Coal Archives - San Juan Citizens Alliance

Oct 21 2021

Land of Enchantment, Not Enchant Energy

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition

The choice between continued coal power or equitable transition at San Juan Generating Station There is nothing enchanting about Enchant Energy’s proposal to continue burning dirty coal and emitting pollutants in the Four Corners long into the future. Enchant proposes…

Oct 19 2021

Take Action: Expose Enchant Energy

By sjca Climate Change, Take Action

Expose Enchant Energy - We need your voice in asking the Farmington BLM to do a comprehensive environmental analysis of this project that includes thorough public participation. Enchant Energy is a company that seeks to continue burning coal at the…

Jun 14 2021

Fighting Air Pollution with Science-based Standards

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Oil & Gas

Fighting Air Pollution with Science-based Standards Here in the Four Corners, we highly value clean air, pure water, and healthy lands, which are the foundations of resilient communities, ecosystems and economies in the San Juan Basin. But with air quality…

Feb 23 2021

States, Industry, Consumers Leading Climate Change Policy

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column

Events of the past year drove home the reality of our changing climate. Colorado experienced the three largest wildfires in recorded history, two of which burned across high mountain forests in October, a month normally reserved for the onset of…

Jan 11 2021

Can Carbon Capture Save Coal?

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy

We don't think so. Check out this video to learn more:

Nov 25 2020

Utility to Assist Navajo Energy Transition

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition

The accelerating transition from coal-fired electricity to renewables is great news for the climate, but poses tough economic challenges to dependent communities like Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico. After decades of a local economy linked to the jobs around mining…

Nov 10 2020

Breaking: $127 Million in Just Transition Funds for Navajo Nation

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, In the News, Renewable Energy

Breaking: As coal plants across the Four Corners region shut down, Arizona Public Service will provide a minimum of $127 million to the Navajo Nation over the next 10 years, plus major commitments to buy power from Navajo clean energy…

Jun 23 2020

Carbon Capture is an Elusive Dream

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition

Our region took a major step toward a cleaner energy future recently when New Mexico regulators gave Public Service Co. of New Mexico approval to retire the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station outside Farmington in two years. But alas, it’s…

Apr 29 2020

PRC Delay of San Juan Coal Plant’s Replacement Decision is Unfortunate and Risky

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, In the News

Photo: EcoFlight The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) delayed the approval of two solar and battery projects that would partially replace the electricity from San Juan Generating Station. These projects, which had record-breaking low prices, would have brought jobs…

Apr 27 2020

As Coal-Fire Power Plants Close, Our Skies are Clearing

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy

One of the noticeable, and remarkable, changes in recent years has been the dramatic improvement in visibility and air pollution in the Four Corners. Longer-term residents routinely comment on the increased clarity and the sharper vistas of distant ranges like…

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 15 2020

Enchant’s Carbon Capture Scheme Heads Back to the Drawing Board

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy

If you are having troubles following the San Juan Generating Station carbon capture project being proposed by the City of Farmington and Enchant Energy, you are not alone. In fact, Enchant Energy itself seems to be having a hard time…

Apr 10 2020

Carbon Capture Costs Us More than the Millions in Taxpayer Dollars

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy

Our local elected officials have been chasing Enchant Energy’s promises of a resuscitated coal industry for roughly a year and a half now. This has cost the City over a million dollars in attorney fees, but the implications of this…

Apr 01 2020

San Juan Generating Station cleared for abandonment by PRC

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition

Today the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) approved the abandonment of San Juan Generating Station, a ruling long in the works after months of painful legal back-and-forth. This decision paves the way for Public Service Company of New Mexico…

Jan 16 2020

Tri-State Announces Responsible Energy Plan

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy

Photo: WildEarth Guardians Last week, Tri-State announced it intended to close its Colorado and New Mexico coal generation assets ahead of schedule. This week Tri-State made a second announcement on its Responsible Energy Plan. Notably, Tri-State will: Strive for 100%…

