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    • SUPPORT New Mexico SB 149

      (formerly SB 459 & SB 104)

      Hydraulic Fracturing Permits & Reporting

      #PauseOnFracking

    • Support a Fracking Pause in New Mexico (SB 149)

      PROHIBIT NEW FRACKING LICENSES

      SB 149 moves forward to Senate Judiciary Committee

      For the first time human history,

      we are disappearing fresh water resources

      forever via the fracking process.

      Current Sponsors: Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero

      Short Synopsis:

      SB 149 calls on the constitutional obligation of the New

      Mexico Legislature to control pollution and protect the air, water and other natural resources

      of this state. In line with the executive order from President Biden pausing new federal oil

      and gas leases to analyze the cumulative impacts of fracking, SB 149 places a four-year

      moratorium on new oil and gas permits wherein the Energy Minerals Natural Resources

      Department, Department of Agriculture, Environment Department, Department of Health,

      Office of the State Engineer, Indian Affairs Department, and Workers Compensation

      Administration are directed to report on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, as well as

      provide recommendations for legislation and appropriations to conduct analysis.

      New Mexico is 'disappearing' fresh water at a high rate,

      from the hydrological cycle.

      At a time of climate crisis and extreme drought

      the state food production is now being impacted.

      How much water is New Mexico 

      actually making disappear via fracking operations? 

      What percent of your state’s water is lost? 

      And what are the future projections?​

      UNM Law Professor Cliff Villa to speak at the 

      New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 149

      • University of New Mexico Associate Professor of Law

      Frontline committees who are sick and dying are experiencing disparate impacts from oil and gas. The lack of funding is problematic. It consistent with the continual practice and culture of systemic racism by which NM Legislature has cut funding to departments by 40% hindering the needed inspections, testing and ability to mitigate impacts. These issues impact frontline communities who are being disenfranchised by the denial of public comments and the appearance of corporate influence from campaign contributions on legislative voting.

      New Mexico can stop new fracking permits to protect

      our health, environment and people.

      Leases and permits have been stockpiled.

      Revenues will continue.

      New Mexico can be a world leader in renewable energy development and economic reform

      by pausing all new fracking permits on state lands

      and addressing the impacts on frontline communities.

      Professor Cliff Villa to speak at the 

      NM Senate Judiciary on Senate Bill 149 

      Professor Villa brings extensive practice experience to the UNM law school community, having served for 22 years as legal counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, first with EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and later with EPA Regional offices in Denver, Colorado, and Seattle, Washington. Over time, his EPA practice included administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement of federal laws such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. For the last eight years of his practice, Professor Villa served as legal officer for the EPA's emergency response program, providing on-call legal assistance for federal responses to hazardous waste sites, oil spills, natural disasters, and other major concerns.

       

      In 2006, Professor Villa joined the adjunct faculty at Seattle University School of Law, where he taught courses in environmental law and developed new courses including Disaster Law. As a lawyer and academic, he has spoken at conferences throughout the United States as well as in Spain and Latin America, and he has published scholarly work in places including the Harvard Environmental Law Review and the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law.

      As a federal attorney, Professor Villa received multiple awards for commendable service from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2008, recognizing his contributions to public service as both an attorney and educator, he received the Modelo de Excelencia award from the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington. In 2009, Professor Villa was honored with the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award from Seattle University School of Law. In 2013, he received the Distinguished Environmental Law Graduate award from Lewis & Clark Law School.

       

      Professor Villa received his J.D.. from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of New Mexico. He was born and raised in Albuquerque, with local roots tracing back to the Atrisco Land Grant of 1692.

