JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

GREENFIRETIMES.COMVOLUME 12 NUMBER 1

NEW MEXICO 2020: ISSUES TO WATCH

The NM Environmental Law Center’s Top-10 Issues

Dreaming Beyond Extraction

Community Voices: Activism and Resilience

Youth United for Climate Crisis Action

(YUCCA)

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COVER

YUCCA STUDENT LEADERS DESTINA WARNER AND ANGELICA BOHANAN (L-R), FROM THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS, SPEAKING AT THE CLIMATE STRIKE AT THE NEW MEXICO CAPITOL ON SEPT. 20, 2019. THEY CALLED FOR URGENT ACTION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND AN END TO EXTRACTION ON INDIGENOUS LANDS. PHOTO © SETH ROFFMAN

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VOLUME 12 NO. 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

CONTENTS

YUCCA: DREAMING BEYOND

EXTRACTIONWe are honored to partner with Green Fire Times to bring you the 124th issue of this critical publication. For three years, Earth Care has co-curated the January “Community Resilience” issue to mark another year in the trenches in the face of these troubling times. This year, Earth Care’s Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA) invited articles related to the theme, “Dreaming Beyond Extraction.” State-ments from YUCCA’s steering commmittee were co-written by the group. Members include Veroaylin Campos, Artemisio Romero y Carver, Eliza Hillenkamp, Seneca Johnson, Ruby Lopez, Josue Martínez, Faith Pennell-Sutton, Nayeli Solis and Yang Toledo.

We have 10 years to transform our economy in order to address the climate crisis. In New Mexico, that presents both the challenge and the opportunity to transition away from extraction and to build a dignified, renewable and life-gener-ating economy. This edition of Green Fire Times outlines some of the issues we need to tackle in 2020, as well as opportuni-ties for action and movement building. Thanks for reading!

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OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, OUR CHILDREN ARE INSIDE – YUCCA (YOUTH UNITED FOR CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION) / 4

THE NM ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER’S TOP 10 ISSUES TO WATCH – DOUGLAS MEIKLEJOHN / 6

FOOL ME ONCE… – RALPH VIGIL / 10

NEW MEXICO WATER DIALOGUE / RIO CHAMA CONGRESO / 11

THE LIVE EARTH AND EXTRACTIVE ENERGY – CHILI YAZZIE / 12

GROUNDING OUR CLIMATE JUSTICE WORK – YANG TOLEDO / 13

DEMANDS FOR A JUST TRANSITION – KIMBERLY SMITH AND MAKAI LEWIS / 15

PUBLIC CONDEMNS SALE OF ANCESTRAL TRIBAL AND PUBLIC LANDS – REBECCA SOBEL / 16

THE PERMIAN BASIN: FROM PREHISTORIC REEF TO CLIMATE INFERNO – CHARLOTTE GRUBB / 18

FRACKED WATER – FRACKED HEALTH – ELAINE CIMINO / 19

LANL – A WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS – JONI ARENDS / 21

YUCCA’S NUCLEAR PERSPECTIVE / 23

RENEWING HEALTH-PROMOTING HABITS IN THE NEW YEAR – JAPA K. KHALSA / 24

SHIFTING FROM SUGAR: DIABETES IN NEW MEXICO – SUSAN GUYETTE / 26

IT TAKES A VILLAGE – A BENEFIT FOR HONOR THE EARTH AND TNAFA / 27

NEWSBITES / 11, 12, 16, 21, 23, 28

WHAT’S GOING ON / 29

Student Climate Strike at the New Mexico capitol, Santa Fe, Sept. 20, 2019. © Seth Roffman

– INTRODUCTION –

OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, OUR CHILDREN ARE INSIDEA Declaration of the Climate Emergency and a Call for Intergenerational JusticeFROM YUCCA (YOUTH UNITED FOR CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION)

At one-degree warming, we are already seeing the devastating impacts of severe weather events, longer and deeper droughts, California and Australia aflame, food and water shortages, forced dis-placement, costly damage to infrastructure and communities and the beginning of the sixth mass

extinction.

Will you be alive in 2030 to witness whether the world achieves its commitments under the Paris Climate Agree-ment? Will we finally begin changing course in order to hit the 1.5-de-gree cap that scientists advise, or if we will con-tinue down our current emissions path toward 3.5 degree warming? (1)

How about in 2050, when scientists predict

that global fisheries will collapse and the tens of millions of people worldwide who depend on the oceans for sustenance no longer have food? (2)

Will you be alive in 2100 when scientists predict New Mexico’s conifer forests will be gone forever? When those same scientists warn that our current trajectory toward 3.5-to-4 degrees of warming will mean “vast changes to the environment, including:

• Ice vanishing from both poles

• Many rainforests turning to desert

• Rising sea levels flooding into the interior of continents

• Irreversible loss of diversity among plants and animals

We will be alive. We will be alive, and we will be faced with the consequences of your genera-tion’s mass consumption, waste and fossil-fueled “prosperity.” We will be faced with the conse-quences of your generation’s inaction and complacency. We will be alive for ecosystem collapse, for mass starvation, for one billion climate refugees. (3) We will be alive for climate destabilization.

We will be alive as the miraculous species of these sacred lands leave us forever, one by one, no matter our pleading to know and love them. We will be alive with the grief and profound sorrow of mass extinction, mass displacement and mass destruction.

Perhaps this is why we have such different perspectives on the climate crisis as young people.The adult world marches on as if everything is normal. We live at a time when we have just 10 years to cut our emissions by half—requiring massive change in every sector of our economy and in our daily lives. Yet nothing of note is changing. In fact, over the last year the United States overtook Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest producer of crude oil. Our coun-try is also the world’s largest producer of natural gas, and we increased natural gas exports by 53 percent in 2018.

New Mexico’s total carbon footprint also grew—thanks to our Permian Basin boom. The Permian Basin is the largest oil reserve in the world, and our current leadership intends to

GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020 4

exploit every drop. It’s a tragic irony that the only mention of the Permian in the recently published Climate Change Report signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham states, “The Perm-ian Basin has enriched New Mexico, and the oil and gas industry is expected to grow and continue supporting our economy in the future.”

We are headed toward a cliff, racing at 200 miles an hour. We young people are strapped in the backseat—screaming and beg-ging for those driving to hit the breaks and change course. Instead, those in power are hitting the accelerator—promising that the bridge they’ve been building incrementally for decades will be ready to save us someday. Someday….

The first issue we need to address is that we are operating from two fundamentally different premises. One is based in science (and our lived experience of the climate crisis). The other is based on what proponents call “pragmatism” but could also be called convenience, delusion and, quite frankly, cowardice. We need the adults and “leaders” in the room to acknowledge the existential threat that climate change poses. If science is not the premise, we’re not having the right conversation. Greta Thunberg, in her address at COP25 in Spain, demanded world leaders focus on the science. She said, “For about a year I have been constantly talking about our rapidly declining carbon budgets over and over again. But since that is still being ignored, I will just keep repeating it....[In the] IPCC report that came out last year, it says that if we ought to have a 6-to-7 percent chance of limiting the global tem-perature rise to below 1.5C degrees, we had on January 1, 2018, 420 gigatons of CO2 left to emit in that budget. And of course, that number is much lower today, as we emit about 42 gigatons of CO2 every year, including aviation. With today’s emissions levels, that remaining budget will be gone within about eight years. These numbers aren’t anyone’s opinions or political views. This is the current best available science.”

We need every one of our leaders to acknowledge the cliff we are on. We need leaders to rise to the challenge of tackling the climate crisis head-on by working in service to the people as communities come together to transform our society at every level. Or we need them to have the courage to step aside. We need every candidate and every elected official to say openly and honestly that we are facing a Climate Emergency and act accordingly. That means No Fossil Fuel campaign contributions. That means the climate crisis and just transition as a premise for every campaign and every pol-icy proposal and an explicit response to each of our demands. An emergency is not an item on your to-o list—it is something that

demands urgent and sustained attention and action until it is under control. That is what we expect from our leaders. Otherwise, as Greta said at COP25, commitment and pledges that knowingly fall short of what is needed but create the perception of change are “misleading.” She warns that these gestures toward change will prove even more dangerous than inaction because they will quell public outrage and pressure—effectively lulling us back to sleep as we march dutifully over the edge.

We demand accountability and transparency. If current leaders are falling short, they should expect to be primaried and challenged.

New Mexico’s total carbon foot-print has grown—thanks to our Permian Basin boom.

We will be alive as the mirac-ulous species of these sacred lands leave us forever.

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Since last September, we’ve been organizing and mobilizing to demand immediate action on the climate emergency and accountability from our governor and lawmakers. We mobilized more than 5,000 New Mexicans for the climate strike. They joined over four million young people around the world to demand immediate and urgent action. Our struggle here in New Mexico is rooted in our people’s rich traditions of loving and defending the land and fighting for environmental justice. Our Climate Strike Campaign has continued to grow and build strength with calls for direct action and civil disobedience that adult allies have answered and with partnerships that are growing across our intersectional movements for environmental and social justice.

This legislative session we will be turning up the pressure. Our basic de-mands remain the same:

1. Immediately declare a Climate Emergency in the state of New Mexico

2. Create a Just Transition Fund from Oil & Gas Revenues to sup-port the research, planning, and implementation necessary to end New Mexico's dependence on fossil fuel revenues, to achieve car-bon neutrality for our state by 2040, and build a sustainable econo-my that works for all New Mexicans—no more sacrifice zones.

3. Pass a moratorium on fracking to protect our water and our health and preserve the countless sacred Indigenous sites threatened by fracking.

4. Pass community solar legislation by 2020.

5. Ensure New Mexico is powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

We will be working to advance these demands with specific policy propos-als in 2020. The launch of our C4 organization is enabling us to get directly involved both politically and in the election process. We are calling on all adults to join us, as allies, for as we acknowledge the climate emergency, we must also acknowledge the deep intergenerational wounding and injustice it presents—and begin our work toward healing.