Jan 09 2020

Tri-State Announces Coal Retirements But Flaws Remain In Energy Plan

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy

Today Tri-State announced the first part of their long-awaited Responsible Energy Plan, which described their intention to close two coal plants and one coal mine ahead of schedule. While the plan shows that Tri-State is finally starting to shift their…

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…

Jul 17 2019

The False Hope of Carbon Capture

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition

For months the City of Farmington has been scheming with a small two-person outfit to keep San Juan Generating Station (SJGS) open past the 2022 closure date agreed upon by all other owners. Their plan is to install expensive Carbon…

May 29 2019

New Beginnings at LPEA

By sjca 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…

Mar 18 2019

Decisions loom about local electric supply

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy

Spring is in the air, and with it comes potentially big changes for our electric power supply. Leadership changes abound at both our local rural electric cooperative, La Plata Electric Association, and its wholesale electric supplier, Tri-State Generating and Transmission.…

Mar 13 2019

New Mexico Passes Historic Clean Energy Bill!

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

New Mexico just passed one of the most progressive energy transition bills in the country! The Energy Transition Act (ETA), which just passed the house and now heads to the Governor's desk, paves the way for a just transition to…

Mar 04 2019

Opinion: Back the Energy Transition Act

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

San Juan Citizens Alliance is actively working to move New Mexico forward to a sustainable energy economy. We believe an important step towards this desired future, especially for us in Northwestern New Mexico, is the passage of Senate Bill 489,…

Feb 07 2019

Clean Energy Bill Introduced to Reduce Electricity Costs, and Provide Economic Relief to San Juan County Workers

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy

Woot woot! A new Governor in New Mexico along with a host of bold, progressive, new State House representatives, looking to the future and creating opportunities. We're hopeful we can make big strides in clean energy, a just transition for…

Feb 01 2019

Keep moving Four Corners forward with renewable energy

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy

After almost 6 years spent outside of Farmington and San Juan County, it is great to be back in the community I grew up in and will always call home. It is refreshing to experience the kindness I remember being…

Jan 19 2019

New Mexico grapples with air pollutants

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

We who live in these parts sometimes call it the Four Corners, other times the San Juan Basin or even the Colorado Plateau. It’s reflective of the geographic flexibility of our home region, one that water and air easily transcends.…

Dec 15 2018

Change Confronts Rural Electric Co-ops

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Green Business, Renewable Energy

Photo: Wildearth Guardians, Flickr The comedian Lily Tomlin used to have a favorite shtick where she played Ernestine, the snorting, smirking phone operator. She would end her bit with the line, “We don’t care, we don’t have to, we’re the…

Sep 17 2018

You did it! LPEA board launches investigation of energy supply options

By sjca LPEA Spotlight

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…

May 23 2018

A new year at LPEA

By sjca Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

Apr 27 2018

Did you get your LPEA ballot?

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

Around 800 ballots were not delivered on time. If you didn't receive yours (or if you threw it away), call LPEA immediately. LPEA: (970) 247-5786 Did you vote yet?! If you buy electricity from LPEA, your ballot should have arrived in…

Apr 12 2018

Renewable Randy and the Tri-State Façade

By sjca LPEA Spotlight

Feb 28 2018

The questions between the statements

By sjca LPEA Spotlight

Feb 27 2018

SJCA Community Meeting: Farmington’s Future

By sjca

We'll meet at one of our gracious member's homes in Farmington, NM. RSVP For location to mike@sanjuancitizens.org, (505) 360.8994 --------- In addition to pursuing our work on natural resources, recreation and health, we've launched a campaign on energy transition in…

Feb 21 2018

LPEA approves energy supply review subcommittee

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

Feb 18 2018

La Plata Electric Association grapples with era of change

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

It’s a challenging time for La Plata Electric Association. The electric utility world is undergoing a classic technology disruption, where rapid advances threaten to upend decades-old business models. LPEA is locked into a contract for the next 30 years with…

Feb 15 2018

LPEA to vote on future of long-term energy supply review

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight

Jan 29 2018

PNM must do right by Four Corner communities, citizens and workers

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy

A major tenet of our work over the past decade has been that coal-fired power plants in the Four Corners region have exerted an enormous toll on human public health and natural systems (air, water, land). It is now apparent…

Jan 29 2018

LPEA Long-Term Strategy Subcommittee

By sjca

The La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) long-term strategy subcommittee is meeting for the first time to discuss a possible mission and strategy. The whole LPEA Board will later vote on the review's continuation. The meeting is open to the public.

