Key Bill to Restore Clean Water Protections Advances to House Floor

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A critical bill aimed at protecting New Mexico’s waters has cleared its final committee hurdle and is now headed for a decisive vote on the House floor. The House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee voted 5-4 in favor of SB 21, legislation designed to restore essential clean water safeguards and establish state-level oversight of water permitting.

In recent years, federal rollbacks to Clean Water Act protections have left up to 95% of New Mexico’s streams vulnerable to pollution and degradation. Without a state-level permitting system in place, the state’s waterways were ranked as the most endangered in the nation by American Rivers in its 2024 Most Endangered Rivers report.

SB 21 aims to fill the gap by reinstating long-standing clean water protections at the state level. Additionally, it grants New Mexico the authority to take over permitting responsibilities from the federal government for waters still under federal jurisdiction. This shift would streamline regulatory processes and ensure that oversight remains in the hands of local officials who understand the state’s unique water challenges.

Originally introduced as two separate bills—SB 22 and SB 21—by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, Senator Bobby Gonzales, and Representative Kristina Ortez, the legislation has since been consolidated under SB 21. This combined effort creates a framework for a comprehensive state water permitting program, ensuring stronger, locally driven protection for New Mexico’s rivers and streams.

With the bill now set for a vote on the House floor, its passage would mark a major step forward in safeguarding New Mexico’s water resources for generations to come.

“Valuing water and valuing life are one and the same. In the absence of federal protections, our state leaders have an urgent and sacred responsibility to protect our precious waterways of New Mexico for the thriving of all our communities of life, human and beyond, for all generations to come.” – Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light

IPL NM & El Paso Thanks the New Mexico Congressional Delegation for Voting Against Undermining the Waste Emissions Charge

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The US Senate has passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution in a 52-47 vote along party lines, introducing uncertainty into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methane polluter fee—also known as the Waste Emissions Charge. While the resolution blocks the implementation of the fee, the legal requirement for the charge remains, leaving oil and gas operators in a state of confusion about compliance.

The methane fee is a critical piece of the Methane Emission Reduction Program (MERP), established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and signed into law by former President Biden. This program is designed to curb methane pollution, improve air quality, and protect public health while holding major polluters accountable for excessive emissions.

Prior to the Senate vote, the House passed the resolution in a 220-206 vote, with support from several Democrats. The measure now heads to President Trump’s desk, jeopardizing years of work by New Mexico communities and environmental advocates who have long fought for strong safeguards against methane waste. The fee applies only to oil and gas companies exceeding industry-established emissions thresholds, encouraging them to fix leaks, adopt cleaner technology, minimize routine flaring, and improve monitoring. The EPA projected that full implementation of the Waste Emissions Charge would have eliminated over a million metric tons of methane by 2035, significantly reducing waste while fostering job growth in the clean energy sector.

Despite bipartisan support for the CRA resolution, New Mexico’s entire congressional delegation opposed the measure, standing firm against what many see as another concession to industry polluters. Environmental and faith-based organizations, including New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power & Light, expressed gratitude for their leadership in prioritizing environmental stewardship and public well-being.

“People of faith in New Mexico believe that caring for communities, and our sacred water, air, and land is an ethical and moral responsibility. For more than 10 years, people of faith and conscience in New Mexico have worked for strong methane safeguards. Thank you to the NM delegation for recognizing that the Waste Emissions Charge is important and would have helped companies be more responsible for the Common Good. We are all called to be good neighbors and to care for God’s creation and one another. This was one simple and effective way to make sure that business is responsible.”
– Sister Joan Brown, OSF, Community Advocate, New Mexico and El Paso Interfaith Power & Light

As the resolution awaits the president’s decision, New Mexico advocates remain committed to ensuring strong methane protections, reinforcing the need for responsible industry practices that prioritize people and the planet over short-term corporate interests.

Senate Finance Committee Passes Key Community Benefits Fund Initiative

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Clear Horizons New Mexico, a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 33 organizations and businesses across New Mexico, applauds the Senate Finance Committee for passing the Community Benefit Fund, made up of Senate Bills 48 and 49. Senate Bill 48 passed the Senate Finance Committee on 7-4 do-pass vote, while its companion bill Senate Bill 49 that houses the funding remains in the committee, waiting to be absorbed into the state budget bill, House Bill 2.  The vote was taken late Wednesday, February 19.

The Community Benefit Fund, Senate Bills 48 and 49, would invest $340 million in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by climate change, providing resources for workforce development and retraining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and other projects that reduce carbon pollution all while building a sustainable economy.

The Clear Horizons New Mexico Coalition is a partnership of New Mexicans across the state from 33 climate, equity, social justice, and conservation organizations and businesses that are raising their voice in unison for climate action in the Land of Enchantment. At Clear Horizons, we celebrate our promise and commitment to keeping New Mexico beautiful and prosperous for everyone, now and in the future.  New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power & Light is one of 33 organizations comprising the Clear Horizons coalition. Other partners are  350 New Mexico, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Creciendo Nuevo Mexico, E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, GreenLatinos, GRID Alternatives, Healthy Climate New Mexico, Moms Clean Air Force New Mexico chapter, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council),, NM CAFe, NM Climate Investment Center, NM Native Vote, NMVC Action Fund, Positive Energy Solar, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, Renewable Energy Industries Association of NM, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Sovereign Energy, SWEEP (Southwest Energy Efficiency Project), the Semilla Project, Western Environmental Law Center, Western Leaders Network, and Western Resource Advocates.