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. […]
Environment, Climate & Conservation
Hopes rise as Sandia Governor will discuss siphon progress at Corrales Council meeting
The Corrales Siphon project, a vital component for water delivery in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, remains delayed due to ongoing negotiations and legal challenges. Disputes between the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), Sandia Pueblo and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have hindered progress on the project. But there is hope for Corraleños. […]
Corrales Heritage Day 2025 celebrates ‘Agua es Vida’
The Corrales Historical Society’s Archives Committee hosted Heritage Day 2025 last weekend at the Old San Ysidro Church. The theme for this year’s event was “Agua es Vida – Water is Life,” focusing on the importance of water in the farming community of Corrales. The event explored the history and present-day picture of water in […]
New Mexico Environment Department to receive $2 million grant for property assessments
The New Mexico Environment Department is set to receive a $2 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for local property assessments. Announced on May 19, the Brownfields grant aims to conduct environmental site assessments in several New Mexico communities, including Springer, the village of Cuba, Clovis and Artesia. The funding is part […]
Oil Conservation Commission approves ban on PFAS in fracking, other operations
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]