      In the News

      • Protecting Endangered Species, KUNM Let's Talk New Mexico (August 27, 2019)
      • Here and There with David Marash, KSFR (February 17, 2016)
      • The Animas River spill, KSFR (August 20, 2015)
      • Who Pays for Animas and San Juan River Cleanup, KUNM (August 20, 2015)
      • Gold King Mine in Silverton, Colorado, KOAT (August 12, 2015)
      • Experto explica como el derrame puede afectar a la comunidad, Entravision (August 12, 2015)

      Law School News

      • Law Professor Cliff Villa leads effort to update book on environmental justice
        May 8, 2020

      • Professor Cliff Villa Selected as 2018 Haub Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar
        October 26, 2018

      • Legal Planet Features UNM Law Professor Cliff Villa as Guest Blogger
        May 18, 2018

      • A Practical Introduction to Environmental Law was published just in time for Professor Cliff Villa to use in his Environmental Law class this semester
        September 27, 2017

      • Two UNM Law Professors participate in DAPL talk by renowned activist
        March 24, 2017

      UNM School of Law Professor Cliff Villa is adding to the growing influence of the law school’s Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREL) program with the release of Environmental Justice: Law, Policy, & Regulation, Third Edition, which was recently published by Carolina Academic Press of Durham, N.C. (ISBN, 978-1-5310-1238-0; e-ISBN978-1-5310-1239-7).

       

      The book explores theories and practices in this dynamic subject, which fuses environmental law and civil rights enforcement and addresses everything from early concerns over toxic waste in minority communities to disaster justice and has been expanded to consider the range of environmental threats facing poor, immigrant, and indigenous communities; women, children, and seniors; and other vulnerable populations.

       

      This third edition also provides extensively updated materials to address environmental justice concerns in current times, including oil drilling in the Arctic, the Dakota Access Pipeline, drinking water contamination in Flint, and the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

       

      “The second edition was very successful, but it came out in 2009,” said Professor Villa, who served as the lead author for the third edition. “For the third edition, we wanted to make the most up-to-date book on environmental justice for both students and practitioners of environmental justice. We also wanted to demonstrate that environmental justice is not just about identifying problems of environmental injustice, but about solving problems.”

       

      The updated book also includes new chapters that address disaster justice and food justice as well as expanding coverage of environmental enforcement, contaminated sites, climate justice, and environmental justice in Indian country – all with an eye towards identifying modern challenges and available tools for the continuing pursuit of environmental justice.

      New Mexico Ethics Watch Report on Oil and gas influence  in campaigns

      New Mexico Ethics Watch Report

      The Continuing Influence of the Oil and Gas Industry In New Mexico in 2020

      A new report by New Mexico Ethics Watch, money from oil and gas interests to New Mexico politicians and political organizations continued to flow, with almost $3.3 million from the industry going to political causes during this past election cycle..

      We need to stop the ongoing fracking pollution impacts to protect our communities while a plan is developed.

      We need to rethink our reliance on fossil fuels regarding the revenue for education.

      The conundrum for lawmakers is that while

      fossil fuel contributes to state educational revenues,

      it destroys our children's future through the climate crisis.

      We must pause fracking to plan for a better future.

      Take action by sending a letter to Legislators

      TAKE ACTION

      READ MORE ABOUT IT

    • We Need Your Help

      Dear Residents and Activists,

       

      The Letter Campaign is directed to the Legislative committees member in the Conservation, Judiciary and Legislative Finance that the Bill 149 is scheduled to be heard.

       

      Please call or email Governor Lujan Grisham and legislative Lead

      Here is a separate link to email the Governors office and the House Speaker and Senate leaders.

      • Please call Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, (505) 476-2200 or email the Governor today! State that you support the fracking bill SB 149.
      • Ask the Governor to Declare a Climate Emergency
      • Ask her to support and sign the Pause on Fracking Legislation (SB 149).
      • Let her know why this legislation is important to you.
      • Remind her of the benefits of this bill

      LETTER WRITING TAKE ACTION

       

      The Letter Campaign is directed to the Legislative committees member in the Conservation, Judiciary and Legislative Finance that the Bill 149 is scheduled to be heard.​

      New Mexico's 2021 legislative session has begun. We all need to work together to support frontline and Indigenous communities affected by fracking, as well as supporting the youth's call for immediate action on the climate crisis. It is important to send these letters and make the calls to show the governor and legislators public support for a Pause on Fracking in New Mexico. We will continue our campaign until a moratorium is passed and the people are heard.