Jan 25 2018

LPEA Election Open House

By sjca

Come, eat, drink, and learn why we need to elect an active, forward thinking LPEA Board of Directors. Let’s band together to lower rates for everyone with local, renewable energy! DID YOU KNOW? Renewable energy costs in Colorado are now…

Jan 04 2018

We’ve lost democratic control of our power supply

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

Dec 15 2017

If (how) LPEA can measure the health impacts of coal

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight

Nov 21 2017

What do renewable energy advocates actually want?

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight

Oct 26 2017

Three Steps Forward – LPEA Spotlight: Oct ‘17

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy

Photo: Anna Peterson 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…

Aug 21 2017

Power struggle with Tri-State won’t end soon

By Mark Pearson Coal

A few weeks ago, we sent forth our champion with bated breath and hopeful expectations to plead our case before Tri-State, to please allow us to generate more electricity locally here at home in La Plata Electric Association’s service area.…

Feb 03 2017

The Plight of Solar in Farmington

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change

By Mike Eisenfeld, Energy & Climate Programs Director Last week, I attended the full, four-hour Farmington, NM City Council meeting. The Farmington Electric Utility System (FEUS) and their consultant, NewGen, presented to the Council. The City hired NewGen for 200,000…

Nov 10 2016

Canyon of the Ancients National Monument waste pit protest

Let them come.

By sjca Of Interest

Friends, At the close of the constitutional convention in 1787, Ben Franklin strode out the doors of Independence Hall to be greeted by a question from an onlooker in the crowd. “Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a…

Jun 21 2016

Coal Will Say Anything – Beach Party

By sjca Coal, Of Interest

Need some levity? This is for you. When you’re ready to take on reality again, check out some information we put together about the Four Corners Power Plant. Warning: It’s not that funny.

Apr 20 2016

NEW VIDEO: Time’s Up For Coal at the Four Corners Power Plant

By sjca Climate Change, Coal

The Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP) and Navajo Mine complex is a massive source of pollution. It can’t be permitted to operate until 2041. Learn More. Amid last year’s crumbling coal economy, and despite promises to address climate change, the Obama Administration approved a…

Apr 20 2016

As Coal Collapses, Groups Launch Lawsuit Challenging 25-year Extension of Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine

By sjca Climate Change, Coal

Last week Peabody Coal joined Arch, Alpha, Patriot, and other US companies in bankruptcy. This progression of bankruptcies is raising a myriad of concerns about the financial viability of coal, the future costs of clean up, the dangers of self-bonding,…

Dec 22 2015

Lawsuit to Challenge Feds’ Approval of Decades More Coal Pollution at Four Corners

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Species

Photo Credit: EcoFlight This is a huge moment. Today we joined together with Diné CARE and other regional and national conservation groups to seek justice for the communities and species threatened by the the Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo…

May 13 2015

Residents need relief from busy mine operations

By sjca Coal, Durango Herald Column

Let’s talk about the biggest little coal mine in La Plata County you’ve never heard of. Six miles southwest of Hesperus sits the King Coal II mine. Operated by GCC Energy, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, the…

Mar 19 2015

When rules are ignored, we can win

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column

It is not often enough that we get to celebrate wins in my line work, so today let’s pause to do exactly that. A few weeks ago, San Juan Citizens Alliance and our partners won a hard-fought legal case against…

Apr 16 2014

Help Us Fight These Menacing Energy Monsters

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column

Have you ever seen a monster? I have. A few weeks ago. He was an odd monster. He didn’t hide in the dark spots fancied by most monster-types. No, this monster stood out in the open under the glaring mid-day…

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