Let’s start with just one portion of the answer, maybe the most important answer, water usage. According to industry expert Kelly Tooker of NM Junior College who gave a presentation to a Sandoval County Commission Work Session on May 12th, horizontal fracturing processes use on average 4.2 million gallons of water per fracking well. One [...]
By Marley Shebala Dine’ Bureau COUNSELOR — Communities impacted by hydraulic fracking launched their own health study after repeatedly asking their elected officials to fund an independent health assessment of the impacts. The study, conducted by Dr. Herbert Benally and Dr. Larry W. Emerson, is ongoing and was presented to four members of the Navajo [...]
Three new studies show dry times ahead. by Emily Benson Picture a snowflake drifting down from a frigid February sky in western Colorado and settling high in the Rocky Mountains. By mid-April, the alpine snowpack is likely at its peak. Warming temperatures in May or June will then melt the snow, sending droplets rushing down [...]
by Maya L. Kapoor Spring’s early arrival creates more mismatches in ecosystems. Across the West, spring has come early this year — by as much as three weeks in some places. But what does that mean, exactly? From an astronomical perspective, the first day of spring is the spring equinox, the day when the sun passes [...]
By Brendon Gray New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich recently introduced the Energy Workforce for the 21st Century Act, seeking to meet growing demands in the clean energy workforce. If passed, the legislation will create a comprehensive strategy for the Department of Energy to increase participation of women and minorities in the energy sector, provide training [...]
Vote is victory for taxpayers, school children and the environment WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement after the Senate voted 49-51, defeating a measure to repeal the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) natural gas waste prevention rule through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Udall helped lead the fight against the repeal. [...]
How the president’s ‘deconstruction’ doctrine threatens public lands. Jim Lyons ANALYSIS Public lands are a uniquely American idea and every American has an ownership stake in the lands we all own. For decades, we’ve done our best to manage these lands for local communities and a growing nation, even while preserving their unique natural, historic, or [...]
The move to dismiss most of the board that advises on EPA research may be a test case for moving pro-industry voices into positions to advise on regulations. Only five members of an 18-member advisory board remain to guide Scott Pruitt's EPA on environmental science, including climate-related research, as the board awaits a possible influx [...]
A 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic array will help power 30,000 homes and businesses served by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative starting in May. Kit Carson dedicated the facility April 11 with representatives from Washington Gas Energy Systems Inc. and Standard Solar Inc. Enlarge A 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic array will help power 30,000 homes and businesses… more Washington [...]
By Valerie Romero and Joshajandy Hernandez Northern New Mexico is home to many sacred things that we love about calling New Mexico home: beautiful acequias and ranch land, rich and diverse cultural history, and communities that feel like (and in some cases are) family. We live in New Mexico because to us, it’s home. Our [...]