Ground on Which to Stand

Welcome to our virtual art show. This show features paintings by Dinah Norris Matchael.

My rise to action for Black Lives Matters

The pandemic has shed so much light on America for many, and it illuminates how there is no liberty and justice for all, as the Constitution states. I am purposely here now to fight for what is right because black lives matter as well as all lives.

What it’s like to live in an industry sacrifice zone

Some people call it economic diversity for Lea County, N.M. I recall the days when I would see a calm and dry desert scene common in this area, with cows and the occasional coyote or rabbit. Now I see red blinking lights and industrial activity.

Summer 2020 Outings

As you’re probably aware, all local Sierra Club outings are cancelled thru August 31st and we should learn more by mid-August if the moratorium on outings will be extended beyond that date. We remain optimistic and so we’ve posted outings

Poem: The Tour

This poem is about the original tour that led to Daniel Tso’s well-know fracking reality tour in Greater Chaco. Daniel recently was awarded the Sierra Club Distinguished Service Award.

Virtual Sierra Club & Beer

Join the Central NM Group on Friday, July 31 starting at 6:30pm, for our virtual Sierra Club and Beer. The featured talk is a USFWS update on the endangered silvery minnow. Bring your own beer.

Ruling reinstates Obama administration’s BLM Waste Prevention Rule

On July 16, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California invalidated the Trump Administration’s rollback of the Obama-era Waste Prevention Rule. This ruling means that the Waste Prevention Rule goes back in effect in 90 days, and the oil and gas industry will have to comply with the Rule’s requirements to prevent waste of gas on federal lands.

City of Albuquerque: Resolution R-20-65

The Albuquerque City Council is introducing legislation R-20-65 that would formally end the Albuquerque Police Department’s participation in the 1033 military equipment surplus program. The resolution is sponsored by Councilors Pat Davis and Lan Sena. A virtual public hearing will be held Thursday, July 16 starting at noon.

Court challenge: Feds cut out public on 40,802-acre NM oil and gas leases

Moving to protect the climate, public health, and to further environmental justice, a coalition filed suit to overturn the sale of leases on nearly 41,000 acres of public land in New Mexico for oil and gas drilling. The BLM did not allow a comment period on the lease sale’s draft environmental assessment, and held only a lightning-quick, 10-day protest period. In addition, the coalition charges that for this lease sale.