1. https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/usa/

2. https://news.stanford.edu/news/2006/november8/ocean-110806.html

3. Pottsdam Institute for Climate Impact and Research and Climate Analytics ¢

We are building an intergenerational climate justice movement. Please join us on the first day of the 2020 Legislative session, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. at the Roundhouse. To learn more and get involved, sign up at www.climatestrikenm.org.

YUCCA is coordinated by Earth Care, a Santa Fe-based nonprofit that trains young activists in social and environmental justice organizing and supports intergenerational campaigns to advance climate justice, sustainability, democracy and civil rights. YUCCA’s steering committee represents diverse communities of northern New Mexico including Indigenous, Latiinx, Chicanx and low-income communities. www.youthunited4climatecrisisaction.org

Student Climate Strike at the New Mexico capitol, Santa Fe, Sept. 20, 2019Photos © Seth Roffman, except second from top on left, courtesy YUCCA

We are headed toward a cliff, racing at 200 miles an hour. We young people are strapped in the backseat.

GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020 6

The New Mexico Environmental Law Center ’ s Top 10 Issues

BY DOUGLAS MEIKLEJOHN

For the last two years, this annual article has highlighted actions of the Trump administration. That is the case this year as well. However, we are starting to see the results of New Mexico’s new administration in state-level policies and rules that could actually protect the air, land and water for our communities. Here are some of the top stories to watch in 2020.

1) Trump Withdraws from the Paris Agreement... and Youth Lead the Resistance

On Nov. 4, 2019, President Trump announced that the U.S. was withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change. It takes one year after the official announcement for a country to finally withdraw, meaning Nov. 4, 2020, or one day after the 2020 presidential election. The Trump administration’s approach to climate change is clear:

Table showing U.S. oil and gas expan-sion compared with the total projected expansion of the next nine producers. Table by Rystad Energy UCube, in Oil, Gas and the Climate: An Analysis of Oil and Gas Industry Plans for Expansion and Compatibility with Global Emission Limits (Dec. 2019), a project of the Global Gas and Oil Network (www.ggon.org).

While the U.S.

pushes accelerated carbon extraction, the response domestically and internationally has been aggressive action on climate change, much of it youth-led. In New Mexico, one of the most visible climate organiza-tions is Earth Care’s YUCCA (Youth United 4 Climate Crisis Action, www.youthunited4climatecrisisaction.org), a Santa Fe-based nonprofit that trains young activists and supports intergenerational campaigns in social and environmental justice organizing. Earth Care’s YUCCA co-curated this issue of Green Fire Times in order to spotlight important environmental justice issues in our state as we begin the new year. 2020 will surely see the continued increase in numbers and strength of the climate crisis movement.

2) Trump Administration Gutting the Clean Water ActThe Clean Water Act (CWA) gives the federal Environmental Pro-tection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers the respon-sibility to regulate water pollution in “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). In September 2019, the EPA finalized a new rule that significantly limits federal protections in “traditional navigable wa-ters” and eliminates protections for ephemeral waters—waters that flow only with rainfall or snowmelt. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has estimated that as much as 96 percent of the stream miles in the state might lose federal protections under the new definition.

The EPA has also proposed changes to regulations that implement Section 401 of the CWA, which allows a state—or a tribe with CWA authorization—to verify that a discharge under a federal permit or license complies with existing state or tribal water quality rules. New Mexico would be particularly affected by changes to 401 certifications because it is one of only three states that do not have authorization from the EPA to administer National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and are dependent on the EPA for that.

With these two regulatory changes, New Mexico’s waters will have drastically reduced protection under the Clean Water Act, and even where federal permits may be issued, the state and tribes could lose the ability to intervene if their water quality standards are not being met under the federal permit. The Law Center has filed comments on both of these regulatory changes on behalf of our client, Amigos Bravos.

YUCCA Climate Strike banner (www.youthunited4climatecrisisaction.org)

A pipe discharging into a river in New Mexico. Photo: NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau

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3) Tererro Mine in Pecos WatershedA proposed new mine in the Upper Pecos watershed near Tererro shows what early and sustained community mobilization can accomplish. On April 4, 2019, New World Cobalt announced it had acquired land near the site of the previous Tererro Mine. The community, led by the Upper Pecos Water-shed Association (UPWA, represented by the Law Center), organized to resist proposed new mining by Comexico, a subsidiary of New World Cobalt. The proposed mine site is almost entirely in Santa Fe County, but the impacts to water resources and communities are in San Miguel County, with tributaries running east to the Pecos River.

Comexico has submitted an application to the Mining and Minerals Division of the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department for exploratory drilling. Because it would be on federal Forest Service land, the proposed mine also needs to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. On Dec. 2, 2019, the Forest Service issued a Scoping Letter on the proposed exploratory drilling project, and is seeking public comments. The Scoping Letter is the first step in the NEPA process. You can comment on the Scoping Letter by going to the Forest Service website for the proposed mine (see below.)

(https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56733).

4) Gila DiversionOn Dec. 20, 2019 the U.S. Department of the Interior told the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project that the federal agency was cutting off access to over $56 million in funding because the state had failed after 15 years to identify a feasible diversion project on the Gila River, and, because of this, the Bureau of Reclamation was unable to complete its draft Environmental Impact Statement before the Dec. 31 deadline. However, community organizing has led to alternative proposals for sustainable supply of irrigation and drinking water to the area while leaving the Gila free-flowing. The state Interstate Stream Commission could use other funds to try to complete a diversion project or it could support the community-based approaches.

5) Kirtland Air Force Base Consent DecreeIn the 20 years since a jet fuel leak was discovered at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), progress in dealing with the groundwater contamination, especially from ethylene dibromide, a known carcinogen, has been slow. There continue to be doubts that the

Upper Pecos River near Dalton Picnic Area. Photo: Michael Jensen, NMELC

U.S. Forest Service map of the proposed Tererro mine site

Stop Tererro Mine (https://stoptererromine.org)

June 25, 2019 meeting of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association. Photo: Michael Jensen, NMELC

Gila River, lower Colorado Region, New Mexico Unit of the Central Arizona ProjectPhoto: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

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plume is under control and that treatment is working. The SouthWest Orga-nizing Project (SWOP) and other organizations and individuals, represented by the Law Center, are working to force KAFB to take decisive, effective action. They filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) in 2019 and the Air Force has be-gun discussions. As a result, the Law Center prepared a draft Consent Decree for review by the Air Force, and there could be a response in 2020.

CommunityBoundary

Exhibit1–CommunityBoundary*Thisexhibitshowstheapproximateloca<onofthecontamina<onplumebasedon2015dataprovidedbyKirtlandAirForceBase.

**Thisexhibitissubjecttomodifica<ononceupdateddatabecomesavailable.

6) Air Force PFAS Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in many industries since the 1940s. There is substantial scientific evidence that PFAS pose significant human health and ecological risks. The Air Force began testing its facilities around the country for PFAS in 2009 and in 2018 detected PFAS at the Schaap family dairy near Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis along with about 10 other sites in the area. The New Mexico attor-ney general and NMED filed litigation to get the U.S. Air Force to conduct prompt cleanup of toxic pollutants at both Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases. The soil, groundwater and surface water at the bases are contaminated with PFAS contained in fire-fighting foam used at the bases.

The Air Force is arguing that it is protected by the “sovereign immunity” of the federal government and that federal law prevents a lawsuit that challenges an ongoing Superfund cleanup. However, the federal government has explicit-ly waived immunity under two relevant environmental laws, and the Air Force is not currently engaged in an ongoing cleanup. Three members of the state

Legislature, Sen. Mimi Stewart, Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Rep. Andrés Rome-ro, represented by the Law Center, filed an Amici Curiae—“Friends of the Court”—brief in support of the NMED litigation with the U.S. District Court.

7) LANL 2016 Consent OrderIn 2005 Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) management entered into a Con-sent Order, agreeing to fully characterize all of its historical waste sites and clean up its legacy waste within 10 years. LANL failed to meet that deadline, but rather than enforce the 2005 Order, the Martínez administration issued a new consent order in 2016 in response to the threat of litigation by Nuclear Watch New Mexico (NWNM), with representation by the Law Center and others, with, potentially, over $272 million in fines for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). A U.S. District Court judge ruled in July 2018 that parts of the lawsuit could move forward. There will likely soon be a ruling on the outstanding motions for summary judgment that the judge allowed to proceed.

Kathy Sanchez (middle, in blue), founder of Tewa Women United, leading a “toxic tour” of the area around LANL. Photo: Mi-chael Jensen, NMELC

The Río Grande flowing through White Rock Canyon below LANL. Photo: Michael Jensen, NMELC

“Community Boundary map showing the jet fuel plume and the Ridgecrest wells. Map from the draft Consent Decree prepared by the NMELC

The preliminary “area of concern” around Cannon Air Force Base; map produced by the NMED for a public meeting held on April 29, 2019

Aerial photo of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo: LANL

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8) Produced WaterIn 2019, the Legislature passed, and the governor signed, HB546, the Produced Water Act, which requires new rules allowing use of pro-duced water outside of oil and gas production. Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas operations and is typically re-used in fracking operations. It always contains oil and is usually very saline. It often has heavy metals and what is called “NORM” (naturally occurring radioac-tive material). In other words, PW is an industrial waste and, in many cases, a hazardous waste. A coalition of environmental and public health organizations has formed to ensure that PW meets stringent water quality standards and that use stays within oil and gas operations. The NMED, along with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) held meetings around the state to get public input on this critical issue. Draft rules could come out in 2020, with opportunities for further public comment.

9) Methane RuleThe Trump administration withdrew the 2015 Obama administration federal methane rule that required best industry practices at oil and gas operations on federal land in order to reduce methane releases from leaks, venting and flaring of methane. Environmental organizations

and Gov. Lujan Grisham are now developing a state methane rule. The Methane Advisory Panel—made up of agency, environmental and industry representatives (including Staff At-torney Charles de Saillan of the Law Center)—released its draft technical document (https://www.env.nm.gov/new-mexico-methane-strategy/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/08/MAP-Draft-Technical-Report-December-19-2019.pdf) for public comment in December,

with comments due Feb. 20, 2020. Comments may be submitted to nm.methanestrategy@state.nm.us or sent by mail to: 1190 St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505 (Attention: Sandra Ely). Following public comment, the agencies and panel members will host public meetings to discuss options for reducing methane identified in the technical report.

