Video: Centering Equity in Water Planning

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An informative, interactive discussion regarding water resilience planning to show how we should equitably share water supplies in our hotter and drier future. IPL New Mexico & El Paso was a co-sponsor of this event organized by The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates

The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates and other nongovernmental and community organizations believe centering equity in water planning is crucial for New Mexico’s public health and a balanced and secure future. What does centering equity mean in the context of sharing reduced water supplies, across New Mexico and in the Middle Rio Grande? How should regional water scarcity and resilience planning advance public health, and justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusiveness. What should the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission forthcoming water planning rules and guidelines say about inclusion of public voices? About equitable access to water to meet human needs and community values?

Panelists include Paula Garcia, Interstate Stream Commissioner and Executive Director of the New Mexico Acequia Association; Jorge Garcia, Executive Director, Center for Social Sustainable Systems. and Marcia Fernandez, a retired teacher who lives on a small South Valley farm, and is a board member of the MRGWA, CESOSS, and South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.

Rally Urges Legislators, Governor to Protect Our Water

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Several dozen advocates from diverse organizations (including New Mexico El Paso Interfaith Power & Light) joined the Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates (MRGWA) outside the Roundhouse on Thursday, January 26, to advocate for a proposed 2023 Water Security Planning Act.

“MRGWA and its allies are focused on encouraging legislators to work for us–the people– to pass important water legislation, and fund New Mexico’s water management agencies. The legislature and our Governor must increase our water agencies capacity to do the jobs they already have and address new challenges,” the organization said in its website.

“The Governor’s proposed budget includes substantial funds for water management and projects.  That’s great!  However, the Governor’s budget all but ignores the fact that our state water agencies do not have the capacity to productively spend it.  We must persuade the Legislature to increase the capacity of our water agencies to proactively protect our water,” MRGWA added.

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Video: Legislative Preview 2023

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This video offers a preview of the New Mexico State legislative session. We outlined exciting bills that will be introduced during New Mexico’s upcoming legislative session. You will also learn how you can uplift and support this legislation. The bills we’ll be discussing include:

  • The Oil & Gas Reform Act
  • Climate/Just Economic Transition Bill
  • The Climate and Public Health Resiliency Act
  • The Green Amendment
  • Various Water Protection Bills
  • Proposal to Prohibit Storage of Spent Fuel or High Level Nuclear Waste Without Permanent Repository in Operation Act
  • Energy Efficient Appliance/Low Income Bill

Guest presenters included

Norm Gaume, Kayley Shoup, Amy Miller, Patricia Cardonas,Tammy Fielbelkorn, Paula Garcia, Terry Sloan