legislation Archives - San Juan Citizens Alliance

Aug 27 2021

Take Action: Colorado Deserves Clean Air

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Colorado's air quality is being threatened by the ever-present reality of oil and gas emissions. Let's ensure our air stays clean and create strong methane regulations for the state of Colorado.JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJSTlpPd3VNcVRpJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkZWZhdWx0LnNhbHNhbGFicy5vcmclMkZhcGklMkZ3aWRnZXQlMkZ0ZW1wbGF0ZSUyRmM1MDNhN2VhLWZiY2UtNGI3MS1hNzkzLTBmOWMwNmU5ZGQyYSUyRiUzRnRJZCUzRFJOWk93dU1xVGklMjIlMjAlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=

Feb 16 2021

Take Action: Support the Colorado Wilderness Act & BLM Wildlands

By sjca Lands Protection, Take Action No Comments

The Colorado Wilderness Act has been reintroduced, but in order to pass it needs the support of Colorado's Senators. Take action today and ask Colorado Senators Michael Bennet & John Hickenlooper to support the Colorado Wilderness Act!JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJhQW90ZGRTcnVuJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkZWZhdWx0LnNhbHNhbGFicy5vcmclMkZhcGklMkZ3aWRnZXQlMkZ0ZW1wbGF0ZSUyRjMyZmRjZmU0LTNjM2QtNGQ4My05ZTUxLThiNDlmZWNiNWM0NiUyRiUzRnRJZCUzRGFBb3RkZFNydW4lMjIlMjAlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=

Feb 03 2021

Clean Air, Mining Reform, & More: Updates at the New Mexico Legislative Session

By Mike Eisenfeld Energy Transition, Of Interest No Comments

Several bills were heard yesterday in the New Mexico Legislative Session House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee with good outcomes! 1. The Oil and Gas Subdivision Parcels Bill (HB 136) was drafted purportedly to address exemptions to subdividing lands to…

Jan 29 2021

Climate Solutions at the New Mexico Legislature

By sjca Climate Change, Energy Transition No Comments

Support the New Mexico Climate Solutions Act (HB 9) Sponsored by Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Angelica Rubio, House Speaker Brian Egolf, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, and Senators Benny Shendo and Carrie HamblenThe Climate Solutions Act (HB 9) establishes…

Jan 26 2021

Introduction to the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Take Action No Comments

Remote Testimony for the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session Because of the pandemic, things are looking a little different this year at the New Mexico State Legislature. The entire 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session (60-day session from January 20-March 2oth)…

Mar 09 2020

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

By sjca In the News, Of Interest No Comments

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…

Feb 14 2020

Legislation Ensures Lasting Conservation

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: John Fielder Last week, the Bureau of Land Management finalized plans to open millions of acres of southern Utah to energy development, oil and gas drilling, coal mining and a variety of other extraction activities. These were the…

Jan 06 2020

PRC Public Input Hearing – SJGS

By sjca No Comments

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…

Nov 07 2019

A local voice on the Energy Transition Act

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition No Comments

New Mexico and the Four Corners is experiencing a transition that, far from being unique, is mirrored in coal regions across the nation. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the market reality is that coal is being left behind by…

Oct 31 2019

CORE Act Passes the House!

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Rivers, Species No Comments

We know that meaningful and permanent public lands protections take time. Lots of time. Lots of stakeholders are at the table and compromises are hashed out over years, not weeks. Often times such efforts are framed by politicians as being…

Oct 31 2019

House Passes Chaco Protection Bill

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Is it everything we hope for? No, but it is undoubtedly a significant step forward. We'll continue to use all the tools we have to fight for permanent protections in the region. Check out the full press release below with…

Oct 20 2019

San Juan Mountains legislation faces vote in U.S. House

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

This week marks the 10th anniversary of long-simmering efforts to obtain added wilderness protections for the high ranges of the San Juan Mountains. Back in 2009, then Rep. John Salazar first introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, legislation aimed…

Aug 30 2019

We’re Asking the Courts to Weigh in on Application of the Energy Transition Act

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

New Mexico recently passed a landmark energy transition bill known as the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The bill was groundbreaking not just for setting an aggressive renewable portfolio standard, but also for creating funding to ensure a just transition for…

Aug 20 2019

A New Era for Colorado Oil and Gas

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

This April, SB 19-181 passed through the Colorado Legislature and was signed into law, fundamentally altering the landscape of Colorado oil and gas operations. The bill reforms oil and gas law and charges the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission…

Jul 23 2019

It’s time for robust methane regulations in New Mexico

By sjca Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

In New Mexico, oil and gas operations release more than 1 million metric tons of methane every year into the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, this has the same short-term impacts as 22 coal-fired power plants or 28…

Jun 10 2019

Energy Transition Act Invests in Our Local Communities

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

The Four Corners finds itself in an unprecedented economic landscape and elected officials are choosing to expend valuable time, resources and money pointing fingers and aggressively combatting the entities working to make sure our communities don’t get left behind. The…

May 30 2019

Bernhardt’s Promise to Protect Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Rob Zeigler It's certainly promising, if not surprising, that Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is making promises to protect Greater Chaco. We're grateful to Senator Heinrich for playing a key role in orchestrating Bernhardt's visit to Chaco Cultural…