10) Regulatory CloutNew Mexico went through eight years of environmental- and environmental justice-deregu-lation under the Martinez administration and is now entering the fourth year of deregulation at the federal level under Trump. The state needs significant re-regulation supported by large increases in budgets and staffing for agencies whose work impacts the environment. Federal actions (or inaction) have left or will leave the state vulnerable to deterioration of water and air quality. These will require the state to find ways to assert its own authority to protect New Mexico’s air, land, and water.

Much of the work to protect the environment comes from frontline communities, usually low-income communities of color, which have long carried the disproportionate burden of environmental contamination in their communities. This will continue to be the case, and the state needs to work with and support these efforts, rather than—as has often been the case—ignore these voices or subvert them. By uniting with diverse communities, the state can find and assert its own way forward in the face of a federal government determined to destroy the environment for the benefit of corporate interests. The Trump administration’s environmen-tally destructive policies and actions have motivated individuals and organizations to mobilize and push back. This is a very hopeful sign and maybe the biggest story to watch in 2020. ¢

Douglas Meiklejohn founded the New Mexico Environmental Law Center in 1987 and has spent more than 40 years as an attorney working for the public interest, with a focus on representing New Mexicans whose communities are impacted by environ-mental injustice. In 2019, he was designated a “Santa Fe Living Treasure.”

Encana Energy Oil Fields appear like a circuit board near Midland, Texas. Creative Commons photo.

Methane flaring from a drill site. Photo courtesy the Sierra Club

In Dec. 2019, Eric Janz, staff attorney for the Law Center, was honored by the Natural Resources, Energy and Environ-mental Law section of the New Mexico Bar Association as Lawyer of the Year.

Since 1987, the Law Center has been fighting for New Mexico’s communities and the air, land and water we all need to thrive. The Center is a non-profit environmental justice law firm that provides free or low-cost legal repre-sentation throughout the state. The Center’s clients advocate for environmental protection, public health and community quality-of-life. The Law Center does not accept government funding. It is supported through donations from individuals, local companies and foundations. www.nmelc.org .

10 GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020

Fool Me Once . . .Our fragile watershed can’t sustain another mining operation.BY RALPH VIGIL

In early June I was getting ready for my day at 4 a.m. as usual when I looked at my phone and noticed that my wife had forwarded an article on a popular news app. I opened the message and my eyes immediately focused on the words “Australia-based mining company to explore the Jones Hill deposit with-in the Santa Fe National Forest north of Pecos.”

At that moment I decided to spring into action. I didn’t care how early it was; I immediately started texting and emailing leaders of acequia, land grant, tribal and environmental communities to come together to start looking into this proposed project and put a stop to it. The response was quick. Soon, a historic coalition was formed with dozens of organizations representing environmen-tal, acequia and watershed groups, along with local governments and tons of community members, all working together to protect all that our watershed provides for us.

New World Cobalt’s subsidiary, Comexico LLC, announced on April 9, 2019 that they had acquired the Tererro Copper-Gold-Zinc VMS project in New Mexico. The agreements they entered into provide them the right to acquire 100 percent interest in 20 federal mining claims, which encompass 400 acres. They also staked new federal claims covering 4,300 acres. The proposed proj-ect is to drill as many as 30 holes up to 4,000 feet deep. They talk about this being an outstanding opportunity to develop a new camp near the Jones Hill Deposit and that their strategy is to advance the development of the deposit to expand its resource base now that metal prices have improved. While they claim that this is just an “exploratory project,” we were not born yesterday, and we know they intend to explore to discover and sell to a mining company, and we all know what happens next. Please visit their website to view their boasts about this project. You will see for yourselves that their intent is not just to explore.

As per the very outdated General Mining Act of 1872, the Forest Service can-not reject a proposal to explore valid mineral claims on Forest Service lands, but it can and will place conditions on the project. The Forest Service is cur-

rently in the scop-ing phase, which will determine the conditions they set. They held a public meeting on Dec.

12, 2019 in Pecos to explain the proposed scope of work. A 30-day public comment period ends on Jan. 17. It is crucial that concerned citizens get their comments in asap so that conditions may be set that reflect our concerns.

The public meeting was packed with hundreds of residents who made it clear that this project is not welcome in our watershed. Their application with the state’s Mining and Minerals Division is awaiting a public hearing, which will likely take place in March at the earliest. Santa Fe County has passed a hard-rock mining ordinance, and San Miguel County is hoping to follow suit soon. The village, county and the Upper Pecos Watershed Association are currently seeking Outstanding National Resource Waters protections for the Pecos River, from the headwaters to the village.

What’s at stake? Most residents in the area know the answer to that. We are still recov-ering from irresponsible mining operations. Ninety thousand fish were killed off in 1991 due to disturbed soil from the cleanup that leached contaminants into the river during a spring runoff event. Millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to clean up the

mess after companies’ subsidiaries went bankrupt and took no responsibility for the destruction they created. The Irreversible impacts will be felt for hundreds of years.

We must be mindful of the importance of our watershed that provides so much that all of life depends on and everything we can’t live without. And that is water! The Upper Pecos Watershed is vital, sacred, and makes all life possible along its corridor, all the way to the Río Grande in Texas and out to the Gulf of Mexico. This area has been sacred to all people of the surrounding indigenous tribes, who have depend-ed on its resources for thousands of years. Its diversity of life, scenery and solitude attract over a million visitors a year.

I can’t even begin to explain what it means to me; it would take several books and hundreds of years to put that into words. All I can say is Life! As an eighth-gener-ation farmer, steward of the land and protector of water, I will fight to protect the place that has provided for generations of my family and will continue to provide for generations to come. I will not stand by and allow corporate greed, the promise of jobs and lies of the “good” this will bring to my community to go unchecked. We have sustained ourselves on the Pecos through our acequias, traditions and culture for hundreds of years and the quality of our water has been essential to that survival.

Please stand with us, our water and our future by becoming active in this fight to preserve this precious place for our children’s grandchildren, so they can enjoy it as

we have. Find out how to take action at the coalition’s website: stoptererromine.org ¢

Ralph Vigil is the owner of Molino de la Isla Organics LLC, a small, certi-fied organic farm in east Pecos, NM. He also serves as chairman of the New Mexico Acequia Commission.

We know they intend to explore to discover and sell to a mining company, and we know what happens next.

We are still recovering from irresponsible mining operations.

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N E W M E X I C O WAT E R D I A LO G U E 2 6T H A N N UA L M E E T I N G Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque

As our climate changes, temperatures rise with greater ex-tremes between hot and cold, and droughts and floods become more severe. Resilience is the capacity of a system to respond to disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.

The New Mexico Water Dialogue is holding its 26th annu-al meeting on Jan. 9, from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. The theme is “Building Water Resilience for New Mexico Communities.” “We value as many voices as we can assemble, to improve our collective understanding of what we all face,” said Conci Bokum, a member of the board of directors.

Keynote speakers include David Gutzler, professor of the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Department of Earth Sciences. His talk is titled “How Clear is the Climate Change Crystal Ball?”

Melinda Harm Benson, also from UNM’s Earth Sciences department, will speak on “Resilience as a Lens for Gover-nance.” A panel that includes John Fleck, professor of New Mexico Water Resources Program at UNM; Stacy Timmons, Hydrology program manager at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources; and Daryl Vigil, water administrator for the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, will discuss “Sci-ence-Based Planning for Resilience.”

5T H A N N UA L R I O C H A M A C O N G R ES O Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiú, N.M.

The San Juan–Chama Watershed Partnership’s fifth annual Río Chama Congreso will take place on Feb. 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ghost Ranch Conference Center in Abiquiú, N.M. The congreso’s theme is Fishing, Boating and Recreation.

Highlights include a presentation by keynote speaker Axie Navas, New Mexico’s first Outdoor Recreation Division director. Navas’ role is to help bring the state’s outdoors to the forefront of economic development. Topics of discussion will also include public access rights to streams crossing private land, youth education and outreach opportuni-ties, bridging the divide between indigenous/land grant communities and recreationists, and proposed repairs to El Vado Dam.

The San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership comprises local, county, state, tribal and federal agencies, non-government organizations and individuals from the region. They come together to support a healthy ecosystem, a vibrant economy and sustainable com-munities for those who live and depend on the watershed.

For more information, visit www.sanjuanchama.org . To RSVP, visit https//sjcwp-congreso2020.eventbrite.com .

Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s talk is entitled Emerging Policy Priorities. After lunch, a panel with Paula García, executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association; Phil King, professor of Civil Engineering at New Mexico State University (NMSU); and Holly Richter, Arizona Water Projects Director for The Nature Conservancy, will dis-cuss “Resilient Water Management in Practice.” Rolf Schmidt-Petersen, director of the Interstate Stream Commission, will also speak.

Registration is $70. To register, visit nmwaterdialogue.org.

Photo courtesy the San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership

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WAT E R D I ST R I B U T I O N H U B C O M P L E T E DAfter three years of design and construction, the Middle Río Grande Conservancy District has completed a $1.7 million distribution hub at the Socorro Main Canal. The pipe and pump system will make it possible to deliver water to an additional 1,700 acres in times of extreme drought. “Return water” flows from an irrigation drain back into the river. The system can control the speed of drying in some stretches of the Río Grande. The hub was funded through a Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant.

W I L D A N D S C E N I C D ES I G N AT I O N P RO P O S E D F O R G I L A R I V E RThe proposed federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act could protect the Gila River from development and encourage outdoor recreation, but the des-ignation would not interfere with a controversial plan to divert as much as 14,000 acre-feet of the river to municipalities and other interests. A section of the Act says activities such as irrigating or grazing may occur in river corridors or on adjacent lands only if they are consistent with protecting the river’s unique characteristics. A federal custodian would determine which activities meet that standard. The Grant County Board of Commissioners has endorsed the proposed legislation.

