Advocacy Archives - San Juan Citizens Alliance

May 26 2021

Electric Co-ops Boost Local Energy Supplies

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy

An inspiring story of rapid energy transition is playing out in a neighboring rural electric cooperative in northern New Mexico. Just recently, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative announced it is ahead of schedule to complete several solar projects by the end…

Mar 25 2021

Gold King Legacy Leads to Stronger Water Protections

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Gold King Mine

Colorado is currently considering ways to strengthen rules for protecting water from future hardrock mining operations. It’s a direct link back to the Gold King Mine spill in 2015, though one perhaps obscured by the passage of time. The path…

Feb 11 2021

Take Action: Support Strong Protections for Colorado Rivers

By sjca Rivers, Take Action

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Feb 04 2021

Coloradans Applaud Re-Introduction of Colorado Wilderness Act

By sjca In the News, Lands Protection

The Colorado Wilderness Act was reintroduced in Congress today! First introduced in 1999, the wilderness bill proposes protections for 660,000 acres of Colorado's most spectacular canyon and desert wildlands, like the Dolores River Canyon. New wilderness protections are strongly supported…

Jan 07 2021

SJCA Annual Update Video

By sjca Energy Transition, Lands Protection, Of Interest, Rivers

Since we couldn't see everyone in person this year, we made a video to show you what our staff has been up to & update you on some of our top campaigns! Check it out!

Nov 11 2020

Take Action: Help Pass the CORE Act & the Colorado Wilderness Act!

By sjca Lands Protection, Take Action

Photo: John Fielder Help Secure New Wilderness in Colorado Contact Colorado’s elected representatives to thank them for their strong support of public lands and ask that they do everything in their power to pass the CORE Act and the Colorado…

Jun 29 2020

We Stand Against Racism

By sjca In the News

Statement from San Juan Citizens Alliance staff:We are living through a time of unprecedented upheaval, one that leaves us contemplating our role at San Juan Citizens Alliance. First it was our nation’s stumbling response to the coronavirus pandemic and the…

Apr 17 2020

Conservation Matters Now More Than Ever

By sjca Coal, Lands Protection, Of Interest, Renewable Energy

By Diana Vernazza Here in Southwest Colorado, the weather is beginning to turn warmer, the rivers are rising and trees slowly leafing out. The first butterflies of the season are looking for nectar, and the birds are noisily building nests.…

Apr 10 2020

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part V: The Right Thing to Do

By sjca Lands Protection, Species

Photo: National Park Service In our original blog, ‘Why Restore Wolves to Colorado, we briefly discussed the top five reasons wolves should be reintroduced to the state. Now, we’re digging deeper into each of those arguments. You can also check…

Mar 09 2020

Deadline March 10th For Local Input on Rollback of Environmental Law

By sjca In the News, Of Interest

Breaking: The Trump Administration has proposed changes that would rollback critical elements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a bedrock environmental law. NEPA is fundamental to protecting public health, safety, and our environment, and the vast majority of Western…

Jan 06 2020

PRC Public Input Hearing – SJGS

By sjca

The NM Public Regulation Commission (PRC) will be holding a public input session in order to give residents of San Juan County an opportunity to share their opinions regarding the abandonment of San Juan Generating Station. PRC Chairperson Theresa Becenti-Aguilar will…

Dec 23 2019

Advocacy Groups Celebrate Key Step Towards Climate Goals and Cleaner Air

By sjca Energy Transition, In the News, Oil & Gas

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously on new methane protections on the oil and gas industry that prioritize public health and the environment. These new regulations will cut methane emissions, improve air quality, and help Colorado meet…

Dec 12 2019

Chaco & Carlsbad BLM lease sale protest

By sjca

Communities living near oil and gas wells already suffer the effects of poor air quality due to venting and flaring of toxic are emissions, increased rates of cancer and asthma, and unsafe traveling conditions - now the Bureau of Land Management…

Oct 21 2019

Four Corners Air Quality Group meeting

By sjca

Come join us for the annual Four Corners Air Quality Group meeting in Durango this Wednesday to hear about important factors in our regional air quality and some of the steps being taken to improve it. There will also be…

Jul 16 2019

Farmington Methane Regulation Public Meeting

By sjca

Public Meeting on NM Methane Regulations July 29th, 1-5 pm San Juan Community College, IT building -Room 7103 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402 Make your voice heard to help enact much needed methane regulation in New Mexico! The…

May 19 2019

Wilderness deserves restraint, humility

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Forest Health, Lands Protection

The Forest Service’s recent decision to approve using chain saws to cut out downed trees in wilderness areas might strike some as no big deal. But for longtime advocates for the wilderness concept generally, and supporters of the Weminuche and…

Apr 18 2019

Western Colorado Deserves Clean Air Too!

