NM IPL Provides Public Comment About New Mexico’s Regional Haze Plan

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Sister Joan Brown, OSF and Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director of NM-IPL, provided public comment on April 29 before the Environmental Improvement Board about New Mexico’s Regional Haze Plan. Sister Joan made the following comment:

 

“Thank you for this hearing. It is important to affirm leadership in caring for our precious and sacred lands that millions of people experience as a source of healing, awe, nourishment and hope in our times. It is also important to call us to even greater responsibility. Many of our parks, especially Carlsbad Caverns is affected by haze pollution emitted by New Mexico’s industrial facilities. 

 

In 2024 Pope Francis in one of many addresses reflected upon the 10th anniversary of the teaching document Laudato Si: On Care of Our Common Home with a disheartened spirit. He lamented that we had not yet learned to act strongly to care for and protect Earth. He said, “There is a need to act with urgency, compassion and determination, since the stakes could not be higher.”

 

While I am concerned about all of our parks, I am speaking most strongly about Carlsbad Caverns because I go there often. At least twice a year NM & El Paso IPL takes a group of people of faith on an Immersion Retreat Experience to Southeast New Mexico and we always begin at this sacred place, what we call a Cathedral of the Earth. However, Carlsbad Caverns currently, ranks number 4th for hazy skies and 5th for unhealthy air out of the 399 parks nationwide. This is not how we should treat our public places for which we have a sacred trust to protect into the far future. Those who visit the Caverns and region are very aware of the haze and are also concerned for the communities of people living there.

 

Natural gas processing plants and oil and gas operations emit the most haze-causing pollution in New Mexico. NMED has released a strong draft for the state implementation plan that highlights 23 facilities for haze emissions reduction analysis and action, including natural gas processing plants and oil and gas compressor stations, but action is only proposed for 13 facilities for installation of pollution controls. Why not all 23?

 

We are grateful for the constant work of NMED and are grateful that among states New Mexico has the strongest proposed plan, but we are also second in the nation in oil and gas production from the Permian and this causes oversized haze and pollution. We support a strong plan and the continued work of NMED including enforceable retirement of any sources currently excluded from an analysis of emissions reduction measures. Several examples that have been brought to my attention are the Cunningham Station Power Plant and the South Carlsbad Compressor Station’s stationary combustion engines. We are also concerned about the health and well-being of communities and invite a thorough assessment of impacts of haze pollution for these communities. 

 

We are grateful for steps that NMED is taking and encourage continued ethical and moral leadership to Care for Our Common Home.”

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

Call to Action: River Mile 163 Project

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Our friends at Valencia Water Watchers are asking for help to get the word out about destruction that is happening along a stretch of the Rio Grande Bosque near Los Lunas. This destruction is resulting from work being done for the River Mile 163 Project.
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Mature cottonwoods have already been cut, and the access road looks like a moonscape with all trees and vegetation completely ripped out.

We are asking for your help to pause the destruction.

The scope of the original project has been exceeded, and an Environmental Impact Statement is needed before any more work is done on this project.

The local residents want the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to pause the tree cutting and start removing and/or mulching the downed trees and vegetation to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire in the area.

Background on River Mile 163 Maintenance Project

The BOR has started chopping mature cottonwoods and clear-cutting access roads in the Bosque toward the river.

Despite many concerns, no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed. Residents gave extensive feedback, and BOR reassured property owners that they would minimize cottonwood removal. However, significant tree removal has already started, raising concerns about the ecological impact and fire risk from all downed trees and slash.

Concerns

  • The sandbars provide a critical habitat for migratory birds and many species

  • Mature cottonwoods are being taken down

  • Fire risk from slash that has not been cleaned up from the project

How to Take Action to Pause Project Mile 163 ASAP

  1. Call Bureau of Reclamation: 505-462-3540

  2. Call MRGCD 505-247-0234  or email: https://www.mrgcd.com/contact-us/

  3. Attend the MRGCD meeting on March 10th, 3pm
    at MRGCD Headquarters (1931 2nd St SW, Albuquerque) OR Join the MRGCD Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/2765069278?pwd=V2d0SWppTkxGTTFMb0g5RFhmeERjZz09

Talking Points

Pause the project to allow for the following:

  • Clean up the slash that has already been cut to minimize the fire risk created by the damage to and destruction of vegetation;

  • Prepare the Environmental Impact Statement and publish for comment. This statement should correctly disclose the amount of area to be affected by the project using actual data instead of the inaccurate estimates contained in the environmental assessment.

  • Keep intact a healthy Bosque ecosystem (don’t moonscape it)

  • Abide by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act – nesting season is about to begin. The MBTA protects hundreds of species of birds with fluctuating migrations, not just birds that winter in the Bosque.

Here are links to more information about this “Los Lunas RM 163 River Maintenance Project”