N I N E T Y-S E V E N DA M S I N N E W M E X I C O C O N S I D E R E D H I G H H A Z A R DNew Mexico leads the nation with nearly 50 percent of its dams consid-ered high-hazard. Ninety-seven dams have been determined to be in poor or unsatisfactory condition, with the potential for loss of life if they fail, according to a two-year study by the Associated Press. Most of those aging dams are in rural areas. In 2019, the state water trust board received $50 million in project requests. The Legislature approved $10 million for dam improvements and flood control projects.

T OX I C C H E M I CA LS S E E P I N G I N T O AQU I F E RS F RO M A I R F O RC E BAS ESThe New Mexico Environment Department has requested $1.2 million to study a plume of chemicals (PFAS) that are seeping from Holloman and Cannon Air Force bases. Groundwater samples show levels hundreds of times higher than a federal health advisory limit. The chemicals appear to be from firefighting foam used for years in routine training in southern and eastern New Mexico. The Air Force, which is currently involved in an effort to clean up contamination from a decades-old jet fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base, has not taken responsibility for the plume. In March, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas sued, asking the Air Force to pay for studying and cleaning up the contamination. The Dairy Farmers of America are among the groups concerned that busi-nesses, homes, dairies and city water could be in jeopardy.

The Live Earth and Extractive Energy BY CHILI YAZZIE

The Earth is replete with natural resources. Much is known about them, as they have been analyzed and their properties defined. Science has theo-rized how Earth’s elements were formed, and science prescribes how they can be used by humankind. Yet, despite innumerable explorations, analyses and theorems, all the properties of the Earth and her resources have not been fully comprehended by Western man.

The processes of natural resource ex-traction are guided by strategies based on a perspective wherein materiality predominates spiri-tuality. This per-spective functions primarily within

the physical dimension. It is a deductive process that derives from Western man’s attempt to dichotomize the concrete and abstract dimensions of life—the physical and spiritual. The contention, thus, is that the body of Earth and its natural resources are inanimate, spiritless and meant to be wantonly exploited.

Student striker at the Climate Strike organized by YUCCA. © Seth Roffman

The energy-by-exploita-tion agenda is accelerating the predicted demise of our Earth, our home.

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Indigenous peoples know that the physical and spiritual paradigms are inseparable; one cannot be complete without the other. This understand-ing celebrates the physical and spiritual composition of all matter. This perception has been misunderstood, discounted and disrespected by the predominant Western mind. Regardless, the Indigenous perspective has uncompromising validity, as it is true to its foundational origination, while the Western frame of thought has an incomplete foundation. The Indig-enous worldview is more relevant, realistic and comprehensive than what European-rooted society, science and technology offer.

Positive benefits of resources development include revenue, jobs and convenience. In the debate on energy source transition, the retention and expansion of these benefits are the principal arguments for continued exploitation of resources. This is understandable, as losing these benefits are a threat to the livelihood of families. Nevertheless, the transition to renewable energy is inevitable because of the declining economic viabil-ity of extractive energy and its irreversible damage to the environment. Credible members of the scientific community, academia, conscientious businesses and world governments, and international forums like the United Nations, have concluded that the destructive impacts of extractive energy are the main cause of the climate crisis.

These realities cumulatively constitute the greatest dilemma faced by humanity and raise the existential question: Should we continue destroy-ing the Earth or save the planet? Both extractive energy development proponents and save-the-earth advocates are resolute in their positions. Neither will retreat. It portends a fight to the end. If there is no effort at understanding between these polarized positions, there will be no win-ners; we all lose.

In 2006, the late, majestic, modern-day theorist Stephen Hawking pre-dicted that this planet has only 100 years left. He surmised the cause of this demise will be climate change, virulent disease and the nuclear threat. This dire prediction suggests that only five generations of humanity have a future, and then it is done. As if in keeping with that prediction, the life of Earth is waning, as evidenced by the decimation of species and bio-systems. This, combined with unrelenting efforts by some governments and extractive industries to exacerbate the energy-by-exploitation agenda is only accelerating the predicted demise of our Earth, our home.

Our paramount concern must be to protect the life of Earth so that humankind can live beyond Hawking’s prediction of untimely demise. It is our most somber responsibility to find common ground to coexist for the sake of our grandchildren and future generations. Indigenous peoples have crucial answers that will help us survive this ultimate dilemma, if the world will listen. ¢

Duane “Chili” Yazzie touts his cre-dentials as grandpa, farmer, Earth Protector and community leader. A longtime advocate of human rights and the rights of Earth Mother, he is currently president of the Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation.

Photo © Robert Esposito

GROUNDING OUR CLIMATE JUSTICE WORKBY YANG TOLEDO

The youth in YUCCA have developed a unique set of demands that guide the polit-ical and social Climate Emergency movement we are leading—but we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. Our work begins with the acknowl-edgement that we are all working in occupied Indigenous lands and that Indigenous communities have been on the front lines—contending with the environmental and health impacts of extractive industry in New Mexico since the beginning. We also acknowledge that Indigenous communities, communities of color and work-ing-class communities have borne the brunt of the costs of energy extraction. In New Mexico, it is our Diné communities who have suffered under the shadows of coal plants and fracking wells. It is essential that our movement work is informed by the teachings of our predecessors, elders and mentors in the environmental justice movement.

We want to share an important framework to help us all ground our climate justice work in the longstanding struggles for Indigenous liberation and economic justice. That framework is called The Red Deal. It was developed and is led by the Red Na-tion—an Indigenous grassroots organization “dedicated to the liberation of Native peoples from capitalism and colonialism.” The Red Deal was crafted by community members, Native people, young and poor people to build on and forward ideas in the Green New Deal—with Indigenous liberation and critical class theory at the center.

The Green New Deal (GND) is championed by U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass). Rep. Ocasio-Cortez traces her inspiration to become a climate champion back to her experience as a Water Protector at Standing Rock, where, during her bid for Congress, she joined in protests against construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The GND is a proposed package of legislation that aims to address climate change and economic

We cannot simply heal our individual trauma, nor can we consume better to save the environment.

“Three Centuries of Pueblo Resistance” Red Nation panel discussion on colonialism. Santa Fe, August 2019. © Seth Roffman

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inequality through a rapid transition to a green economy within 10 years. Besides increasing state-sponsored jobs, the GND seeks to address poverty by locating green jobs and large-scale public works projects in "frontline and vulnerable communities." The resolution also calls for universal health care, increased mini-mum wages and protection against monopolies.

The Red Deal provides four key tenets that place the needs of Indigenous com-munities at the center: First, what creates crisis cannot solve it; second, change must come from below and move to the left; third, politicians can’t do what mass movements do; and fourth, the climate conversation must move from theory to action.

The first tenet, What Creates Conflict Cannot Solve It, “draw[s] from Black abolitionist traditions to call for divestment away from the criminalizing, cag-ing and harming of human beings and divestment from the exploitative and extractive violence of fossil fuels.” It notes that divestment is a critical strategy that we must pursue in order to fund a just transition and the investments in community-driven development that we need, such as education, physical and mental health care and environmental restoration. It notes that half of our federal budget is spent on the military. “Proposed discretionary spending for na-tional security in 2020 comes in at $750 billion, $718.3 billion of which is slotted specifically for the U.S. military….” while cuts are being made in critical services. It advocates divestment, not just from the military but from prisons, detention facilities and policing systems that criminalize Indigenous, people of color and poor communities.

“Imagine if we had a trillion dollars to in-vest in healthcare for everyone. To increase teachers’ pay so they can provide quality, free education to everyone. To repair

roads and provide safe and accessible public transportation for everyone. To invest in large-scale language revitalization programs in every Indigenous nation on the continent… With the resources we gain from divestment, we could end world hunger, illiteracy, child hunger, homelessness, and build renewable energy tomorrow.”

The second tenet is Change From Below And to The Left. The Red Deal advocates for “a movement to reclaim our humanity and rightful relations with our Earth” and offers an example of the kind of community-oriented change needed: “Pueblo communities feed for nearly every ceremonial event. The original purpose of this was to pry surplus from those who held more wealth and redistribute it amongst those who didn’t so that neither a poor class nor a ruling class could form. Everyone’s material needs were met; there was no star-vation, no homelessness, no alienation. Everyone was a relative, and everyone had relatives.” The Red Deal states: “People power is the most direct form of democracy… Our leverage is people. Leverage comes from a movement behind

you. Only when people move do we build enough power to force concessions and eventually win.”

The third tenet is Politicians Can’t Do What Only Mass Movements Do. Building on the second tenet, the Red Deal redefines the kinds of “reforms” we need to be pushing. “Reform typically means asking the powerful to implement gradual changes that we hope will eventually improve our lives. This approach attempts to treat the symptoms of a crisis, rather than the structures of power that create crisis in the first place… Our philosophy of reform is to reallocate so-cial wealth back to those who actually produce it: workers, the poor, Indigenous peoples, the Global South, women, migrants, caretakers of the land and the land itself.”

The final tenet is From Theory to Action. The Red Deal implores our commu-nities to create the solutions our people need. It reminds us that we cannot forget to invest in the on-the-ground organizing and education of our people to create change in our communities that are already impacted. “We cannot simply be against something; we must be for something...We will make policy recommen-dations that can be used at any level of government, from the grassroots to the tribal council to the state. We cannot simply build isolated utopias while the rest of the world burns, nor can we wait for the slow process of reformist reform to kick in. We cannot simply heal our individual trauma, nor can we consume better to save the environment. We cannot vote harder and place all our hope in a few individuals in Congress. We must reclaim our collective power. When the state invests its greatest resources to contain the threat of mass mobilization, we must

already be organized in those spaces and those communities. We must be one step ahead, ready to capture the momentum of the next rebellion and catapult it into a full-blown mass movement.”The Red Deal is a critical framework for everyone interested in furthering climate justice in New Mexico. It draws the connections between the climate crisis and the human rights and environmental rights issues facing our Indigenous and other frontline communities. It makes the connection between our climate crisis and colonization and capitalism. We see it as an important guide for resilience and community-based organizing so that we can build a sustainable environment that benefits all. ¢

To learn more about the Red Deal and the Red Nation movement, visit https://therednation.org/ .

