Rejection of climate measures is bad news for a livable climate
On April 7, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed every remaining significant climate-protecting measure the Legislature passed in 2023: HB412/SB22, HB32, SB173, SB45, and HB67 ...
Sierra Club El Paso Group statement on Castner Range designation as National Monument
On March 21, President Biden announced the designation of Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and Castner Range in Texas as the country’s newest national monuments. The designation provides permanent protection for roughly 514,000 acres of Nevada and Texas landscapes ...
Bridge to the Ancestors Walk - Permian Basin to TX Gulf Coast
March 25-April 1, the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas (Esto’k Gna) is holding a youth-led, week-long run and walk from the Permian Basin to the Rio Grande Valley to bring awareness to the harmful, exploitative and unjust impacts of extractive industries on their sacred lands. The event, titled Bridge to the Ancestors, will start with an opening ceremony on March 24th at Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans, TX. Over the next 10 days, tribal members will visit eight communities, culminating in a celebration on April 2 in Port Isabel, Texas ...
SB53: Banning Storage of High-Level Nuclear Waste
SB53 bans the storage or disposal of high-level nuclear waste in New Mexico under most circumstances. It passed the House on March 17, the last full day of the session, and was signed by the governor the same night! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who called your representatives and senators to encourage passage of this important law! ...
House Tax Committee package includes climate solutions

For immediate release: March 7, 2023

In response to passage of House Taxation and Revenue’s passage of HB547 on Monday, the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter’s Camilla Feibelman issued the following statement: 

The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter is grateful to Chair Lente and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee for including three critical climate-related House tax bills that will save New Mexicans money and improve our air, water and climate.  

HB412 helps New Mexico families purchase electric vehicles, which save drivers thousands of dollars a year in fuel and maintenance. Lower- and moderate-income New Mexicans received a higher $4,000 credit, which is refundable and transferable at point of sale. 

HB32 provides tax credits for New Mexicans who add energy-storage ...

Climate Justice rally at Roundhouse moved outdoors

For immediate release: Feb. 23, 2023

Advisory: Climate Justice Day rally moved outside Roundhouse today to accommodate COVID concerns

Today, New Mexico environmental and community groups will join legislators to call attention to important legislation protecting our climate and opening doors to thriving communities. Because of an apparent increase in COVID cases at the Roundhouse, the 1 p.m. rally will now be held outside, and some tables will be staged outside, but those who feel comfortable going inside will also learn how to lobby their legislators, get support in finding and connecting with them, and speak at committee hearings.  

Agenda: 

9 a.m.: Community groups, state and city agencies and solar companies will host informational tables. These tables will now be located ...

Industry report leaves out oil and gas health, water, climate damages
The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter issued the following statement in response to an economic report issued by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, which failed to include the industry’s well-documented economic costs and harms to New Mexicans’ health, water, and air quality. The Sierra Club is also supplying science-based facts to give the public a more complete understanding of oil and gas impacts in our state ...
Photo of NM legislature

By Luis Guerrero, Rio Grande Chapter legislative and political organizer

This year is a “long” 60-day New Mexico legislative session starting Jan. 17, and there will be many exciting opportunities for Sierra Club members to provide input and participate (sometimes late into the night!) in the process. Below are a few of the bills we will be advocating for or against in this legislative session:

CLIMATE & ENERGY

Climate Solutions and Just Transition 

This legislation will put into law aspects of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Executive Order on Climate Change and create a comprehensive framework for addressing climate change in New Mexico. Building on the Energy Transition Act, which focuses on the electricity sector, the Climate Action Act will likely ...