A Monthly Resource Encouraging Stewardship of Rio Grande Watershed

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A group of residents of the mid Rio Grande River launched  an interactive magazine called the mid Rio Grande Times to encourage folks to become better stewards of our land, water, plants and wildlife. “Eight years ago our group formed as the result of a community-wide conference on the importance of knowing and being a part of one’s watershed,” said the group which calls itself the Watershed Way.

The group has continued as part of the Albuquerque Mennonite Church’s social action program. “As we explore our current reality, we say to ourselves, It’s time to live more sustainably. Time to participate in earth justice. Time to confront harmful environmental policies.

To receive a Free Subscription, click on the home page and scroll to the bottom. Check out new postings of relevant information, announcements of upcoming community actions, and updates on local food sources. The Index is filled with more articles relevant to life in the mid Rio Grande watershed.

Our World Water Day Observance

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Today is World Water Day. To commemorate the occasion, we created this video using prayers and reflections from Joan Brown, OSF, Terry Sloan (NM-IPL board member), Dr. Larry Rasmussen (NM-IPL advisory board member),  Kathy McCord, Amber Jeansonne, Deirda Velasquez of Valencia Water Watchers; Dodie Hawkins of United Methodist Women; Malcolm Siegel of Water Resources Action Project; Sue Brown from Albuquerque Mennonite Church; and Rev. Vincent Chavez from the Shrine of the Little Flower St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church.

 

Public Regulatory Commission Approves 100% Clean Energy Replacement Plan  for San Juan Generating Power Plant

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New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light is grateful for good news !  The Public Regulatory Commission this week approved a replacement plan for the San Juan generating power plant of 100% renewable energy with battery storage. This effort was possible through hard work of many including a large coalition of Four Corners community and tribal organizations, social justice groups, ordinary people and many faith leaders and faith communities.

This decision is an important ethical and moral choice to care for our communities and our sacred land, water, air and future generations. In these challenging times we celebrate this decision and the years of hard work, vision and efforts to cherish all that we are given.]

Thank you to all who have written comments, testified at hearings, made phone calls, engaged in educating friends and neighbors and your faith communities over the years. Our work and ministry can only happen together and that is a joy as we pray, meditate, and work together for the Common Good.

Please thank your Public Regulatory Commissioners for their work and decision.

The plan approved by the PRC has Renewable energy investments includes: 300 megawatts of solar and 130 megawatts of battery storage in the Central Consolidated School District, 300 megawatts of battery storage in McKinley County, and 50 megawatts of solar and 20 megawatts of battery on Jicarilla Apache lands in Rio Arriba County.  All of the projects account for over $1 billion in the respective areas and will create about 1,200 multi-year construction jobs in these counties.

This plan helps the state meet the goals of the 2019 Energy Transition Act for state public utilities to reach the goal of 100% carbon-free sources by 2045 for utilities to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.

Back in April,  a large coalition of New Mexico community, faith, tribal, and environmental advocates on April 1 welcomed the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s (PRC) decision to approve Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) request to abandon or exit the San Juan Generating Station and use low-interest bonds through the Energy Transition Act (ETA) to finance its remaining investment in the plant. The Commission voted unanimously to approve both the abandonment and financing orders.   Read More