Yang Toledo (Diné) was born and raised in Farmington. She is a senior visual artist at the New Mexico School for the Arts and a steering committee member of YUCCA.

The Red Deal builds on ideas in the Green New Deal while centering Indigenous voices.

A movement to reclaim our humanity and rightful relations with our Earth

Yang Toledo calls for one of YUCCA’s five demands—A Green New Deal to transform and transition our economy in 10 years. © Seth Roffman

YUCCA sit-in at N.M. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office

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Demands for a Just Transit ionBY KIMBERLY SMITH AND MAKAI LEWIS

Do you worry that the air you breathe is making you sick? Do you think twice before drinking the water where you live?

The San Juan Generating Station (SJGS)—one of the oldest and dirtiest power plants in the country—is set to close in 2022. For decades it has polluted the air, water and land of Diné Bikéyah (ancestral homeland of the Navajo Nation) and the Four Corners region.

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is the majority owner and operator of the SJGS, located in Waterflow, New Mexico. The SJGS supplies electricity to PNM’s 500,000 customers throughout New Mexico. In 2018, PNM admitted that the plant was no longer economical compared to alternatives and told their shareholders they could make more money if the plant was closed. In December 2019, a hearing was held by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to address PNM’s plans for “abandonment” of the plant. A delegation from the impacted Diné community came to Santa Fe for the hear-ing. This is some of what we shared.

Over the past two years, we have conducted a Just Transition Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in order to inform and engage our community in preparation for the closure of the SJGS and coal mine. We traveled from community to community to gather the stories of our people so that we all might understand what the plant’s presence has meant for those living in its shadow. We have been

working to ensure that those most directly impacted have a voice in defining what a just transition should look like. For it is our Diné community that has been directly impacted by the

San Juan plant and mine for the last 40-plus years. And it is our community that will be left with the plant’s legacy.

With our community advisors, we created a 15-page survey that was completed by more than 400 members of our community. We traveled to the communities, sat with our relatives, translated the survey into our Native language and listened to people recount the changes that the plant has brought. To our knowledge, our Just Transition Campaign is the only effort during the last two years that has taken time to reach out and bring the voices of those Indigenous community members on the ground—downstream and downwind from the plant—into the process of decision-making regarding the plant’s transition. While doing this work, we did not cross paths with any of the Native or non-Native NGOs.

In the 2019 Legislature we opposed the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The ETA was drafted by a coalition of non-Native NGOs and PNM and did not include a single mention of our Indigenous community’s needs. The community was not consulted in its drafting. Transition funds in the bill did not include our community. We fought to change the bill to require community advisory bodies and comprehensive assessment of the impacts, as well as dedicated funds for our community and regulatory protections that would require that the polluter pay for the cleanup. Most of our amendments were discarded. The amendments that were ultimately added were far from sufficient. There is minimal consulta-tion required and only $1.8 million dedicated to Indigenous community needs—compared to $283 million for the company. Without our organizing efforts, the bill’s supporters would have excluded our community entirely.

On the ground, conducting our HIA, we saw these dynamics of exclusion continue to play out. Eighty percent of respondents stated that they were concerned or very concerned about community consultation. The majority thought that tribal and state governments and the power plant company had not included them in planning for the SJGS closure or the ETA. In fact, initially, more than half of the 400-plus com-munity members we surveyed were not even aware that PNM had decided to close the plant and that it would be retired by 2022.

Our work targeted long-term residents of the area. Ninety-six percent of those we spoke with self-identified as Indigenous. Our respondents came from Shiprock, Naschitti, Round Rock, Red Mesa and communities in between. Eighty-nine percent live within a 100-mile radius of the plant. The vast majority (82 percent) have had clan or family ties in the area for many generations. Seventy-seven percent grew up in the area. Seventy-nine percent intend to stay there with their families “indefinitely.”

The community members we spoke with have witnessed and experienced the changes that have come with the SJGS. Only 13 percent felt that the overall impact of the plant in their community has been positive. When asked what they were most concerned about as the plant closes—the top two issues were responsibility for the health of the community, and cleanup. Eighty-six percent said they were concerned or very concerned about health. Eighty-six percent also said that they were con-cerned or very concerned about cleanup.

Our community members have experienced the impacts of the plant and mine in their bodies and on the land. What happens to the land, air and water is reflected in our bodies. Sixty-one percent of the community we surveyed have experienced or have immediate family members who have experienced serious health issues. The health issues most commonly reported were asthma, cancer, lung disease and heart disease. All are associated with exposure to the contaminants found in coal pollution

Our community members have felt and experienced the impacts of the plant and mine in their bodies and on the land.

Najhozhoni Ben testifies before the N.M. Public Regulation Commission.

A delegation of Diné community members traveled from the Four Corners to testify at a PRC hearing in Santa Fe.

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Public Condemns Sale of Ancestral Tribal and Public Lands15,000 Acres of Greater Chaco and Greater Carlsbad landscapes on the Auction Block

BY REBECCA SOBEL

Tribal governments, as well as thousands of people and more than a dozen groups, representing over five million members, have called on the Trump administration to cancel its February lease-sale of nearly 15,000 acres of ancestral tribal and federal public lands in New Mexico for fracking.

Robyn Jackson, Climate and Energy Outreach Coordinator for Diné C.A.R.E, called for protest of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval of the lease-sale, stating, “Cultural resources have yet to be sur-veyed, consultation with Diné communities and other tribal nations has not occurred, and impacts to human and environmental health have not been resolved in communities living with oil and gas production. It is beyond irresponsible for BLM to approve more leases. This lease offering would add to a long history of environmental injustice in regard to Native people and their lands.”

This is the latest effort in the Trump’s administration’s “energy dominance” agenda, which has sacrificed public lands in quarterly lease-sales across the West. In June 2019, the agency auctioned off nearly 40,000 acres throughout New Mexico, despite thousands of protests from tribal governments, advo-cacy organizations and citizens, including a group that ran 60 miles to deliver protests. Advocates continue to draw attention to the clear link between the BLM’s oil and gas leasing and the worsening climate crisis.

More than 94 percent of available land in the greater Chaco region and 97 percent in the greater Carlsbad region have already been sold to industry using outdated resource management plans that fail to analyze impacts of industrialized fracking. More than 65,000 wells currently operate on New Mexico’s public and tribal lands.

A statement released by Tewa Women United’s Kathy Sanchez, an elder from San Ildefonso Pueblo, and Beata Tsosie-Peña (Santa Clara Pueblo), director of TWU’s Environmental Health Program, says, “We are generational repre-sentatives of our ancestral lineage; we are the present-day caregivers of our ancestral lands. We never consented to the forced mismanagement of these places by the BLM. As matriarchs and survivors, we do not give our con-sent to have our Earth Mother’s body violated by drilling, hydro-fracking or sold into slavery in any form for the oil and gas industry. We know that this

GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020

and waste. Most of respon-dents re-ported that they use the land for food and other cultural resources and that they eat locally farmed foods. They reported observ-ing and

experiencing changes in the environment that they attribute to the presence of the San Juan plant, including reduced biodiversity and vegetation, and degraded air and

water quality. The plant’s presence has compromised our community’s relationship to our lands, and if cleanup is not done properly, our land-based traditions and culture could be further threatened.

When asked what their prior-ity demands for the closure process are, the vast majority want more soil, air and wa-

ter-quality studies. They want and deserve to know the extent of the contamination from the site and to be assured that cleanup will be comprehensive.

There also needs to be a comprehensive assessment of the health impacts on long-term residents of the area. The community members we surveyed will continue to be exposed to contamination from the site unless PNM is held responsible for comprehensive cleanup, decommissioning and remediation.

The PRC and the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) need to require a comprehensive decommission-ing and remediation study—conducted independently and with transparency—before any money is allocated to the company. Our community has been seen as disposable in the boom-and-bust cycles of ex-traction. The bust has arrived;

it will be our community that is left to pick up the pieces and bear the long-term costs. We are asking the PRC to hold PNM accountable and protect the rights of our community to live long, healthy lives so that our homeland can begin to heal. There must be corporate accountability for the 45-plus years of poisoning people, land, water, air and our non-human relatives.¢

Kimberly Smith and Makai Lewis are Just Transition Campaign co-directors with New Energy Economy, a Santa Fe-based renewable energy advocacy group.

A public hearing for the San Juan Generating Station replacement power case will be held on Jan. 21, 9 a.m. at the PERA building in Santa Fe. PNM is proposing a 280-MW natural gas plant near the SJGS to replace some of the lost capacity. Members of the public can provide up to three minutes of testimony. For more information, visit www.nmprc.state.nm.us/

The majority thought that tribal and state governments and the company had not included them in planning for the SJGS clo-sure or the ETA.

Kimberly Smith

Makai Lewis

EXCERPT OF TESTIMONY TO THE NM PRC BY ZACHARIAH ARON BEN

As a young Diné practitioner of our sacred arts I am obligated to protect this ecosystem in order to continue our sacred ceremonies that nourish our minds, bodies and souls. In this cycle of life, plants consume air and water and in turn are consumed by animals, upon which we sustain our-selves. Physical ailments manifest when air pollution settles on vegetation on which our sheep and cattle feed. The San Juan River, the lifeline of our communities, is downstream from the PNM generating station, as is most of our Navajo peoples’ farmland.I am requesting reparation towards our biodiversity, nature aesthetics that do not have a physical voice to comment today. I also speak for our future generations. To ask for integrity, accountability from our regulators to help our people affected by the PNM generating station. Let's work together to heal and realize restoration for our beautiful ecosystem, not only for ourselves today but for our children’s children to continue this natural way of life in harmony. Ahéhee.’

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continued violence leads to targeted harm on Native peoples, their lands, waters and delicate ecologies.”

