Op-Ed: Clean Cars standards benefit rural New Mexicans

/in , , , , /by
In support of the Clean Cars and Trucks rulemaking beginning today, this opinion piece by Joseph Hernandez, Indigenous Energy Organizer, Naeva and Susan Nedell, E2 Mountain West Advocate, appeared in both the Farmington Daily Times and the Santa Fe New Mexican (and possibly other newspapers).
Bere ks a excerpt:

We need to take action, and that starts with supporting the state’s clean vehicles initiative in November 13-15 public hearings held by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board and Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board. 

Transportation pollution ranks second highest in the state behind pollution from the extraction and production of oil and gas. 

This pollution fuels climate change and extreme heat and devastation from wildfires, as well as rising ozone levels—which are high in San Juan County—that exacerbate respiratory diseases, asthma and premature mortality, especially among vulnerable New Mexicans, children, older people and those living near transportation corridors. 

And while some might think clean vehicle standards are just for big cities, the benefits extend well into rural areas like the four corners of our state, including the Farmington area. 

Add Your Voice in Support of State’s Advanced Clean Standards

/in , , , , /by

We are just a few days away from the November 13-15 hearings in which the Environmental Improvement Board and Albuquerque Bernalillo Air Quality Board will decide whether or not to adopt the proposed Advanced Clean Vehicle Standards.  Note: The hearings go until the 15th but there are no public comment opportunities on that final day.

You can make your support to state officials online via this public comment form

 

 

KOAT-TV: Groups asking the governor for “health buffer zones”

/in , , , , /by

More than 34,000 children in New Mexico live or go to school near oil or gas wells, some telling us this puts their health at risk. According to the state’s oil conservation division, there are many schools in the Northwestern and Southeastern parts of the state that are within a mile of active oil or gas wells.

Thirty-nine environmental, health and advocacy groups throughout the state wrote a joint letter to the governor, saying those wells are putting children’s health at risk, and asking her to create “health buffer zones” to protect them.

Kayley Shoup, with Citizens Caring for the Future, also signed it, and said it’s not fair to children,

“It’s something that these children, they can’t consent to it and it’s just not OK that it’s something that we just take for granted and say, ‘This oil and gas well can be right next to this school because it funds our public schools.’ Right. And that’s just, you know, unconscionable, in my opinion,” Shoup said.

The governor’s press secretary, Caroline Sweeney, sent this statement in response.

“Gov. Lujan Grisham received the letter from groups concerned about oil and gas extraction near schools. As a governor squarely focused on improving the well-being of New Mexico children, she shares their concerns over potential health impacts on children and her administration has taken robust actions to ensure responsible development. She has also directed her administration to actively evaluate avenues for implementing setbacks in the oil patch.”

Read Full Article