From The Legislature To The PRC: Take Action With Us This Week to Stop Project Jupiter and Blackstone's Buyout!
- zoeyyucraft
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
Over the last week, we've seen the power of our community in action: from the defeat of fracking waste reuse (again!) with the killing of HB 207 at the Legislature to the 400+ New Mexicans who showed up at the Public Regulation Commission's meeting on Thursday to say NO to Blackstone's buyout of our largest electric utility.
And we're carrying that momentum into this week as we fight to pass S.B. 235 (The Microgrid Oversight Act) and Clear Horizons with amendments at the Legislature, come together for our weekly We Got Us Network Meeting, and raise our voices at the Public Regulation Commission again THIS Thursday to make it clear that Blackstone is not welcome in New Mexico.
Read on for key updates, next steps, and important ways to take action with us this week. And join us tonight on Zoom at 5:30PM to organize with us!
VICTORY AT THE LEGISLATURE: PRODUCED WATER DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE, ACEQUIAS, AND WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE!
Last week, we called on you to take action to stop H.B. 207, a dangerous bill that would have forced the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules that would allow toxic fracking waste (otherwise known as "produced water") to be used off the oilfield.
And you delivered. Thanks to YOUR emails, calls, public comment, and continued advocacy to House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee Members, we've once again defeated produced water in the Legislature. H.B. 207 was tabled in the committee last Saturday after advocates spoke out to say that there is no credible scientific evidence that this toxic waste is safe for our health or environment – pointing out that H.B. 207 was contrary to science, the Produced Water Act, and the strong rule that we won at the Water Quality Control Commission over the summer to prevent the discharge, disposal, or reuse of produced water for non-oil-and-gas activities.
This victory is a testament to the power of our movement and community – and this bill is also a reminder that industry attacks on our lands, waters, lives, and futures will keep coming. With just 2 weeks left in the 2026 Legislative Session, we're sure to see more attempts to quietly advance harmful legislation that would put our health, environment, and communities at risk – help us fight back by signing up to receive YUCCA's Legislative Action Alerts today.
S.B. 235 WILL BE HEARD TOMORROW: HELP US PASS THE MICROGRID OVERSIGHT ACT AND STOP PROJECT JUPITER!
We need your help to urge members of the Senate Conservation Committee to vote YES on SB 235 – the Microgrid Oversight Act – in Committee tomorrow!
SB 235 seeks to fix last year's bill that exempted microgrids from meeting Renewable Portfolio Standards in New Mexico, which would allow giant fossil-fueled microgrids like AI data center Project Jupiter to wipe out any climate emissions reductions made by our utilities and distributed solar efforts like Community Solar.
Help us urge Senate Conservation Committee Members to vote YES on SB 235 during the committee's hearing tomorrow to help us stop Project Jupiter and ensure that microgrids operating in New Mexico comply with Renewable Portfolio Standards to protect our air, water, and climate by contacting committee members with the information below:
• Chair Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics: lstefanics@msn.com, 505-986-4377
• Vice Chair Antoinette Sedillo Lopez: a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4389
• Ranking Member Candy Spence Ezzell: csecows@aol.com, 505-986-4381
• Senator Joseph Cervantes: joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4861
• Senator Angel M. Charley: angel.charley@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4513
• Senator Carrie Hamblen: carrie.hamblen@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4310
• Senator Micaelita Debbie O'Malley: debbie.o'malley@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4306
• Senator Larry R. Scott: larry.scott@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4701
• Senator Anthony L. Thornton: anthony.thornton@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4274
HUNDREDS OF NEW MEXICANS SHOWED UP TO OPPOSE BLACKSTONE'S TAKEOVER OF PNM – AND THE FIGHT ISN'T OVER YET
Read more from the Santa Fe New Mexican, the Albuquerque Journal, and KRQE.
Last Thursday, more than 400 New Mexicans showed up to the Public Regulation Commission's Public Comment Hearing to oppose Blackstone's takeover of PNM, packing the Roadrunner Conference Room, spilling out into the hallway, and waiting hours to make their voices heard to urge Commissioners to reject this proposed buyout and say clearly that New Mexico is not for sale.
During 3 hours of public comment, community members and advocates made it clear that we understand the consequences of a Blackstone buyout: higher utility bills, scarce resources poured into water-intensive industry projects, a lack of transparency and accountability, and an energy future controlled by out-of-state profiteers who have never set foot in our communities.
As YUCCA Program Coordinator Vittoria Judy put it, "Our public utilities should serve the people, so I have to ask, is the public interest better served by handing control over to the largest private equity firm in the world, that has no reason to prioritize transparency, affordability, or the wellbeing of our communities?"
Blackstone's short-term promises risk our long-term energy future. If the Public Regulation Commission allows this purchase to move forward, young people will bear the burden of their decision for generations to come – but only 70 out of the 400+ ratepayers, students, and community members who showed up to provide public comment last week were able to do so.
That's why we're continuing to show up: to fight for an energy system that puts people over profits, to make it clear that Wall Street billionaires have no business making decisions for communities they've never set foot in, and to demand that Commissioners take action to stop this acquisition.
🚨 That fight continues THIS Thursday, February 12th. 🚨
The Public Regulation Commission will continue to hear community input on the Blackstone acquisition during a virtual Public Comment Hearing on Thursday from 3:00-7:00 pm via Zoom, and we need YOU to help us send a resounding message to Commissioners that Blackstone is not welcome in New Mexico by showing up, speaking out, and providing public comment.
Community members who would like to provide virtual public comment on Thursday afternoon must sign up by contacting Patrick Rodriguez at public.comment@prc.nm.gov or calling (505) 490-7910 by 5:00 pm on Wednesday.
Once you've signed up with the Public Regulation Commission, please click here to RSVP for the hearing to help YUCCA and our movement allies get an accurate headcount!
On Thursday morning at 10:00 am, the Public Regulation Commission will also hold their Regular Open Meeting in-person at Clifford Plaza (4100 Osuna Road NE, St. 106, Albuquerque, NM). We know that in-person advocacy is one of the most impactful ways to show decision-makers that our communities are paying attention, and if you're local to the Albuquerque area – or are willing to travel to the Commission meeting to make your voice heard – we encourage you to show up in person at 10:00 am to voice your opposition to Blackstone's buyout during the general public comment period at the beginning of the Open Meeting.
RSVP here to help us get an accurate headcount and receive a follow-up email with more information!
TONIGHT AT 5:30 PM MT: VIRTUAL WE GOT US NETWORK MEETING
Want to help stop Blackstone's buyout of PNM, help to defeat bad bills like H.B. 207, and take action on other critical environmental, economic, and social justice fights?
Join YUCCA online TONIGHT at 5:30 pm MT for our next We Got Us Network Meeting, where we'll share more information about next steps in the fight against Blackstone, organize together to take action on important bills in the Legislature, and come together to build community.
We know that power isn't built by one protest, movement, or organization – it's built through solidarity, relationships, and the spaces where we come together to learn, strategize, and take action alongside each other.
That's why we created our virtual We Got Us Network Meetings: a consistent, collaborative space where young people, community members, and organizers from across movements and generations can link arms to deepen our relationships, organize our communities, and shape what comes next. The work that lies ahead will take all of us, so this space is designed to meet you where you're at: jump in when you have capacity, plug into the fights that matter most to you, and help us continue to grow a collective movement for change that is too powerful to ignore.
We can't wait to be in community with you tonight at 5:30 pm MT – but if you aren't able to attend this evening, you can help by spreading the word to your family and friends, and registering to join us for future weekly Zoom meetings at the button below!
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