The BLM has failed to take a hard look at the cumulative effects of oil and gas leasing and has even rolled back opportunities for the public to weigh in, shorten-ing “protest” or appeal periods from 30 to just 10 days, not allowing comments via

email or fax, and refusing to hold public hearings, even near impacted communities.

Daniel Tso is chair of the Health, Education and Human Services Committee, 24th Navajo Nation Council, representing Baca-Prewitt, Casamero Lake, Counselor, Littlewater, Ojo Encino, Pueblo Pintado, Torreón-Starlake and Whitehorse Lake chapters. Tso said, “How many more of these lease sales will we have to protest and comment on? The BLM hasn’t completed the required cultural resource studies and hasn’t consulted Diné community members in the areas that industry has selected. We are the first holders of the land, yet we are the last to be given notice. Pure water is more valuable than the oil and gas that is locked and tightly held by our Earth Mother. She’s saving the precious gift of life—water—for the generations of our people. The mega-corporations cannot be allowed to sustain themselves at the cost of our future generations. There has to be a balance point: people over money.”A recent federal appeals court ruling exposed the BLM’s myopic approach to assess-ing the impacts of gas drilling. The court overturned the agency's narrow focus on individual wells and mandated proper consideration of the cumulative impacts from thousands of wells planned across the region. In response to the ruling and in light of the fact that hundreds of drilling permits issued in recent years lacked adequate environmental analysis, a coalition of tribal leaders, environmental and community groups called on the agency to halt new oil and gas activities. Yet the BLM has con-tinued to offer even more land for sale,while releasing questionable “supplemental white papers” instead of the required Environmental Impact Statements.

More than a dozen groups submitted extensive comments on the pending February auction of 17,000 acres of public lands across New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Nearly 1,500 acres are within 20 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park and adjacent to Santa Fe National Forest. More than 13,000 acres are within close proximity to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which has sensitive cave and karst

“We are the present-day caregivers of our ances-tral lands. We never consented to the forced mis-management of these places by the BLM.” – Kathy Sanchez, Tewa Women United

geology. The groups noted that the BLM conducted little or no analysis on the poten-tial harm to public

health or to air, rivers, streams, night skies, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, or the national parks and nearby nuclear storage facilities.

Advocates have thanked the New Mexican congressional delegation for their efforts to protect public health and cultural heritage within the greater Chaco landscape, especially Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Ben Ray Luján’s recent efforts that were included in the bi-partisan FY2020 Appropriations bill, which restricts funding for new oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile buffer and allocates $1 million for a tribal-lead cultural resources study of the area.

Although greater Chaco protections have made minor steps forward, oil and gas leasing continues to significantly compound the climate crisis. Reports indicate that close to one-quarter of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to fossil fuel extraction from federal public lands, with carbon emissions from the Permian Basin alone threatening to consume more than 10 percent of the global carbon budget by 2050. ¢

Rebecca Sobel is the senior climate and energy campaigner at WildEarth Guardians and works to support the Chaco Coalition.

“Pure water is more valuable than the oil and gas that is locked and tightly held by our Earth Mother.” – Daniel Tso, Ed-ucation and Human Services Committee, 24th Navajo Nation Council

Community members protest at Sandoval County Commission fracking permit hearing.Photo © Mariel Nanasi, courtesy New Energy Economy

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The Permian Basin: From Prehistoric Reef to Climate InfernoBY CHARLOTTE GRUBB

The Permian Basin is located between the southeast corner of New Mexico and southwestern Texas. The name Permian actually comes from the geological Permian period, 299-251-million years ago, when small reefs became reservoirs for petroleum within a platform of sediment deposits.1 This shale basin satu-rated in petroleum is about 250 miles wide by 300 miles long.

New Mexico is now the third-largest oil-producing state in the United States (after Alaska and California), due to the Permian Basin. With production at 900,000 barrels per day, the Permian’s production is larger than most of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).2 The region is now responsible for nearly one-third of total U.S. oil production. At this rate, U.S. production is expected to equal that of Saudi Arabia and Russia combined by 2025.3 In 2018, emissions from Permian Basin fracking were equivalent to nearly 50 coal plants.4

Roughly 30 percent5 of New Mexico’s education funds are dependent upon expect-ed financial

returns from the Permian Basin. This may explain Gov. Michelle Lujan Grish-am’s blind eye to the alarming environmental threats that have accompanied skyrocketing oil and gas production.

Putting the urgent, existential threat of global warming aside, betting on the Permian Basin is risky. Financial returns are far from guaranteed, due to a collapse in global oil and gas prices, as well as low flow from highly concen-

1 https://www.britannica.com/place/Permian-Basin

2 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/us/new-mexico-oil.html

3 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=38992

4 https://wildearthguardians.org/brave-new-wild/climate-energy/beware-the-blindspot/

5https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/local/2019/04/19/new-mexico-oil-gas-industry-money-contribu-

tions-schools/3402056002/

trated wells.6 Investors are pulling away from one of the biggest players, Exx-onMobil, whose cash flow is weak despite producing huge amounts of oil and gas.7 ExxonMobil might see the writing on the wall, which would explain the re-cent decision to switch from short-cycle investments in fracking and toward long-term upstream profits.8

Record flaring is a physical indicator in the Permian of an overproduction glut.9 From July to September

2019, New Mexico vented or flared 750 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd).10 This methane byproduct is much more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.11

A recent New York Times article, where special equipment was used that allowed photographs to reveal excessive methane leaks in the Permian Basin, has raised increased alarm over the regulation and reporting of this gas.12 If methane is not burned off when released, it can warm the planet over 80 times as much as car-

bon dioxide over a 20-year period.13 Leaks are respon-sible for about a quarter of global warming worldwide. Methane can also contribute to ground-level ozone, which can lead to asthma and other health problems if inhaled. Benzene, a carcinogen, is also emitted with methane.A social and political schism has erupted between those who directly benefit from

Permian Basin revenues and those who do not.14 In southeast New Mexico near Carlsbad, Rolexes and Escalades have become common as six-figure salaries go to those who work in the field. With an influx of mostly male and often seasonal workers in close quarters has come prominent temporary housing known as “man camps,” where alcohol and prostitution are common, as well as sewage treatment and other infrastructure health hazards.15

“What they did in 50 years, we’ve got to do in five,” said Allen Davis, current Eddy County manager and former Chevron executive. Davis’ quote is in reference to the growth of Permian oil and gas production in western Texas.16

The only mention of the Permian Basin in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s climate plan is how “the Permian Basin has enriched New Mexico, and the oil and gas in-dustry is expected to grow and continue to support our economy.”17 The governor’s

6https://ieefa.org/ieefa-update-exxonmobil-abandons-goal-of-quick-cash-from-permian-fracking/

7https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-12/cracks-show-in-the-permian-s-promise-as-shale-producers-retrench

8https://ieefa.org/ieefa-update-exxonmobil-abandons-goal-of-quick-cash-from-permian-fracking/

9 https://ieefa.org/record-flaring-in-permian-basin-indicates-an-unsustainable-boom/

10 https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061472625

11 https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061472625

12 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/12/climate/texas-methane-super-emitters.html

13 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/methane/

14 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/us/new-mexico-oil.html

15 http://www.honorearth.org/man_camps_fact_sheet

16 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/us/new-mexico-oil.html

17 https://www.env.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/112119-CCTF-report-released.pdf

Alarming environmental threats have accompanied skyrocketing oil and gas production.

A social and political schism has erupted between those who directly benefit from Permian Basin reve-nues and those who do not.

Student Climate Strike, Santa Fe, N.M.© Seth Roffman

19GREENFIRETIMES.COM

ensure the global temperature does not increase by 1.5°C by 2030 and cause irreversible widespread species collapse and catastrophic weather disruption.

In 2019 there were deadly typhoons, heat waves, droughts and wildfires. 2019 also saw a global uprising of citizens including millions of youth in the streets demanding bold solu-tions. The climate crisis is here, and it’s time New Mexico’s plans reflect that by starting to limit oil and gas production.¢

Charlotte Grubb is a researcher and writer who focuses on energy and eco-nomic issues. She most recently worked as an author for the Energy Policy Institute before relocating to Santa Fein 2019 to work on climate justice issues in New Mexico.

plan to target production-related emissions (only methane) is considered to be inadequate by the environmental community.18 The state’s plan is incongruent with international alarm over greenhouse gas emissions.19

In December 2019, policy makers, scientists and advocates met in Spain for the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) to discuss the current state of global warming and propose solutions. There it was revealed that global temperatures are expected to rise by 3.2° to 3.9°C this century if we continue to emit greenhouse gas emis-sions at current levels.20 We have 10 years to cut these emissions to

18https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/local/2019/10/16/governor-lujan-grisham-new-mexico-oil-gas-wa-

ter-plan-environment/3985146002/

19 https://insideclimatenews.org/news/27082019/12-years-climate-change-explained-ipcc-science-solutions

20 https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1052251

FRACKED WATER – FRACKED HEALTHTreated “Produced” Water Reuse Action Plans ProposedBY ELAINE CIMINO

An average of 12 million gallons of water per well are mixed with hundreds of chemicals and injected under extreme pressure to fracture (frack) a rock formation to release oil and natural gas. The slurry of chemicals, minerals, salt, oil, grease and naturally occurring ra-dioactive materials that comes back up is called flowback or “produced” water. Wastewater generated in New Mexico tends to be high in salt, which is expensive to remove.

The cost of man-aging produced water is a signifi-cant factor in the profitability of oil and gas produc-tion. At the same

time, there is growing concern that the use of freshwater by the industry will reduce the amount available for agriculture or drive up the price farmers pay for water.

New Mexico State University (NMSU), the University of New Mexico (UNM) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are partnering on a $100-million-dollar grant to study how to put fracked wastewater to beneficial use outside of the industry. The oil and gas indus-

try is a major funder of this study. The partnership also includes New Mexico Consortium at UNM, New Mexico Tech (NMT), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Alamogordo Desalination Project, as well as several private industry entities.

