Here is a quick summary of the high and low points of the 2020 legislative session. We have much to celebrate and many to thank for their tireless efforts.
Session ends with Republicans stalling to save New Mexico from electric cars
Deadline tomorrow: Help NM slash climate-damaging methane waste
Just one day left to urge New Mexico to develop the strongest possible safeguards to reduce the oil and gas industry’s methane pollution It’s crunch time! Please raise your voice to urge the state to slash climate-damaging oil and gas
Breaking: Supreme Court rules that Energy Transition Act applies
On January 29, the New Mexico Supreme Court made a quick and unambiguous ruling that the Public Regulation Commission must apply the law of the land – last year’s landmark Energy Transition Act — to PNM’s case to retire San Juan coal plant.
Environment Day tomorrow: Resident speaks about fracking wastewater leak
Lobby trainings, speakers, hundreds of New Mexico grassroots activists highlight day of environmental advocacy at Roundhouse For immediate release: Jan. 27, 2020 Contact: Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter director, 505-715-8388 Lobby trainings, speakers, hundreds of New Mexico grassroots
Sierra Club endorses Teresa Leger Fernandez for U.S. House
The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club on Thursday announced that it has endorsed Teresa Leger Fernandez for the open U.S. House seat in New Mexico’s Third Congressional District.
NM community leaders applaud Oil Conservation Commission for adopting oil and gas enforcement rules
Community leaders across New Mexico applauded the Oil Conservation Commission for acting to protect the state’s air and water resources from oil and gas pollution by adopting new enforcement rules under legislation adopted in the 2019 session.
Chaco appropriation passed into law
In December, Congress passed an appropriations package that bans new oil and gas leasing for a year within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park until an ethnographic study for the region is completed. The Navajo Nation and pueblos will have significant control over the study, so this is a great step in the right direction.
Funding denial is key victory for Gila River
Gila River advocates received great holiday news Dec. 20 as the Department of Interior denied a deadline extension on the Gila River diversion, cutting off access to more than $50 million in construction funding for the project that would harm New Mexico’s last wild river and divert money from local communities with critical water supply needs.
Sierra Club expert: Renewables are best option to replace San Juan coal
Renewables and battery storage have become cheaper than coal power, and according to a Sierra Club expert, they are now cheaper and a better option for New Mexico than gas, as well.
For Give Back Tuesday, give the gift of your time
The upcoming week’s holidays include #OptOutside Day, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday. You can participate by volunteering your time and becoming part of a long and important Sierra Club legacy of grassroots activism. The Rio Grande Chapter is volunteer-led, and that corps