NMIPL IN THE NEWS

Webinar to Examine Use of PFAs in Fracking in New Mexico

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Physicians for Social Responsibility is publishing an important report entitled Fracking with “Forever Chemicals.”  The report presents previously unpublicized evidence that major oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, have used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or substances that could degrade into PFAS, in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for oil and gas in more than 1,200 wells in six U.S. states.  One of those states is New Mexico.
Citizens Caring for the Future, an IPL-NM/EP affiliate, invites you to a virtual webinar to examine the the report and present information from local PSR experts.   Read PSR Report

Click here to register for the webinar

 

Water in the Mid Rio Grande Area: A Tale of Two Cities

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(Excerpt from mid Rio Grande Times)

Many of us in the mid Rio Grande area take water for granted when we open the faucet or flush the toilet. We may not know anything about the processes for supplying potable water or its disposal after use. We probably notice that our water bills also contain a bill for wastewater disposal, and we may realize that our water disposal is related to our water use.  But we may know very little about the water management system.

In the larger metro area, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) manages drinking water and wastewater disposal. The Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for which census data is regularly collected includes Albuquerque as well as towns such as Estancia, Moriarty, Edgewood, Cedar Crest, and surrounding areas.  Not all of the MSA is served by ABCWUA, though.  ABCWUA draws on the Middle Rio Grande Basin for groundwater, while the Estancia Basin is used by many non-urban water users in the area.

Households in non-urban settings have more direct involvement in their own water supply and disposal.  Non-urban households – outside of towns with municipal water supplies – get their water from groundwater wells and dispose of their wastewater through onsite (septic) treatment systems.

Read full article

 

Videos on Environmental Racism in Arizona Urge Reduction in Methane Pollution

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The Arizona-based coalition Fuerte created a couple of videos as part of its campaign to fight environmental racism.

Low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities in Arizona, such as those in Maryvale, South Phoenix, and South Tucson, have a history of *environmental racism. 

*Environmental racism refers to institutional rules, regulations, policies, or government and/or corporate decisions that disproportionately target low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities to environmental burdens and a lack of environmental benefits. Environmental burdens include proximity to toxic facilities, noise and environmental pollution, hazardous waste, and other factors that compromise healthy lifestyles. Environmental benefits include access to green spaces, healthy food, clean air and water, and other factors that promote healthy lifestyles.

The environmental justice movement pushes for environmental, economic, and social justice and demands that a clean environment be treated as a basic human right.

#CutMethanePollution 

Reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is the quickest, most cost-effective way to slow the rate of climate change and protect communities across the country.

 

Carlsbad Current Argus. Sep. 3, 2020 New Mexico finalizes oil and gas wastewater regulations, lawmakers hear testimony (Rev. Nick King Quoted)

Las Cruces Sun-News,  Aug. 19, 2020, Report on solving climate crisis brings hope (Co-authored by Michael Sells, Clara Sims and Edith Yanez)

Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug. 15, 2020 Vote your values this November  (Commentary by Larry Rasmussen and Tabitha Arnold)