The New Mexico Environment Department says more than 5% of New Mexicans that are served by drinking water utilities are receiving water that could potentially put their health at risk. There are more than 1,000 drinking water systems in the state that serve more than 2 million people. According to the environment department, nearly 14% […]
Environment, Climate & Conservation
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Advocates vow to continue ‘fight against the filthy oil and gas industry’ after appeals court dismisses pollution lawsuit
The New Mexico Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit this week that alleged the state had violated its constitutional duties to protect residents from pollution related to the oil and gas industries. The plaintiffs included residents of the San Juan and Permian basins and were represented by the Center for Biological Diversity. The lead plaintiff […]
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Vital worker protection or too rigid and burdensome? NM’s workplace heat protection rulemaking timeline extended
Cleveland Middle School teacher Sarah Hager isn’t the type of person to cry much. But as she faced five days without air conditioning in a sweltering classroom in August in Albuquerque, Hager broke down in tears. “I got in my car that afternoon and drove home crying the entire way,” Hager said during a press […]
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How reliable was your electric utility in 2024?
Officials from the Public Service Company of New Mexico say electricity was available for the average customer more than 99% of the time last year, however, there were outages, including ones in the East Mountains, Clayton, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Vegas. The three investor-owned electric utilities in New Mexico presented reliability metrics to the […]
Posted inCorrales, Environment, Climate & Conservation
The siphon standoff ends
During the Corrales Village Council meeting May 27, Pueblo of Sandia Gov. Felix Chaves told the council the Pueblo of Sandia and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District have reached a landmark agreement, clearing the way for construction to begin on the long-delayed Corrales siphon replacement project. The two sides signed off on a term […]
Posted inEdgewood, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Edgewood continues efforts to explore water utility
The Edgewood Town Commission is taking the next step in an effort exploring a possible water utility. The town will be scheduling a public hearing to discuss both the water utility and a solid waste ordinance. The date has not yet been set. Edgewood is not looking at acquiring the existing water utilities, but rather […]
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Drought Task Force activated as New Mexico faces severe drought conditions
The New Mexico Drought Task Force has begun implementing an executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declaring a state of emergency due to persistent and severe drought and escalating fire risk across New Mexico. The Task Force met today to begin implementing the order, which directs state agencies to take immediate action to mitigate […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Environment, Climate & Conservation, Sandoval County, Torrance County
Fire restrictions implemented in portions of 14 counties
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is implementing fire restrictions on public lands in the Albuquerque and Las Cruces districts amid drought conditions. The restrictions apply to lands in Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sandoval, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance and Valencia counties. These restrictions come on the back of the U.S. […]
Posted inEast Mountains, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Fire restrictions go into place Thursday
The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands announced this week that the Mountainair and Sandia ranger districts will enter stage II fire restrictions on Thursday, which will last through August. The announcement comes as the area experiences extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought conditions include increased fire risks as well as […]
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NMED unveils draft rule to reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels
The New Mexico Environment Department released a draft rule this week to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and petitioned the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt these regulations. The draft rule comes after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill in 2024 that required a gradual reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. […]