       

      • Bring this recent event to the attention of our lawmakers in the Conservation, Judiciary and Legislative finance Committee by sending this digital letter.
      • The January 21st, 2020 explosion of a "produced water" line - just 100 feet from a family residence in Carlsbad - illuminates the serious gaps in a broken regulatory system that are putting the health and safety of all New Mexicans at risk.
      • The disposal of so-called "produced water"- in reality, the fracking industry's liquid toxic waste - is creating a public health emergency of unprecedented scope across America. In 2018, more than 42 billion gallons of produced water were created in NM's Permian Basin alone.
      • Please take the time to read this letter, follow the links, and send it on to our elected officials.
      • The recent discovery of a dumping of 288 tons TENORM radioactive waste into the Rio Rancho Landfill from brine salts in which residents are still waiting for testing. We can be silent no longer.
      • Read SB 149 for yourself. SB 149 is sponsored by Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Dist. 16) and Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Dist. 13). We need this bill to address health studies, health protections and safety Issues from fracking in New Mexico.
      SEND YOUR LETTER
    • Blog

      SB 149 Expert Speaker NM Senate Conservation Committee
      February 14, 2021
      New Mexico can stop new fracking permits, protect health, environment and people. Dr Sandra...
      Senate Bill 149 Senate Bill 149 Fiscal Impact Report May Not Paint A Complete Picture
      March 15, 2021
      By Elaine Cimino Common Ground Community Trust With the climate crisis on the minds of billions...
      Senate Bill 149 Fiscal Impact Report May Not Paint A Complete Picture
      March 9, 2021
      This was published in the Rio Rancho Observer March 6, 2021  the Bill is currently being...
      Expert Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 149 (the “fracking pause” bill) New Mexico State Senate Conservation Committee Legislative Hearing
      February 14, 2021
      Sandra Steingraber, PhD Distinguished Scholar in Residence Department of Environmental Studies...
      Pause Fracking For Protections Senate Bill 149 Moves Forward
      February 14, 2021
      Pause Fracking For Protections Bill Moves Forward Reasonable Request to Safeguard New Mexicans...
      The Contamination of Rio Rancho, NM
      February 10, 2021
      THE CONTAMINATION OF RIO RANCHO By Eddie Paulsgrove USACE Regulatory Project Manager (Ret) and...
      Toxic Health Impacts from Fracking in New Mexico
      February 3, 2020 · Fracking,SB104,New Mexico,Legislation
      Toxic Health Impacts from Fracking in New Mexico By Mark LeClaire On January 21th all hell...
      Stop the Mid Region Council of Governments (MRCOG)
      November 3, 2019 · Fracking,Take action
      Time to tell the MRCOG Water Resources Board It’s time for a Moratorium We are in a Climate...
      Produced Water A Call to Action
      October 1, 2019 · Water,Oil and Gas,Take action
      Produced Water A Call to Action More American are faced with deregulation of environmental...
      TOWN HALL ON NM FRACKING, BRINE WELLS AND A PRESENTATION
      September 8, 2019 · Committee,Fracking,Brine
      TOWN HALL ON NM FRACKING, BRINE WELLS AND A PRESENTATION 6 PM, September 30th 2019 Rio Rancho...
      Tell the NM Environment Department: No More Corporate Water Grabs!
      July 4, 2019 · Water
      Tell the NM Environment Department: No More Corporate Water Grabs! Fellow Activists, A...
      NM Conservation Committee Rolls Over Frontline Communities needing a Pause on Fracking for Protections
      April 3, 2019 · Moratorium,Fracking,Committee
      NM Conservation Committee Rolls Over Frontline Communities needing a Pause on Fracking for...
      More Posts
    • CONNECT WITH US

    • SENATE BILL 149:

      PROHIBIT NEW FRACKING LICENSES

      AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES; PROHIBITING THE ISSUANCE OF NEW HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PERMITS; CREATING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

      SPONSORS:

      Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
      Patricia Roybal Caballero

      ​KEY COMPONENTS:

      • A four-year moratorium on new fracking permits so that agencies have time to report;
      • Reporting requirements from eight state agencies on the impacts of fracking;
      • Requires agencies to provide policy and funding recommendations to properly regulate fracking in New Mexico.

