Visitors to opening weekend of the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta were greeted by an unexpected protest against the event’s main sponsor. Satirical protestors supported by WildEarth Guardians and the The Yes Men dressed as sales representatives of a fake oil and gas company, Exxtreme Energy, and offered samples of the company’s “new hydration and […]
Environment & Conservation
Stories related to our ongoing coverage of environmental issues in New Mexico.
Posted inMountainair
Forest Service announces fall prescribed burns
The U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed burns across central New Mexico this fall in areas near Mountainair through December. The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands announced plans for multiple controlled burns designed to reduce hazardous vegetation and protect communities from catastrophic wildfires. In the Mountainair Ranger District, crews are already burning piles covering […]
Posted inNew Mexico
New Mexico methane rules cut emissions by half compared to Texas, officials say
New Mexico’s methane regulations have reduced oil and gas facility emissions in the Permian Basin by half compared to neighboring Texas while generating $152 million for the state, according to satellite data released Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The findings, announced during U.S. Climate Week, show New Mexico’s methane intensity at 1.2% compared to […]
Posted inTorrance County
Flood advisory issued for Bernalillo and Torrance counties
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory effective until 6 p.m. Monday for portions of central New Mexico, specifically Bernalillo and northwestern Torrance counties. The advisory warns of arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall. As of 3:57 p.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain from thunderstorms, with 0.5 to 1 inch […]
Reader-supported
Secretary Noem visits Ruidoso to review disaster response progress
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the Village of Ruidoso in Lincoln County Tuesday to review progress in disaster recovery efforts following this summer’s historic flash flooding there. Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford and emergency management staff gave Noem a tour of the village, including several homes left uninhabitable and a village playground full of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Conservation
Companies to pay $63M for Navajo Nation uranium mine cleanup
Two major corporations have agreed to spend $63 million cleaning up uranium mine waste that has contaminated Navajo Nation land in New Mexico for more than four decades. United Nuclear Corporation and General Electric reached a settlement Tuesday with federal and state authorities requiring them to remove about one million cubic yards of radioactive waste […]
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99.7% of residents tested near Cannon AFB have PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in their blood
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Noah Gollin, New Mexico Political Report This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. Location: Clovis, New Mexico 626 of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Conservation, Town of Bernalillo
Free wildfire preparedness workshop set for Aug. 16 in Bernalillo
A free wildfire preparedness workshop aimed at helping residents protect their homes and develop emergency mindsets will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at El Zócalo Plaza in Bernalillo. The “Learning to Live with Wildfire” workshop, hosted by the Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District, will feature two wildfire experts […]
Posted inEnvironment & Conservation
Extreme heat wave to scorch New Mexico this weekend
New Mexico residents are bracing for a dangerous heat wave this weekend, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 107°F across northern and southern regions of the state through Sunday. The extreme weather conditions have prompted health officials to issue urgent safety warnings, particularly for vulnerable populations who face the greatest risk of heat-related […]
Posted inNew Mexico
On the Navajo Nation, the list of mystery wells continues to grow
This story was originally published by Capital & Main. By Jerry Redfern On a warm evening in early June, Loretta Johnson pointed her white Chevy Silverado with a Navajo blanket-patterned steering wheel cover south on the main road leading out of Shiprock, New Mexico, and hit the accelerator — lightly. The retired nurse drove herself and […]