New Mexico Sun


Udall introduces bill to update oil and gas rates on public land

Senator Tom Udall has introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at updating oil and gas royalty rates on public lands.


Greater Chaco Coalition criticizes BLM's draft plan amid ongoing fracking concerns

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have released the Mancos-Gallup Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Greater Chaco region.


PNM plans exit from San Juan Generating Station; PRC staff raises concerns

Late on February 21, Public Regulation Commission (PRC) hearing examiners issued recommended decisions supporting PNM's exit from its ownership and operation of the San Juan Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant.


Op-ed criticizes PNM's investment in carbon capture technology

In a recent op-ed published in the Santa Fe New Mexican on February 7, a Director expressed concerns regarding the investment in carbon capture technology.


PRC approves PNM's plan for La Joya Wind Farm in New Mexico

On January 29, the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) gave the green light to PNM's 2020 Renewable Energy Plan.


New Mexico's Environment Day focuses on advocacy against fracking wastewater leaks

Penny Aucoin, a resident affected by a recent fracking wastewater leak outside Carlsbad, will address attendees at a rally during Environment Day at the New Mexico Capitol.


New Mexicans urge PRC for full shift to renewables over San Juan coal

On January 21, 2020, members of the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) listened to comments from numerous New Mexicans advocating for a complete transition from San Juan coal electricity to renewable energy sources.


Xcel agrees to retire Tolk power plant by 2032 under new rate case agreement

Yesterday, the Sierra Club entered into an uncontested comprehensive agreement in a proceeding before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.


Escalante coal plant set to close as Tri-State announces retirement plans

Tri-State Generation and Transmission has announced the closure of the Escalante coal-fired power plant located in McKinley County.


Oil Conservation Commission adopts rules to enforce penalties on oil and gas industry

Community leaders in New Mexico have expressed approval for the recent decision by the Oil Conservation Commission to implement new enforcement rules aimed at protecting the state's air and water resources from oil and gas pollution.


New Mexico land lease plan faces opposition over fracking concerns

Tribal governments, numerous organizations, and thousands of individuals have urged the Trump administration to halt plans for leasing nearly 15,000 acres of tribal and federal public lands in New Mexico for fracking.


Sierra Club reacts to New Mexico's Climate Task Force report

The Sierra Club has issued a response to the Governor's Climate Task Force Report.


Biden-Harris administration reintroduces free COVID-19 tests

The Biden-Harris administration announced last week the return of free COVID-19 tests for Americans, set to begin in late September. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the latest COVID-19 vaccine, expected to be available in New Mexico within the next two weeks.


New Mexico joins 14 states adopting clean-car standards

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared that New Mexico will join 14 other states in implementing clean-car standards.


Albuquerque students plan walkout for global climate strike

A youth-led climate strike is set to take place in Albuquerque on Friday, September 20th.


New Mexico BLM auctions land amid protests over fracking

Environmental advocates convened outside the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Office in Santa Fe to protest the online auctioning of nearly 3,000 acres of public land for fracking in New Mexico's Greater Carlsbad region.


EPA proposes eliminating direct regulation on methane emissions

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler has proposed the removal of direct regulation of methane emissions from the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards.


Sierra Club raises concerns over Ken McQueen's appointment as EPA Region 6 administrator

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Ken McQueen has been appointed as the new administrator for Region 6.


Sierra Club comments on PNM's plan to abandon coal power

In response to the recent filing by PNM at the Public Regulation Commission, Camilla Feibelman, Director of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, has provided a statement.


Lawmakers file amicus brief against Trump's rollback on methane protection

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) have spearheaded an effort involving 51 lawmakers to challenge the Trump administration's revision of the Bureau of Land Management’s 2016 Methane and Waste Prevention...