State officials are considering spraying fracked wastewater onto roads for dust control and to use it to irrigate crops such as chile. The current regulatory system for using recycled oilfield waste for irrigation is insuf-ficient to protect our agricultural lands, farmworkers and food supply.

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated its National Water Resource Action Plan (WRAP) in response to projected impacts of climate disruption. In September 2019, the agency added produced water to its draft plan, with which the agency seeks to “drive commitments and action across stakeholder groups, including federal, state and tribal partners.”

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary James Kenney, who has written a white paper on produced water, has said that New Mexico has withdrawn from a memorandum of understand-ing (MOU) with the EPA. The NMED has held public informational meetings across the state on produced water. At the meetings I attended, it wasn’t mentioned that the EPA was already in its rulemaking phase or the impacts that could have on the state’s rulemaking, which concluded in November.

Hazards of Produced Water ContaminantsPeer-reviewed studies have shown that even after treatment, produced water retained carcinogenic contaminants that can impact plants, animals and human health. A five-year study in California showed that crops irrigated with produced water had become susceptible to disease.The Pacific Institute, a global water think tank and advocate for sustain-able water policies, produced a report in 2015 on treated produced water that had been used on crops. Issues the institute identified for New Mexico include:

1. Risks to soil and water Contamination PFAS, radium, heavy metals waste stream2. Waste disposal and management from Industry3. Potential impact to crops4. Potential impact to livestock5. Pathways of contamination6. Percolation pits7. Underground injection of wastewater8. Idle and orphan wells9. Accidental spills, leaks and Illicit discharges10. Threat from groundwater overdraft and land subsidence

Peer-reviewed studies have shown that even after treatment, produced water retained carcinogenic contaminants.

“Produced” water, post-fracking

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11. Legacy pollution for drilling mud disposal12. Potential risks from beneficial reuse13. Potential contamination of crops14. Impact to marketing and public perceptions of agriculture products15. Potential risks to farmworkers16. Reuse of sewage for irrigation17. Current regulations and standards are inadequate from unknown contaminants risking public health impacts, including radium and brine exemptions, GW standards, injection storage and aquifer storage and effluent dumping must be strengthened18. No New Mexico state reports on health impacts from produced water19. Fracking: Environmental justice issues – state must study impacts

Impacts of Industrial ChemicalsHundreds of chemicals are used in or produced from oil and gas exploration and production. Many are known to have harmful (or unknown) effects on livestock and crops, as well as impacting farmworkers and residents living within 10 miles of fracked wells. These people are among the most vulnerable to air and water pollution.

Inadequate or unsafe waste disposal methods, accidental spills and leaks and illegal dumping can release chemicals into the environment. Idle, orphaned and abandoned wells can allow oil, wastes and chemicals to move into soil and groundwater, posing a largely hidden threat to surrounding agricultural areas.

Regulat ing, Monitoring and Enforcement in New MexicoRegulations for toxic chemicals and waste handling are outdated and inade-quate to protect human health, the environment and the safety of our food supply.

Disposal of oil-field wastewater in unlined percolation pits poses a significant risk of contaminating groundwater. While this practice has been banned in several states, it is still widely used in New Mexico, especially in the Permian Basin, where a “wild west” mentality is running roughshod over farms, roads and health of the communities.

There are also serious deficiencies in the way New Mexico regulates under-ground injection. Wastewater has been injected into disposal wells that could pollute underground sources of drinking water, irrigation water and water for livestock. In the past eight years, many regulations in the state have been “streamlined” or deregulated, and the current federal administration has weakened the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water acts. Public health is now at risk.

Information about oil and gas production activities in New Mexico is insufficient. This makes adequate risk management by the NMED, Office of the State Engineer (OSE) and the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (ENMRD) impossible.

Among the many exam-ples of this lack of over-sight is the over-pumping of the Ogallala Aquifer, part of which lies be-neath eastern New Mexi-co. Reforms on brine and radium in the state’s laws and regulations need to be strengthened.

More data and informa-tion are needed to protect human health, the envi-ronment and New Mexi-co’s agricultural industry. A bill proposed in 2019 has been resubmitted for consideration in the 2020 legislative session. SB459 would initiative a four-year moratorium on new frack-ing leases while relevant issues are studied and a viable plan and legislation are enacted to guide state agencies and enforcement. For more information, visit www.pauseonfrack-ing.com and www.com-mongroundrising.org. ¢

Elaine Cimino is an author and artist who has been working on water and land-use issues in New Mexico for 25 years.

The cost of managing produced water is a significant factor in the profitability of oil and gas production.

Dumping in an unlined pit near Hobbs, N.M.

Red Nation member protests the Produced Water Act at a rally in Albuquerque

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LANL – A WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONSBY JONI ARENDS

Manufacturing the plutonium triggers for nuclear weapons uses a lot of water, creates a lot of radioactive, hazardous and toxic solid and liquid waste, and results in emissions to the air. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) began operations in April 1943. The Manhattan Project officials said they would only be on the Pajarito Plateau (which LANL occupies) for a short while. But it’s been almost 77 years. Here is the project’s legacy:

• They have extracted resources, including water from the regional drinking water aquifer.

• They have buried over 18 million cubic feet of waste there (three times the amount destined for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)) in unlined trenches, pits and shafts that leak.

• LANL pollutants have been found in the shallow, intermediate and deep layers of the regional drinking water aquifer as well as in the springs that flow to the Río Grande.

• They have released pollutants into the air.

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), own-er of LANL, to be self-regulating for most of the radioactive materials used in weapons production. Plutonium is one of these. It is a radioactive metal. Its half-life is 24,000 years, meaning that it will remain radioactive for 240,000 years. Ingestion or inhalation of plutonium will cause cancer.

Before the president left for winter vacation at Mar-a-Lago in December 2019, he signed the National Defense Authorization Act. It includes $712 million for expanded man-ufacturing of the cores for nuclear weapons (also known as plutonium pits) at LANL and the Savannah River Site, located in South Carolina, on the Savannah River. Under the plan, LANL would manufacture 30 pits per year, and the Savannah River Site would manufacture 50, beginning in 2030.

Since the mid-1990s, LANL has been limited to manufacturing 20 pits per year. Nev-ertheless, no more than six have been manufactured in one year, and operations were closed down for four years, beginning in 2011, because of safety, security and seismic issues. LANL’s manufacturing facility, the Plutonium Facility, or PF-4, sits in a seismic area between major faulting systems—the Guaje Mountain Fault and Rendija Canyon Fault. The last surface rupture occurred only 1,400 years ago, which means DOE and LANL must meet higher operating and protective requirements. DOE and LANL are known for dragging their feet to meet these stricter requirements.

In the first decade of this century, DOE and LANL proposed to con-struct and operate a Super Walmart-sized Nuclear Facility next to the Plu-tonium Facility. CCNS and Robert H. Gilkeson, an independent registered geologist, brought the seismic issues forward to the congressional delega-tion, DOE, LANL and independent oversight boards. In the end, the Nu-clear Facility project was canceled due to the rising costs to meet the seismic requirements.

The NDA Act includes $712 million for expand-ed manufacturing of plu-tonium pits at LANL and the Savannah River Site.

E PA T O R E QU I R E N E W WAT E R P O L LU T I O N C O N T RO LS I N LO S A L A M O SIn response to a lawsuit, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require new pollution controls. The EPA says that stormwater discharges from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Los Alamos County are contributing to violations of water quality standards and that those discharges must be con-trolled and regulated under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimi-nation System (NPDES) permit.

Stormwater downstream from LANL has high levels of poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), copper, zinc, nickel and gross alpha radiation and is threatening public health. The water protection group Amigos Bravos petitioned the EPA to address the threat in 2014 but EPA did not respond. In 2019, Amigos Bravos and the Western Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit.

New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) data show PCB levels in Los Alamos Canyon are more than 11,000 times greater than the NM Human Health water quality criteria and 51 times greater than the NM Wildlife Habitat water quality criteria. Sandia Canyon shows PCB contamination more than 14,000 times greater than the NM Human Health water quality criteria and 66 times greater than the NM Wildlife Habitat water quality criteria. PCB levels in Pueblo Canyon are more than 3,500 times greater than the NM Human Health water quality criteria and 16 times greater than the NM Wildlife Habitat water quality criteria. These three drainages are heavily impacted by urban stormwater runoff.

State reports document many more exceedances of standards. Mortandad Canyon is high in PCBs, mercury, silver, cyanide, copper and gross alpha radiation pollution. Pajarito Canyon is impaired for gross alpha radiation, aluminum, PCBs and copper. LANL’s own documents confirm these findings.

Crews repackage waste from fiberglass reinforced plywood box into a container that can be shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, N.M. Photo: U.S. Dept. of Energy

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In order to address the other existential threat—nuclear weapons—Con-cerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety (CCNS) is working to obtain the same results with the new plans to expand pit production.

Our dream is that the LANL mission might transition from manufactur-ing weapons of mass-destruction work to life-affirming work. One tool to ensure this happens is the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition on Nu-clear Weapons. It opened for signature on Sept. 20, 2017. Ninety days after 50 Nation States sign and ratify it, the treaty will go into full force and effect. As of Dec. 23, 2019, 80 Nation States have signed the Treaty; 34 have signed and ratified it.

The treaty is based on international humanitarian law. It prohibits State Parties from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, transferring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons. It also prohibits State Parties from assisting, encouraging or inducing anyone to engage in any of those activities. Further, states must not allow nuclear weapons to be stationed or deployed within their borders. For more infor-mation, visit the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons at http://www.icanw.org/ and Reaching Critical Will, a project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), at http://reachingcriticalwill.org/ .

Nine Nation States, possessing nearly 15,000 nuclear weapons, have not signed the Treaty. They are China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Paki-stan, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States. Campaigns are under-way to urge these countries to sign the treaty.

Once the treaty goes into effect, LANL’s expertise in the field of non-prolif-eration of nuclear weapons will be needed to keep track, not only of nuclear weapons, but also of nuclear materials.

