Today, an agreement was reached between the Chaparral Coalition for Community Health and the Environment, the Sierra Club, Earthworks, and El Paso Electric (EPE) to significantly cut air pollution in El Paso and southern New Mexico. This agreement temporarily halts new fossil fuel power plant construction while encouraging EPE to move toward clean energy. In return, these community groups agreed to drop their legal challenge against EPE's air permit application for Newman 6, a planned unit at the Newman methane gas power plant.

Dr. Jeanette Lara, a Chaparral resident, stated: "The legal deck was stacked against us, fighting a utility like El Paso Electric. The health and climate concessions we forced from EPE were because we worked hard to organize our community. The struggle is not over until EPE replaces all its fossil fuels with the clean, renewable energy that we deserve and the world desperately needs."

Dr. David Garcia commented on the settlement by saying: “We do not want Newman 6. But if it’s going to be built anyway, it’s better built with this settlement than without it.” He added that "Newman 6 will now pollute our community less than it would have otherwise," noting that EPE will contribute to a fund supporting impacted communities.

Despite attempts by local authorities to block Newman Unit 6's construction due to its cost burden on Texas ratepayers alone—since New Mexicans are prohibited from receiving power from this plant—the project will proceed under stricter environmental standards.

Antoinette Reyes of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club remarked: “After Unit 6 is completed, El Paso Electric committed to no new fossil fuel generation at Newman ever again.” She emphasized that although full transition to renewable energy is distant, this agreement advances towards cleaner energy while offering marginalized communities a fair chance.

Miguel Escoto from Earthworks expressed concerns over continued fossil fuel reliance despite global climate warnings but praised community efforts for achieving health and climate concessions: “Through unrelenting legal and public pressure...the best the community could possibly accomplish...is a demonstration of...failure of our regulatory systems.”

David Baake represented the Community Groups legally challenging Newman 6's air permit; he called this deal "an important step towards achieving cleaner air in El Paso." He insisted further efforts are necessary for total emission reductions across all operational units at EPE.

Emma Pabst highlighted ongoing health risks associated with fracked gas pollution affecting vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted during pandemics; she vowed continued advocacy until EPE ceases fossil fuel use entirely.

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