Xcel Rate Case Agreement Includes a Commitment to Retire Texas Coal-Fired Power Plant
The Sierra Club joined an uncontested comprehensive agreement in a proceeding before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, which will determine whether Xcel Energy can change electricity rates. The agreement includes commitments by Xcel Energy, a subsidiary of Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) to retire the 1,050 megawatt, coal-fired Tolk power plant in Texas in 2032 ...
Rio Grande Chapter statement on Escalante coal plant closing
Tri-State Generation and Transmission, owner of the Escalante coal-fired power plant in McKinley County, announced that it will close the plant this year. Additionally, Tri-State said it will commit $5 million in transition funds for the community impacted by Escalante’s shuttering. Our response urges them to increase its transition funding ...
Early 2020 Endorsements for Environmental Champions
The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club issued its early 2020 endorsements of incumbent legislators who are leading environmental champions. There are many legislators with excellent environmental voting records, however, this list is limited to those candidates who also were sponsors of the Sierra Club’s priority bills ...
Want to lead hikes for the Rio Grande Sierra Club?
We want you! As a Sierra Club Outings leader, join others in exploring our wild lands and share your love for nature with others. You could be hiking, backpacking, kayaking, bicycling or doing service work — it’s up to you, because you ultimately design and lead your own outings ...
NM community leaders applaud Oil Conservation Commission for adopting oil and gas enforcement rules
Community leaders across New Mexico applauded the Oil Conservation Commission for acting to protect the state’s air and water resources from oil and gas pollution by adopting new enforcement rules under legislation adopted in the 2019 session ...
Read the Santa Fe New Mexican article, dated January 11, 2020, about a report generated by Gov. Lujan Grisham's Methane Advisory Council ...
Environment Day at the Roundhouse – January 28
Join us at the Roundhouse on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 8 AM – 3 PM, for Environment Da ...
It was a wild year. We had major victories – The Energy Transition Act – and notable losses ...
Hundreds attend meetings on reuse of fracked water
The Sierra Club’s position is that not enough is known about fracking wastewater to determine if it is safe for outside use, even after it is treated. Along with high levels of salt, there are many hundreds of potential other chemicals, heavy metals, and even radionuclides in produced water. Before even considering treatment standards, we need much peer-reviewed research testing how the contents of the wastewater might impact crops, soil quality, or surface and groundwater ...
Legislature 2020: Much to accomplish in not much time
The 2020 Legislative session kicks off on Jan. 21, and this year Environment Day will be on Jan. 28. As you may know, 2020 will be a short 30-day session, the purpose of which is to enact the state’s budget. This year, though, because our governor has made climate a priority, the Legislature will be hearing several clean-energy-related bills in addition to the state budget ...
