NMELC in the News
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center is frequently in the news, both locally and nationally. If you see references that we've missed, please forward them on to us at: nmelc@nmelc.org. Thank you.
Enchanted with Carbon Caps
“Initiating a carbon cap regulation in advance of any federal laws is a critical opportunity for not just New Mexico, but all western states. Sooner or later, whether through congressional action or through EPA Clean Air Act regulations, there will be rules restricting greenhouse gas emissions. States getting an early jump on emissions reductions may qualify for early reduction credits in these future policies.“ The Range
Read full post at High Country News
State’s Poorest are Hardest Hit by Environmental Destruction
“Many of the people the New Mexico Environmental Law Center represents live near the greatest polluters and generally have fewer resources with which to address impacts of climate change such as water shortages, extreme weather events, and increased rates of disease.“ The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Needs To Enact Greenhouse Gas Rules
“Many of the people the New Mexico Environmental Law Center represents live near the greatest polluters and generally have fewer resources with which to address impacts of climate change such as water shortages, extreme weather events, and increased rates of disease. This is exactly why this case is so important to us, and why we have spent the last two years working on it.“ Albuquerque Journal
Will New Mexico be the Next Climate Leader?
“The board heard testimony from members of the public and expert witnesses. Last week on the Santa Fe Radio Cafe we interviewed witnesses in support of the petition.“ Huffington Post
Read full article.
New Mexico Could Be A Leader In Capping Carbon Emissions
“ ‘I think it’s going great,‘ [Bruce] Frederick told me during a break in testimony Monday. ‘We’re finally getting to the meat of our proposal. We’ve been through all the irrelevant parts. Mr. Michel can answer all those questions. He can handle that.‘ Frederick said he welcomes the chance to debate the case on its merits and get all the information out there.“ Clearly New Mexico
Greenhouse Gas Cap Proposal Aired at Santa Fe Hearings
“Since 2004, the nonprofit New Energy Economy has been working on projects related to climate change and clean energy job development in New Mexico. In December 2008, the organization, along with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, filed a petition asking that state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) to set a cap on greenhouse gas emissions.“ The New Mexico Independent
Why Our Environmental Laws Are Failing
by Staff Attorney, Eric Jantz
“The BP oil explosion and resulting leak in the Gulf of Mexico is a case in point. The now well-documented coziness between regulators and the regulated industry resulted in an environmental catastrophe that has cost millions of dollars, ruined countless businesses and harmed a vast ocean ecosystem.“ High Country News
Environmental Law’s Greatest Tragedy
“I think the nation’s system of environmental laws and regulations, both at the state and federal level, is broken and its problems need to be addressed.“ HCN The Range Eric Jantz, NMELC staff attorney, discusses the effectiveness of environmental administrative law today.
Federal Appeals Court Gives Go Ahead to Uranium Mining in Churchrock
“The real problem is the possibility of contaminating clean groundwater, says Eric Jantz, an attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, which has represented residents of the area in opposition to new mining. ‘In its natural undisturbed state, uranium ore doesn’t go anywhere. You can sink a well 50 feet away [from a ribbon of ore] and still have good drinking water,‘ he said. ‘…Once those chemicals are injected and make contact, the chemical reaction allows the heavy metals to spread throughout a much larger portion of the aquifer.‘ “ The New Mexico Independent
Court: Planned NM Uranium Mine Not on Navajo Land
“Eric Jantz, an attorney for the Santa Fe, N.M.-based [New Mexico] Environmental Law Center, which represents mining opponents, called the ruling tragic. ‘Frankly, I don’t think the state has much of a stake in this in terms of people with political power,‘ he said. ‘Who is going to assure that this community’s water isn’t going to get polluted. The federal government, the EPA is going to be a much better guardian of that than the state.‘ “ Associated Press
10TH Circuit finds NM Uranium Parcel Not Under Federal Jurisdiction
“The New Mexico Environmental Law Center sued the NRC in 2007 to overturn the license. Attorneys for the Navajo claimed the NRC violated the Atomic Energy Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and its own regulations when it issued the license to Hydro Resources.“ Mineweb.com
NM Supreme Court rules state may continue work on greenhouse gas emissions cap
“ ‘It’s great news,‘ NEE and New Mexico Environmental Law Center lead attorney Bruce Frederick told The Independent. ‘It was nice to hear we still live in America. PNM and the oil companies tried to subvert the democratic process by getting a judge to violate the separation of powers doctrine and prevent the state from even considering a regulation. I think the issues were quite obvious, frankly.‘ “ The New Mexico Independent
NM High Court to Hear Arguments in Emissions Case
“The [New Mexico] Environmental Law Center and New Energy Economy argue that the state Legislature created the board and authorized it to hold public hearings for the purpose of considering air pollution regulation and public welfare protection.“ Associated Press
Background: Groups Challenge Big Industry’s “Home Court” Decision in Supreme Court
NM High Court to Hear Arguments in Emissions Case
“The state Environmental Improvement Board and the New Mexico Environmental Law Center are asking the justices to order a district court judge in Lovington to reverse an earlier decision that halted the effort.“ NewsWest9.com
Background: Groups Challenge Big Industry’s “Home Court” Decision in Supreme Court
From a Tiny Town, A Cautionary Tale for Environmental Advocates
“Douglas Meiklejohn…has ‘very serious concerns about the impact of this verdict.‘ He said that ‘against somebody like Arturo Uribe with limited economic means,‘ the $75,000 in punitive damages ‘sends quite a clear message to people in similar circumstances that if you speak out, you may very well get punished for it, and severely punished.‘ ” Next American City