NM-IPL 2025 Spring Immersion Retreat

NM IPL Spring Immersion Retreat Update

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The New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light Spring Immersion Retreat over this past weekend brought together people of faith from Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Chaparral, El Paso, San Antonio and Laredo to Southeast New Mexico to learn about oil and gas production and concerns for health and the environment. The group met with frontline community members, viewed illegal methane emissions through a flr camera, prayed, shared concerns and committed to ongoing actions to protect air, water, climate and communities. The next pilgrimage will be in the fall.

Senate Finance Committee Passes Key Community Benefits Fund Initiative

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Clear Horizons New Mexico, a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 33 organizations and businesses across New Mexico, applauds the Senate Finance Committee for passing the Community Benefit Fund, made up of Senate Bills 48 and 49. Senate Bill 48 passed the Senate Finance Committee on 7-4 do-pass vote, while its companion bill Senate Bill 49 that houses the funding remains in the committee, waiting to be absorbed into the state budget bill, House Bill 2.  The vote was taken late Wednesday, February 19.

The Community Benefit Fund, Senate Bills 48 and 49, would invest $340 million in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by climate change, providing resources for workforce development and retraining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and other projects that reduce carbon pollution all while building a sustainable economy.

The Clear Horizons New Mexico Coalition is a partnership of New Mexicans across the state from 33 climate, equity, social justice, and conservation organizations and businesses that are raising their voice in unison for climate action in the Land of Enchantment. At Clear Horizons, we celebrate our promise and commitment to keeping New Mexico beautiful and prosperous for everyone, now and in the future.  New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power & Light is one of 33 organizations comprising the Clear Horizons coalition. Other partners are  350 New Mexico, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Creciendo Nuevo Mexico, E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, GreenLatinos, GRID Alternatives, Healthy Climate New Mexico, Moms Clean Air Force New Mexico chapter, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council),, NM CAFe, NM Climate Investment Center, NM Native Vote, NMVC Action Fund, Positive Energy Solar, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, Renewable Energy Industries Association of NM, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Sovereign Energy, SWEEP (Southwest Energy Efficiency Project), the Semilla Project, Western Environmental Law Center, Western Leaders Network, and Western Resource Advocates.

IPL-NM-EP Speaks Out Against Congressional Effort to Repeal Methane Safeguard

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The House & Senate introduced companion Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions today that undermine a critical measure to #CutMethane waste and pollution from oil & gas operations. 

Their proposed resolutions target a rule implementing the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s waste emissions charge which calls polluters to be responsible for excessive pollution. The methane polluter fee aims to cut excessive waste, secure American energy, create jobs and only applies to oil and gas companies that do not meet the industry’s own pollution reduction targets.

“People of faith in New Mexico believe that caring for communities, and our sacred water, air and land is an ethical and moral responsibility. For more than 10 years people of faith and conscience in New Mexico have worked for strong methane safeguards.

This is one simple and effective way to make sure that business is responsible. Sister Joan Brown, osf, Community Advocate, New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power and Light.