As reported in the Gallup Independent today, the proposed in-situ leach uranium mining project near Churchrock is on hold. (Learn more about the Law Center’s representation of Churchrock and Crown Point communities)
According to Rick Van Horn, chief operating officer of Uranium Resources Inc. (URI), parent company of Hydro Resources Inc. (HRI), received notification earlier this month that Itochu, partner in the Churchrock project, has pulled out of the joint venture.
“Uranium prices are depressed, we’re still awaiting the court decision, and right now the project is on hold until we get that decision,“ says Van Horn. Read Full Article
03/27/2009 • Back to top
Public News Service speaks to Law Center’s Eric Jantz about today’s hearing in Santa Fe.
“Making sure that sour economic times now and in the future don’t leave a bad taste in New Mexico’s water. That’s what local environmental groups are doing as they review and comment on proposed new regulations for mining exploration in the state. The state Mining Commission holds a public hearing today on proposed changes intended to strengthen rules to protect groundwater from mining contamination.“ Read Full Article
Listen now:
03/23/2009 • Back to top
New Mexico Environmental Law Center, representing its clients Amigos Bravos and Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP), will present testimony on March 23rd to support strengthening New Mexico’s mining exploration permitting regulations in order to protect groundwater from contamination caused by mining exploration wells.
The hearing is open to the public.
Get Press Release in PDF format
03/18/2009 • Back to top
House Bill 755, “Uranium Mining Liability,“ sponsored by Representative Benjamin Rodefer, was tabled in the Business and Industry Committee meeting yesterday.
03/18/2009 • Back to top
House Bill 755, “Uranium Mining Liability,“ sponsored by Representative Benjamin Rodefer, would give the state the authority to go after the original uranium companies that actually created the mess. If it passes, it could start a funding stream going directly to cleanup.
This is a great bill, but we need your help.
HB 755 is scheduled to be heard this Thursday at 1:30 pm in the Business and Industry Committee meeting, and this committee has typically ignored community needs.
Please Call the Committee Members and tell them to
VOTE “YES“ on HB 755 and Please come to the Roundhouse on Thursday to show your support!
03/11/2009 • Back to top
Rob DeWalt of the Santa Fe New Mexican gives Justice Bars the cover story in today’s Taste Section!
"If we were going to do this, the final product had to reflect the sense of community and environmental stewardship that the law center has promoted and protected for more than two decades." Sebia Hawkins, Director of Development. Read the Full Article
03/11/2009 • Back to top
For 25 years,
the New Mexico Environmental Law Center has worked every day to protect our region's water, land and air from toxic pollution; and to help New Mexico's many and diverse communities protect their environment.
SANTA FE, N.M. - Today, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) filed a request for a public hearing regarding a proposed permit revision to put the Mt. Taylor uranium mine on active status. The mine, near Grants, NM, has been inactive (on “standby” status) without cleanup for 23 years. The mine’s owner, Rio Grande Resources, received a fourth renewal for the standby permit in January 2012, but on April 12, 2013 it notified the public it was seeking a revision to change the mine’s status to “active”. The NMELC filed the hearing request on behalf of its clients, Amigos Bravos and the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE).
Go to case page.
SANTA FE, N.M. - The New Mexico Court of Appeals struck down an effort by the Martinez Administration to repeal regulations favorable to the environment and reinstated the state’s energy efficiency building codes.
The energy codes, adopted before Governor Martinez came into office, were repealed by the State Construction Industries Commission in the summer of 2011. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) appealed the Commission’s move on seven grounds, including that the Commission failed to state the reasons for its decision as is required of all administrative agencies. The Court of Appeals agreed, and reversed the Commission’s decision. (Get PDF of Court of Appeals ruling)
Visit Repeal of Energy Efficient Building Codes case page
