Hello from YUCCA!
Check out some upcoming advocacy & learning events this week including the last opportunity to make public comments on federal methane regulations! Plus some opportunities for youth to network & organize around environment & climate issues during the annual Uplift Convergence! If you're in Santa Fe, come out to our partners at Santa Fe Mutual Aid's Back to School Community Swap Meet/Free Market (tomorrow, Sat 7/31 12:30-4 pm) - check it out here.
Today, Friday, July 30 is the deadline to comment on methane regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working on new safeguards to tackle methane and related pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations, but July 30 is the deadline to submit official public comments telling them to implement the strongest rules possible, capturing at least 65% of this potent greenhouse gas by 2025.
Monday, August 2 Important Avangrid/Ibedrola & PNM Merger Information Teach In & August 9th Hearing
💡We all use electricity at home & every part of our life. 💡
📍Join NEE for a PNM and Avangrid/Ibedrola Merger Teach-In this Monday 8/2 with Citizens for Fair Rates and the Environment
👉You can sign up HERE or at the link below. Avangrid/Ibedrola is a big international energy conglomerate who have been very detrimental in other communities and not accountable to the harm they have caused in places like Maine. 😡 Learn about PNM's merger application, the contested settlement, and the issues of concern that have many opposed to this merger. Ask the questions you have ahead of the Public Hearing - scheduled for August 9th at the PRC.
🗣After the teach in, sign up for public comment for the start of the August 9th Hearing. Persons wishing to make an oral comment must register in advance with Ana.Kippenbrock@state.nm.us. Email should have this message in their subject line: "20-00222-UT public comment".
In the body of the email it should say: “I _(your name)_ would like to give public comment in NM PRC Case No. 20-00222-UT. Please provide me a zoom link so that I can participate. Thank you."
🗣Written comments may be made prior to the Commission's final action in the case by sending an email to prc.records@state.nm.us.
Weds 8/4/2021 SF County Nuclear Waste Town Hall (in person)
This upcoming Wednesday, August 4 from 6-7:30 pm, join the coalition opposing the expansion of WIPP for a Santa Fe County Nuclear Waste Transportation Emergency Response Town-Hall at The Hondo Fire Station on Old Las Vegas Highway and Hwy 285, which is across from Café Fina. County Fire Chief Martin Vigil will discuss emergency response systems for nuclear waste shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
There will be time for Q & A and actions YOU can take. Check out this article via a High-level Energy Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity about nuclear transport: https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-nuclear-couriers-20170310-story.html
For More Information contact: stopforeverwipp@gmail.com
Uplift's Convergence is happening August 7th- 8th!
Rooted Communities, Stronger Together will be a weekend of workshops and presentation on different topics related to youth in the greater Southwest. They are also hosting small IN PERSON workshops in the Southwest on August 8th.
Important Climate & Environment News!
Drought Hits the Southwest, and New Mexico’s Canals Run Dry Acequias, the fabled irrigation ditches that are a cornerstone of New Mexican culture, have endured centuries of challenges. Can they survive the Southwest’s mega drought?
Experts tell New Mexico lawmakers swift action needed to address dwindling water supply “There is no buffer left … no cushion,” David Gutzler, a recently retired climatologist from the University of New Mexico, told members of the interim Water and Natural Resources Committee.... He said the 2020-21 rain season was the fourth driest on record. The year before was hardly better, he said — it was the seventh driest.
Drought dents growing season for New Mexico farmers
Because Fracking Wasn’t Already Toxic Enough, the Oil and Gas Industry Decided to Add ‘Forever Chemicals’ to the Mix