If New Mexico’s 30-day legislative session ended at noon today with what felt like a series of big news and crashes and burns, that’s in part because lawmakers introduced and New Mexicans fought for some of the strongest and most transformational climate and democracy legislation in years, compressed into a crushing timeline that has always been inadequate to suit New Mexico’s needs.
Winter 2022 Outings
Get out and join us! Trips range from easy recycling facility tour to moderate bike-and-hike.
2021 Year in Review
Revisit some of the key environment- and justice-related events of 2021.
Fossil-fuel hydrogen a climate threat, not a solution
On October 5, a coalition of New Mexico community, environmental, and justice organizations warned state and federal lawmakers of the risks of diving head-first into fossil-fueled hydrogen projects. The groups’ letter provides guidance on the context and safeguards that must be enacted before hydrogen projects are considered in the San Juan Basin, and in New Mexico generally.The oil and gas industry has lobbied for billions in taxpayer funds for hydrogen in the coming federal infrastructure bill, and states, including New Mexico, are scrambling to win those funds for “hydrogen hubs.” But hydrogen derived from fossil gas presents significant climate and health dangers, driving new methane, carbon dioxide and other emissions as well as a massive new market for fracked gas, just when scientists tell us it is most urgent to dramatically scale back our consumption of fossil fuels.
NM groups to lawmakers: Fossil-fueled hydrogen a climate threat, not a solution
A coalition of New Mexico community, environmental, and justice organizations warned state and federal lawmakers of the risks of diving head-first into fossil-fueled hydrogen projects. The groups’ letter provides guidance on the context and safeguards that must be enacted before hydrogen projects are considered in the San Juan Basin, and in New Mexico generally. The oil and gas industry has lobbied for billions in taxpayer funds for hydrogen in the coming federal infrastructure bill, and states, including New Mexico, are scrambling to win those funds for “hydrogen hubs.” But hydrogen derived from fossil gas presents significant climate and health dangers, driving new methane, carbon dioxide and other emissions as well as a massive new market for fracked gas, just when scientists tell us it is most urgent to dramatically scale back our consumption of fossil fuels.
A Post-Legislative Balm
Join us on April 8 for a conversation and reading with journalist and author Laura Paskus and poet and author Michelle Otero.
Wins and losses for climate justice, lands and wildlife
Camilla Feibelman, camilla.feibelman@sierraclub.org, (505) 715-8388 Santa Fe, NM — The unique 2021 legislative session produced significant environment, climate and justice legislation, all of it signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “We saw legislators innovate and find ways to
2021 Legislative Priorities
The 2021 New Mexico Legislative session runs from January 19 through March 20. This post contains are summaries and links for some of our top priority bills.
Will a virtual session make real progress?
This is a complex moment for legislative transformation. On the one hand, New Mexicans are clearly communicating their desire for big, bold change. We demonstrated that in the elections, creating a progressive state Senate to go with our progressive House.
Outing of the Week: Las Conchas Trail
This is the hike that you’ll want to take any of your friends or family that don’t like to hike because it will quickly change their minds. This picturesque canyon features the East Fork of the Jemez River, tall grasses, a wide range of wildflowers, and towering ponderosas all framed by sheer granite walls that range from 60-120 feet high.