Since 1987, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center has worked every day to protect New Mexico's water, land and air from toxic pollution; and to assist its many and diverse communities protect their environment.
The New Mexico Environment Department and Freeport-McMoran Tyrone Inc. Settle
The New Mexico Environment Department announced yesterday that they and Freeport-McMoran Tyrone Inc. have settled a longstanding appeal associated with closure requirements for the Tyrone copper mine in Grant County, N.M. Get NMED press release.
Learn more about the Grant County Tyrone mine closure plan case.
Fall 2010 Green Fire Report Newsletter Online
The GreenFire Report is now online. Get the whole newsletter in PDF format here. Sign up for our monthly ENews and stay updated on all our casework.
Water Quality Commission Approves New Dairy Regulations
SANTA FE, N.M. – The Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) today passed New Mexico’s first industry-specific regulations for the dairy industry. The new regulations will govern dairy waste pollution in ground water. The decision marks the end of a two-year process begun by the dairy industry itself, which asked for industry-specific regulations during the 2009 New Mexico legislative session.
Learn more about the New Mexico Dairy Discharge Regulations case.
New Mexico Caps Again
“One of the major things that (Richardson) has done is to support the Secretary of the Environment, Ron Curry,“ Doug Meiklejohn, executive director of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center told me recently. “(Curry) has been a real leader on environmental and environmental justice issues at the state level. He has really put New Mexico at the forefront of protecting the environment, particularly in communities of color and low-income communities.“ HCN The GOAT Blog
NMELC Argues Pit Rule Essential to Groundwater Protection
SANTA FE, N.M.— Today, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) presented oral arguments defending the Oil and Gas Pit Rule in the First Judicial District Court. The Pit Rule, adopted in 2008, governs the storage and disposal of toxic oil and gas drilling wastes. Soon after its adoption, industry groups filed an appeal to have the Rule repealed and later, Governor Richardson moved to relax the Rule in order to save companies the cost of compliance.
Learn more about the New Mexico Oil and Gas Pit Regulation Appeal case.
CALL TO ACTION! Please Join Us in Santa Fe and Stand Up for New Mexico’s Pit Rule!
On December 10, District Judge Barbara Vigil will hear oral argument on two appeals of New Mexico’s Pit Rule. The Oil Conservation Commission passed the Pit Rule in 2008, which requires that oil and gas producers manage their oilfield wastes to protect human health, groundwater and soil. The hearing will be held at the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe at 2:00 p.m. Earthworks’ OGAP will be represented by Eric Jantz, Attorney, New Mexico Environmental Law Center. Learn more about the case.
WHEN: Friday, December 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: First Judicial District Court, Catron Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
WEBSITE: http://www.firstdistrictcourt.com/