      SHORT SYNOPSIS:

      Short Synopsis:

      SB 149 calls on the constitutional obligation of the New

      Mexico Legislature to control pollution and protect the air, water and other natural resources

      of this state. In line with the executive order from President Biden pausing new federal oil

      and gas leases to analyze the cumulative impacts of fracking, SB 149 places a four-year

      moratorium on new oil and gas permits wherein the Energy Minerals Natural Resources

      Department, Department of Agriculture, Environment Department, Department of Health,

      Office of the State Engineer, Indian Affairs Department, and Workers Compensation

      Administration are directed to report on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, as well as

      provide recommendations for legislation and appropriations to conduct analysis.

      BACKGROUND:

      New Mexico’s leadership is unable to make informed decisions regarding oil and gas

      regulation because there is a glaring lack of knowledge and reporting requirements related to

      industrialized fracking - multi-stage horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing - and its

      impacts on our lands, water, air, public health and safety.

      SB 149 finally provides for the State of New Mexico to learn the truth about fracking. The Bill

      allows for reasonable restraint, asking for a pause on new fracking permits until state

      agencies are able to report to decision makers.

      PROBLEM:

      New Mexico’s leadership are unable to make informed decisions regarding oil and gas regulation because there is a glaring lack of knowledge and reporting requirements related to multi-stage hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling and the impacts of this industry on our lands, water, air, and public health and safety.

      The oil industry is impacting frontline communities.

      SOLUTION:

      • SB 149 finally provides for the State of New Mexico to learn the truth about fracking. The Bill allows for reasonable restraint, asking for a pause on new fracking permits until state agencies are able to report to decision makers.
      • “The protection of the state's beautiful and healthful environment is hereby declared to be of fundamental importance to the public interest, health, safety and the general welfare. The legislature shall provide for control of pollution and control of despoilment of the air, water and other natural resources of this state, consistent with the use and development of these resources for the maximum benefit of the people.” -Article XX, Section 21 of the New Mexico Constitution.

       
      It’s good business to do your research.

      • SB 149 gives legislators the time and information they need to responsibly manage industrialized fracking in our state.
      • The ultimate goal of the bill is to learn the whole truth about fracking, providing  a pause for protections so that this new onslaught of industrialized oil and gas activity does not do irreparable harm to our culture, health, water, or environment.

       

       
      This isn’t conventional oil and gas. This bill helps us look before we leap.

      • Conventional drilling used vertical wells at 1,000 feet below ground where multi-stage fracking and horizontal drilling – industrialized fracking - drills 10times that depth and horizontally up to two miles in every direction.
      • Industrialized fracking isn’t regulated under the Clean Water Act and other federal safeguards (NEPA, WOTUS) are being rolled-back by the Trump Administration. Right now, the Environment Department is the sole agency reviewing proposals to dump radioactive fracking waste water into our rivers, streams, and onto crops.
      • Currently our state agencies know next to nothing about how many industrial wells are

        operating what impacts they have on our communities, environment, and long term

        health.

       
      We don’t know enough about fracking in New Mexico other states have already done studies.

      • New Mexico is now one of the top three oil and gas producing states in the nation, but we still have the worst public education and the highest rates of child poverty in the country. If oil and gas were going to make us rich, we’d be rich by now.
      • The volatility of relying on oil and gas revenue has left our state with a budget shortfall

        of hundreds of millions of dollars , while operators routinely leak, spill, and explode

        toxic fracking waste across New Mexico daily.

      • Over 2000 peer-reviewed papers confirm fracking-related pollution leads to increased rates of cancer, birth defects, and pulmonary disease for residents and workers, but New Mexicans living within 300 ft of wells don’t know what’s happening in their backyards.

       

        Support transparency. Pause for protections.

        • Senate Bill 149 provides a temporary four year moratorium on new fracking permits so that agencies have time to report and provide policy recommendations for legislators to consider.
        TAKE ACTION NOW

        LINKS TO ARTICLES:

        It was Raining On Us, Carlsbad Family
        Rolling Stone: America's Radioactive Secret
        Compendium of Scientific Findings on Fracking
        WPX Fire in Naghezzi, NM

      • OIL & GAS INCIDENTS IN NEW MEXICO

        Interactive Map Created and Maintained by WildEarth Guardians

      Copyright © 2019 - Pause Fracking for Protections

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