Apr 21 2019

New Mexico moves to protect Chaco Canyon from drilling

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas No Comments

Anyone who has traveled the U.S. Highway 550 corridor to Albuquerque recently knows for themselves the extent of greatly expanded drilling activity. Advances in fracking technology have unlocked access to oil deposits tightly trapped in the Mancos and Gallup shale…

Apr 18 2019

Greater Chaco Coalition responds to Congressional Visit on Oil and Gas Impacts

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas No Comments

We were thrilled to welcome members of Congress to Chaco to experience the incredible landscape, learn about the history, and hear from impacted community members firsthand. We are confident they now have a deeper understanding of the issues here and…

Apr 09 2019

Groups Applaud Strengthened Bill to Protect Greater Chaco Landscape

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas No Comments

More than 92% of Greater Chaco has already been leased. Over the last several years, this leasing has moved forward despite the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) not having a plan in place to protect modern native communities, their history,…

Mar 20 2019

What Now? Next Steps for San Juan County

By sjca No Comments

What Now? Next Steps for San Juan County Thursday, April 11th 5:30 – 6:30 pm SJCA Farmington Office What is the Energy Transition Act? How does it affect San Juan County? What is happening with San Juan Generating Station? What…

Mar 19 2019

Colorado Bill Aims to Modernize Regulation of Oil and Gas

By Mark Pearson Oil & Gas One Comment

Colorado is finally trying to revamp the regulation of oil and gas development for the 21st century. And it's long overdue. For decades, Colorado's official charge to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission was to "foster" oil and…

Mar 13 2019

New Mexico Passes Historic Clean Energy Bill!

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

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 12 2019

Senator’s filibuster over Energy Transition Act a stunt

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Renewable Energy No Comments

I watched the nearly four-hour filibuster from Senator Bill Sharer on the Energy Transition Act from my home in Farmington on Wednesday. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 32-9, with strong bipartisan support. This stunt by Senator Sharer actually provides a window…

Feb 17 2019

Land conservation overcomes congressional gridlock

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Rivers, Species No Comments

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 07 2019

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

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

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…

Jan 25 2019

CORE Act Gives San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act Another Chance!

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jack Brauer Senator Bennet and Representative Neguse are breathiing new life into the decade-long campaign to permanently protect iconic, yet vulnerable, alpine landscapes in the San Juan Mountains. Next week, they're introducing a new bill, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation &…

Jun 16 2018

For 50 years, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves waterways

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Rivers No Comments

Fifty years ago, Congress passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. It was a counterpoint to the West’s flurry of dam-building in the 1950s and 1960s that saw dams erected across many of the region’s rivers. The mighty rivers of…

May 23 2018

Image of ruins at Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Udall, Heinrich introduce legislation to codify no-drilling buffer zone around Chaco

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Oil & Gas One Comment

As most of you know, the Alliance has been working for over a decade to secure greater protections for Greater Chaco - it's water, air, cultural resources and the health and safety of native communities living there today. We have…

May 19 2018

Photo of wildflowers in Ice Lake Basin by Jason Hatfield

San Juan Wilderness Act strategically protects mountains’ beauty

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jason Hatfield With spring full bore upon us, it’s hard not to cast an envious eye toward the high country and start daydreaming about alpine wildflower hikes. One favorite destination for many is Ice Lake Basin outside Silverton, one…

Dec 06 2017

Picture high in the Weminuche Wilderness

133 Conservation Groups Tell Congress: Keep Bikes Out of Wilderness

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species No Comments

"Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit." Edward Abbey It seems so obvious that we should preserve at least some small part of this planet to remain relatively untouched by humans and our destructive…

legislation

Take Action: Colorado Deserves Clean Air

Take Action: Support the Colorado Wilderness Act & BLM Wildlands

Clean Air, Mining Reform, & More: Updates at the New Mexico Legislative Session

Climate Solutions at the New Mexico Legislature

Introduction to the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session

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

Legislation Ensures Lasting Conservation

PRC Public Input Hearing – SJGS

A local voice on the Energy Transition Act

CORE Act Passes the House!

House Passes Chaco Protection Bill

San Juan Mountains legislation faces vote in U.S. House

We’re Asking the Courts to Weigh in on Application of the Energy Transition Act

A New Era for Colorado Oil and Gas

It’s time for robust methane regulations in New Mexico

Energy Transition Act Invests in Our Local Communities

Bernhardt’s Promise to Protect Chaco

New Mexico moves to protect Chaco Canyon from drilling

Greater Chaco Coalition responds to Congressional Visit on Oil and Gas Impacts

Groups Applaud Strengthened Bill to Protect Greater Chaco Landscape

What Now? Next Steps for San Juan County

Colorado Bill Aims to Modernize Regulation of Oil and Gas

New Mexico Passes Historic Clean Energy Bill!

Senator’s filibuster over Energy Transition Act a stunt

Land conservation overcomes congressional gridlock

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

CORE Act Gives San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act Another Chance!

For 50 years, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves waterways

Udall, Heinrich introduce legislation to codify no-drilling buffer zone around Chaco

San Juan Wilderness Act strategically protects mountains’ beauty

133 Conservation Groups Tell Congress: Keep Bikes Out of Wilderness

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