By Hannah Grover The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission adopted a rule Thursday on a 3-0 vote prohibiting the use of PFAS in completions and recompletions of oil and gas wells, including in fracking operations. WildEarth Guardians petitioned the OCC for the rulemaking in 2023. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been linked to a variety […]
Environment, Climate & Conservation
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Bill seeks to curb spread of screwworm
By Hannah Grover The spread of New World screwworms in Mexico has prompted a halt in the cross-border cattle, horse and bison trade, and now members of the U.S. Congress have introduced legislation they hope will curb the spread before the larval fly can decimate livestock in the United States. U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, […]
Posted inEdgewood, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Santa Fe County to host Wildfire Mitigation Community Education Day in Edgewood
Santa Fe County will be holding a Wildfire Mitigation Community Education Day in Edgewood at the Stan Holden Fire Station on May 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. This free event aims to provide residents, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and property owners with crucial information and practical resources to lessen wildfire risks and enhance preparation for […]
Washington Post
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, National News, Syndicated
Plastic may be warming the planet more than we thought
By Nicolás Rivers — Scientists have long known that making plastic warms the planet. But plastic may be heating the Earth even more than we realized, according to a report released Wednesday. The Plastics & Climate Project, a nonprofit research group that studies how plastic contributes to climate change, analyzed hundreds of published research papers […]
Washington Post
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, National News, Syndicated
EPA plans to weaken rule curbing forever chemicals in drinking water
By Amudalat Ajasa — The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it plansto rescind and reconsider limits on four “forever chemicals” under a landmark drinking water standard implemented last year by President Joe Biden. The drinking water rules were adopted as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to limit public exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, New Mexico Statewide News
Water Quality Control Commission approves water reuse rule
By Hannah Grover The Water Quality Control Commission approved a rule Wednesday outlining requirements for wastewater reuse, including how produced water — a byproduct of oil and gas production — can be handled for reuse. The commission passed the rule on a 7-0 vote following two days of discussions. During the first day, the body […]
Posted inEast Mountains, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Haaland meets with land grant communities in East Mountains to discuss the protection of resources
By Kevin Hendricks Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and current New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland recently met with Land Grant communities in the East Mountains to discuss the protection of land rights, water and cultural traditions. During the meeting, Haaland stressed her commitment to safeguarding vital funding for rural infrastructure, wildfire resources, and […]
Posted inEdgewood, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Edgewood Dumpster Days event set for this weekend
Staff report The Town of Edgewood will hold its “Dumpster Days” community service event on Saturday, May 17. The event is exclusively for Edgewood residents, who will be required to show ID. Hours of operation are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If the dumpsters are not full, the event will reopen on Sunday […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Water Utility Authority urges conservation amid drought
By Hannah Grover Even though the Albuquerque area received rain last week, the drought conditions continue in New Mexico and water managers are urging residents to conserve. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, which provides drinking water to most of Bernalillo County residents with the exception of the East Mountains area, is facing limited […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, New Mexico Statewide News
State forester anticipates the southwest corner will be the ‘nexus’ for this fire season
By Hannah Grover New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is anticipating the southwest portion of the state may have the highest risk of wildfires this year, according to State Forester Laura McCarthy. McCarthy presented to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission this week as the state regulators look at ways they can best […]