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 […]
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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 inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News
Former Rio Arriba Sheriff’s died from ‘toxic effects of fentanyl and alcohol’
By Kevin Hendricks The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator released a report Thursday that attributes the Easter death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield to an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and alcohol. The 50-year-old Merrifield was found dead in his patrol vehicle near his home on Easter Sunday. The initial investigation by […]
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State regulators approve electric rate increases for PNM customers
By Hannah Grover People who receive electricity from the Public Service Company of New Mexico will see an increase in rates in July followed by another increase in April 2026. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved an agreement between the utility and various intervening parties about the rates PNM customers will pay in the […]
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Senator Heinrich demands answers on land transfer to Army in southern New Mexico
By Kevin Hendricks Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is pressing the Department of Defense for answers regarding the recent transfer of more than 100,000 acres of public land in three New Mexico counties to the U.S. Army. In April, over 109,651 acres of federal land along […]
Opinion
Peaking in the Permian?
We are all too aware of New Mexico’s dependence on the oil and gas industry. I’m not the only one noting that our economy is not diversified enough or that our state budget is scarily dependent on it. We talk of the cliff we are driving toward. That cliff is alarmingly close. West Texas Intermediate […]
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 inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News
New Mexico Department of Health report reveals alarming health disparities among homeless population
A new report from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) highlights the severe health challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in the state. The report, A Novel Strategy for Counting Persons Experiencing Homelessness and Describing Their Health Outcomes in New Mexico Healthcare Facilities, 2019–2023, analyzes statewide hospital data and reveals that people experiencing homelessness […]
Posted inHealthcare, New Mexico Statewide News
Vaccinations double as measles cases surge in New Mexico
Staff report New Mexico is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases in 2025, with 71 cases reported across five counties: Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Eddy, and Lea. In response, residents are getting vaccinated in record numbers. From the start of February through May 12, 27,123 New Mexicans received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) […]
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 […]