By Mark Pearson Oil & Gas

This month, the Colorado legislature passed landmark oil and gas reform legislation that directs the state to adopt next generation methane standards and expand air quality protections statewide. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Control Division will hold a public hearing…

Feb 28 2019

LPEA is listening to you

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

This blog series covers the monthly La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors meetings. We’re tracking the board for transparency and accountability, as well as to stay current on their renewable energy initiatives. Find past and future spotlights here. Get…

Feb 20 2019

Stephanie Richards Garcia speaking at NM Public Lands Rally

Federal, State, Tribal Leaders and Allies Call for Protection From Fracking

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

It is completely indefensible to continue to lease parcels in Greater Chaco to oil and gas without having a plan in place to ensure protections for air, water, public health, and the rich history embedded in the landscape. TheBureau of…

Feb 17 2019

Land conservation overcomes congressional gridlock

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Rivers, Species

Photo: Jason Hatfield Fans of Utah’s spectacular redrock country can savor congressional action this week that advanced protections for a million acres of the incomparable San Rafael Swell, and one of the Colorado Plateau’s longest wild river segments through Desolation…

Feb 12 2019

Take Action: Speak Out Against Lease Sale in Greater Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

It's time to speak out in defense of Greater Chaco again. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington and Rio Puerco field offices in northwestern New Mexico continue to allow oil and gas companies to frack without a plan in…

Dec 05 2018

Greater Chaco Advocates Rally at BLM to Protest Lease Sale

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas

Photo: WildEarth Guardians We've been working to protect the Greater Chaco region from rampant and largely uncontrolled drilling for over ten years. Sadly, the need for protections is only increasing. Our partners organized a rally of over 200 people to…

Dec 04 2018

Climate Action Happy Hour

By sjca

Climate Action Happy Hour Monday, December 10th 5-6:30 pm Carver Brewing, Durango You're invited to join us and our friends at Conservation Colorado to discuss the future of renewable energy for our region and actions we can take to encourage…

Sep 27 2018

TAKE ACTION: Call Senator Gardner!

By sjca Forest Health, Lands Protection, Rivers, Species

Recently, Senator Gardner told a group gathering in Norwood, Colorado that he wouldn't stand in the way of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act moving forward. We're looking to him now to make to good on his commitment to move…

Jun 11 2018

After pressure, New Mexico oil and gas company withdraws attempt to avoid regulations, public input

By sjca Oil & Gas

In mid-May, we were approached by long time rancher, environmental advocate, and San Juan Citizens Alliance member, Don Schreiber, who discovered that Hilcorp Energy Company was trying to get exemptions from laws that restrict the number of wells they can…

Jan 31 2018

oil and gas development in Greater Chaco

BLM Failed to Count 74% of Protests to Greater Chaco Oil and Gas Lease Sale

By sjca Oil & Gas

Photo: Rob Zeigler The BLM is going further and further out of its way to avoid public input, but we're not going to let them get away with it. When they released the protests for the March 2018 lease sale,…

Apr 28 2017

Meet our new Executive Director, Mark Pearson!

By Mark Pearson Lands Protection, Of Interest

Just in time for my first week on the job, returning to the role of Executive Director at SJCA, I was greeted by a new presidential administration’s assault on Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM). Déjà vu all over…

Apr 14 2017

Showing up is what gets the work done

By sjca Durango Herald Column

This being the last column I have the privilege to write for The Durango Herald, there’s a certain pressure I feel to pen a magnum opus of sorts. Let me pour some cold water on that thought. No brilliant summation…

Jan 19 2017

Hope doesn’t create change, action does

By sjca Durango Herald Column

On Friday, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as our nation’s 45th president. Here’s an odd thought: What if President Trump is exactly what America needs? How, you may ask, can a man who possesses open contempt for women, minorities, democratic…

Sep 17 2015

Don’t let spill pass; it’s time to take action

By sjca Durango Herald Column, Rivers

The toxic plume from the Gold King Mine release has passed. Our river is no longer orange. Where do we go from here? It is possible that this disaster, like so many horrors we hear about daily, will pass us…

Advocacy

Electric Co-ops Boost Local Energy Supplies

Gold King Legacy Leads to Stronger Water Protections

Take Action: Support Strong Protections for Colorado Rivers

Coloradans Applaud Re-Introduction of Colorado Wilderness Act

SJCA Annual Update Video

Take Action: Help Pass the CORE Act & the Colorado Wilderness Act!

We Stand Against Racism

Conservation Matters Now More Than Ever

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part V: The Right Thing to Do

Deadline March 10th For Local Input on Rollback of Environmental Law

PRC Public Input Hearing – SJGS

Advocacy Groups Celebrate Key Step Towards Climate Goals and Cleaner Air

Chaco & Carlsbad BLM lease sale protest

Four Corners Air Quality Group meeting

Farmington Methane Regulation Public Meeting

Wilderness deserves restraint, humility

Western Colorado Deserves Clean Air Too!

LPEA is listening to you

Federal, State, Tribal Leaders and Allies Call for Protection From Fracking

Land conservation overcomes congressional gridlock

Take Action: Speak Out Against Lease Sale in Greater Chaco

Greater Chaco Advocates Rally at BLM to Protest Lease Sale

Climate Action Happy Hour

TAKE ACTION: Call Senator Gardner!

After pressure, New Mexico oil and gas company withdraws attempt to avoid regulations, public input

BLM Failed to Count 74% of Protests to Greater Chaco Oil and Gas Lease Sale

Meet our new Executive Director, Mark Pearson!

Showing up is what gets the work done

Hope doesn’t create change, action does

Don’t let spill pass; it’s time to take action

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