News
The latest news from the New Mexico Environmental Law Center.
1st Opportunity to Challenge NRC’s Generic Enviro Impact Statement (GEIS) Filed
The Law Center filed comments yesterday on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEIS) that were issued by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on three proposed in situ leach uranium mining projects in Wyoming. These comments are intended to address shortcomings in both the SEIS and the GEIS, and therefore challenge the validity of using a “generic” impact statement.
Lost Creek SEIS comments, and case page.
Moore Ranch SEIS comments, and case page.
Nichols Ranch SEIS comments, and case page.
NMELC Files NOI to Present Technical Testimony in Greenhouse Gas Caps Case
The Law Center filed a Notice of Intent to Present Technical Testimony yesterday afternoon for our clients New Energy Economy. The Notice contains a concrete, realistic and cost-effective proposal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electric, oil and gas sectors - which contribute 65% of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
PDF of NOI of Intent to Present Technical Testimony
PDF of Proposal
Find out more about the Greenhouse Gas Emission Caps case.
Settlement Filed in American Cement Air Permit Case
After a two year struggle with the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Division over an air quality permit granted for the expansion of a cement transfer station, our clients, with assistance of the NMELC, arrived at a settlement with American Cement obtaining major environmental protection in just two days.
Our clients from the Greater Gardner Neighborhood Association and the North Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations obtained a technologically superior air particulate monitoring system and the creation of a Community Advisory Panel that will work with American Cement Company to assure environmentally friendly practices and good community relations. This is a major achievement in air quality regulation in the Albuquerque-Bernalillo area and the settlement will also provide a model for the use of mediation and stakeholder processes in the future.
The settlement, filed today, will go before the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board on a motion for approval and dismissal of the appeal on March 10, 2010.
Get more info and copies of filed documents.
HM 53 TABLED this Morning!
HM53, Nuclear Energy in Clean Energy Policies, was TABLED this morning in House Energy & Natural Resources Committee (HENRC) by a 7-6 vote! Thank you for all your calls! We couldn’t have done it without you!
HB 276 Voted Down. Serial polluters can continue to foul our air.
House Bill 276, Air Quality Control Permit Denial, sponsored by Rep. Brian F. Egolf, lost by one vote yesterday in the House of Representatives.
SJM 38 TABLED! Thank you Senators!
Senate Joint Memorial 38, “Nuclear power is Green,“ was TABLED this morning! Thank you all for all of your calls and emails!
HJM 41 TABLED this morning!
HJM41 “Nuclear power as clean energy” was TABLED this morning. Thank you for all of your calls!
MEETING POSTPONED: Rio Arriba Planning and Zoning Committee
The Rio Arriba Planning and Zoning Committee was scheduled to meet on February 10, 2010, to discuss Approach Operating LLC’s request for special use permits for five oil and gas wells in the Rio Chama watershed. If approved, these would be the first wells in the Frontier District of Rio Arriba County following the County’s adoption of its new drilling ordinance in 2009. Approach had sought approval of the permits in December 2009 from the Rio Arriba County Commissioners, but the Commissioners postponed their decision because the company was not clear about where they would obtain water for their operations.
According to the Rio Arriba Planning and Zoning Department, Approach’s permits are now on the Planning and Zoning Committee agenda for March 3.
The meeting will be held at the Tierra Amarilla County Complex in Tierra Amarilla, starting at 1:30.
Sebia is Back!
After a seven month medical absence from the Law Center, I was thrilled to return to my position as Development Director on January 4th, 2010. I am actually amazed to be alive and back in action. Some of you may know that on May 16th 2009 I had two brain aneurisms burst, and post surgery I was in recovery until the end of the year either in New Mexico or Texas. Fortunately the aneurisms burst while I was gardening with my husband so he was able to call for an ambulance immediately. After treatment, it was absolutely wonderful to get home in mid August and back to my family, friends and broader community which helped my recovery immensely. Now, I have happily resumed my work with Shelbie and Juana raising money for our efforts to protect New Mexico’s communities, land, air, and water.
Environmental Justice: A Vision for Change
“The not so obvious success of the environmental justice movement is the impact its vision has had on our narrative of how we as people interact with Mother Earth. The Principles of Environmental Justice wove a narrative of social change grounded in the values of equity, justice and sustainability.“
NMELC Board Member and Executive Director of SouthWest Organizing Project, Robby Rodriguez writes for High Country News Blog
Act now! Stop $54 Billion in nuclear loan guarantees!
It was announced today that the Department of Energy’s FY 2011 budget is slated to include $54 billion in taxpayer loan guarantees for construction of new nuclear reactors. This follows on President Obama’s State of the Union Speech in which he supported new reactors. This would be a tripling of the current $18.5 billion dollar loan guarantee program! Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Send a letter to President Obama now
Obama Said to Seek $54 Billion in Nuclear-Power Loans - Business Week
Don’t Blame the Pit Rule for Loss of Revenue, State Budget Crisis
“The Pit Rule is responsible regulation and simply the right thing to do.“ Joanna Prukop, Former Secretary, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
Read full article in today’s Albuquerque Journal Opinion/ Guest Columns section.
Law Center Files Expert Testimony in Homestake Uranium Discharge Permitting Case
The NMELC filed expert testimony for clients Bluewater Valley Downstream Alliance (BVDA) in the matter of the discharge permit (DP-725) for the Homestake uranium tailings reclamation superfund site. Expert witness Paul Robinson of Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC), examined the permit along with supporting and historic documents and concluded in his testimony that modifications should be made in order to assure the public health and safety in the process of remediating the site.
A public hearing will be held to determine if the permit will be approved as issued or modified.
Homestake discharge permit case.
Underused Drilling Practices Could Avoid Pollution
This is a really good article, and demonstrates that local laws make the drilling industry use less toxic materials. Eric Jantz
“As environmental concerns threaten to derail natural gas drilling projects across the country, the energy industry has developed innovative ways to make it easier to exploit the nation’s reserves without polluting air and drinking water.“
Law Center files Reply to OCC Response in the Pit Rule Roll Back Appeal Case
The Law Center files Reply to the NM Oil Conservation Commission’s Response to the Oil and Gas Accountability Project’s (OGAP) Statement of Appellate Issues filed on October 1st.
Learn more about the Pit Rule Roll back case.