NMIPL IN THE NEWS

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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Carlsbad Current-Argus: Holtec Project Opposed, Yet Company Asserts Local Support

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Nuclear waste project in New Mexico opposed in recent poll, company asserts local support

New Mexicans in every region of the state allegedly opposed storing high-level nuclear waste in their state, according to a recent poll, as a New Jersey company hoped to build a facility to do so near Carlsbad.

The poll, commissioned by Albuquerque-based Southwest Research and Information Center in a partnership with the Center for Civic Policy surveyed 1,015 voters across the state from Dec. 7 to 14.

It found 60 percent of those surveyed were in opposition to the project, with 30 percent supporting and 10 percent undecided.

More:Legality of nuke waste storage at Texas, New Mexico border questioned during court hearing

Holtec International applied in 2017 for a license from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build and operate what it called a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) in a remote area near the border of Eddy and Lea counties.

Last year, the NRC published its final environmental impact statement (EIS), contending the project would have little impact on the environment, and recommending the license be issued.

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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

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)