Similar to the discussions about the climate crisis and our dependence on fossil fuels for a source of state reve-nue, New Mexicans also must discuss a collective future that is not dependent upon the nuclear weapons industry. How do we use the treaty to create a sustainable, renewable, contami-nation-free future that supports life, well-being and community? ¢

To learn more and to sign up to receive the weekly CCNS News Update, visit http://nuclearactive.org/.

Joni Arends is co-founder and executive director of Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety (CCNS) 505.986-0997, ccns@nuclearactive.org, http://nuclearactive.org

Joni Arends received the Griff Salisbury Environmental Protection Award from the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, Dec. 2019

Photo © Seth Roffman

In the first decade of this century, a Nuclear Facility project was canceled due to the rising costs to meet the seismic requirements.

RELATED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

JAN. 15 EPA PUBLIC HEARINGLANL Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit renewal. www.epa.gov/nm/lanl-industrial-wastewater-permit-draft-permit-no-nm0028355-0

JAN. 16EPA PUBLIC HEARINGLANL Individual Stormwater Permit renewal. www.epa.gov/nm/lanl-storm-water-individual-permit-draft-permit-no nm0030759

JAN. 28 ENVIRONMENT DAY, NEW MEXICO LEGISLATUREdianeabqnm@gmail.clm

MAR. 15 TULAROSA BASIN DOWNWINDERS CONSORTIUMNational Hispanic Cultural Center, AlbuquerqueThird annual fundraiser. www.trinitydownwinders.com

MARCH DRAFT E.I.S. RELEASED FOR HOLTEC FACILITYNuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) draft Environmental Impact State-ment for proposed Holtec Interim Nuclear Waste Storage Facility in NM released for public comment

APRIL 4, 8–9 A.M.TULAROSA BASIN DOWNWINDERS CONSORTIUMPeaceful demonstrations at the openings of Trinity Site at Tularosa Gate and Stallion Gate. www.trinitydownwinders.com/

APRIL TAOS ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVALIncludes films addressing the nuclear weapons threat. https://taosenvironmentalfilmfestival.com/

JULY CANDLELIGHT VIGILTularosa Little League FieldFor those who have died or lived with cancer from radiation exposure at the 1945 Trinity test

1979 CHURCH ROCK URANIUM SPILL COMMEMORATION

NMED HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMITS10-year renewal applications due from LANL and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

AUG. 5-9 VETERANS FOR PEACE NATIONAL CONFERENCEAlbuquerque and Los Alamos, N.M.https://www.veteransforpeace.org/

AUG. 5–10BEARING WITNESS MEMORIAL SESSHINSanta Fe and Los AlamosUpaya Zen Center marks 75 years since the nuclear bombings. https://www.upaya.org/

AUG. 6–9ACTIVITIES IN LOS ALAMOSAshley Pond, Los Alamos, N.M.Contemplative sitting, silent procession, rally with speakers and performers, candle lighting. http://paceebene.org/

AUG. 6–9CAMPAIGN NONVIOLENCE NATIONAL CONFERENCEHotel Albuquerque and Los Alamos, N.M.Marking the 75th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Martin Sheen, Dolores Huerta, Roshi Joan Halifax and many others. https://paceebene.org/

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U R A N I U M C O N TA M I N AT I O N O F AQU I F E RA plume of uranium contamination is migrating from the Bluewater Dis-posal Site into the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer in northwest New Mexico. The area was heavily mined from the 1950s to the 1990s. New Mexico En-vironment Department officials have said that more test wells and a com-prehensive monitoring network are needed. At the NMED’s request, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to collaborate with the state to ensure accurate measurements. The EPA will work with three mining companies to identify groundwater impacts and cleanup solutions in McKinley and Cibola counties. The companies will be required to make initial payments of $700,000 toward cleanup costs.

At a Senate Indian Affairs hearing chaired by U.S. Sen. Tom Udall in Albu-querque in October 2019, Loretta Christiansen, chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Office of the Indian Health Service (IHS), announced that a federal study found that a quarter of Navajo women had elevated levels or uranium in their blood.

YUCCA’S NUCLEAR PERSPECTIVEFrom Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA)

YUCCA stands alongside water protectors, land defenders and human rights and peace advocates in opposition to nuclear extraction and nuclear produc-tion of all kinds.

We have been told a lie by our government and by industry. That lie is that nuclear resources are necessary; that nuclear weapons make us safer and that nuclear energy is necessary to address climate change. Actually, nuclear re-sources have created death and destruction for the people and lands of New Mexico at every phase of their life-cycles. In fact, New Mexico has been a Nuclear Sacrifice Zone.

The extraction of uranium from Indigenous lands has devastated gener-ations of workers, families and animals, and will continue to harm public health for time spans we can’t even imagine. Abandoned uranium mines and mine spills that have never been cleaned up have taken the lives of New Mexicans and continue to poison our lands and waters. The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division has identified 259 sites that produced urani-um, 137 of which have no record of reclamation.

How could New Mexicans ever be proponents of uranium extraction? If we look clearly and acknowledge the plight of our Diné and Laguna Pueblo relatives, who continue to face the dev-astating aftermath of the Churchrock mine spill, more than 500 abandoned mines throughout Navajo Nation, and

the Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine Superfund site, we would never consider supporting extraction of uranium on anyone’s lands.

The production of nuclear weapons has led to contamination of water resources and exposure of our mothers, children and elders to dangerous radiation. San Ildefonso—which had its sacred places stolen by the federal government to create the Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL)—has been subjected to the environmental racism of the nuclear industry. Com-munities throughout the Española Valley, as well as those downstream from the labs, have experienced contamination of their waters, lands and bodies. Atomic bomb tests at the Trinity Site have left residents and “Downwind-ers’”with generations of cancer clusters and premature death.

The use of these weapons has created unthinkable murder, devastation and generational suffering for our brothers and sisters across the sea.

Radioactive waste created by both nuclear weapons and nuclear energy has no solution except...they say they will bring it to New Mexico, the Nuclear Sacrifice Zone, to once again poison our people and the land we love. Will we let them?

While the members of frontline communities and the human species itself are under threat from the constantly growing climate crisis, our federal government is using our money and the national labs in New Mexico to make weapons that require creation of ecologically catastrophic waste. By so heavily funding nuclear development, the U.S. government is not just divert-ing resources from the climate crisis, but is in fact perpetuating an additional existential threat that our generation will have to face. Instead of spending billions of dollars on death and destruction, we should be using those funds ($712 million appropriated in 2019) to address critical social needs in our communities, build economic vitality and family-supporting jobs that people can be proud to hold, and facilitate a just transition to a fossil-fuel- and nu-clear-free energy future.

New Mexico has been a Nuclear Sacrifice Zone.

E N E RGY I N ST I T U T E P ROJ E CTS D I R E C O N S E QU E N C ES F RO M F R AC K I N G BA N A hydraulic fracturing ban in certain locations has been proposed by some Democratic presidential candidates. The director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute says that if oil and gas industry frack-ing were banned, there would be dire consequences for New Mexico and the country. Marty Durbin attended a business luncheon in Albuquerque in December, where he highlighted the results of the GEI’s study.

Durbin said that 27,000 jobs in New Mexico would be lost and $7 billion in economic activity would be eliminated within the first year of a prohibition. Additionally, household incomes would drop by $2 billion, and $681 million in state and local tax revenue would disappear. Over five years, 142,000 jobs would be lost and $86 billion in gross domestic product would be lost.The Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas became the world’s most productive oilfield in 2019. The state produced about 900,000 barrels of oil a day and collected about $7.8 billion. Durban touted the global stabilization of oil prices as a result of U.S. production and spoke of a “shale oil revolution.”

A recent study from a researcher at Cornell University says that the boom in fracking to extract shale gas, largely composed of methane, is responsible for a surge of atmospheric concentration of the powerful greenhouse gas. The report warns that if this extraction continues to rise, it will make the goals of the Paris climate agreement more difficult to achieve.

N M S U AWA R D E D G R A N T T O ST U DY WAT E R S E C U R I T Y New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering is part of a team that has been awarded a five-year, $100 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of En-ergy to create the Energy-Water Desalination Hub to address water security issues. The objective is to conduct early-stage research and development for energy-efficient and cost-competitive desalination technologies for treating “nontraditional” water sources.

Pei Xu, PESCO Endowed Professor and Ward Family Endowed Interdis-ciplinary Chair in Civil Engineering, is leading NMSU’s participation in a consortium that includes Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and National Energy Technology Laboratory, along with industry partners.

NMSU also received a second $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation in Sept. 2019 to continue smart grid research.

24 GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020

We need everyone to get involved in the process to hold LANL accountable for their legacy waste, for their role in nuclear proliferation, and to say no to nuclear waste dumping in New Mexico. We demand peace, justice and sustainability and a world free of both fossil fuel and nuclear destruction. ¢

This statement was delivered to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham by YUCCA leader Triana Reid. It was co-written by the YUCCA Steering Committee: Veroaylin Campos, Artemisio Romero y Carver, Eliza Hillenkamp, Seneca Johnson, Ruby Lopez, Josue Martínez, Faith Pennell-Sutton, Nayeli Solis and Yang Toledo.

Renewing Health-Promoting Habits in the New YearBY JAPA K. KHALSA, DOM

Have you ever tried to change a habit and struggled to stick with the new habit? Mapped out a new exercise regimen and ended up with unused exercise equip-ment in your garage? Or a new healthier diet plan fell to the wayside while you returned to the old style of eating and gained the weight right back?

Why do some health habits stick and others don’t?

It is clear that restorative, body-supportive habits promote health recovery, and we know that this is good for us… So why is it so hard sometimes to give up a particular food or bad habit and nurture a new one?

Well, to understand this fully, we have to unpack how our spirit/body/mind connection influences day-to-day habits. The reason is this: There is an underlying self-limiting belief that is hard-wired into our subconscious mind and it is quite simply blocking the new habit.

One would think that life pressures or timing issues lead to these broken promises to ourselves, but truly it is this deep down self-limiting belief, often from early childhood, that creates an inner conflict that interferes with making and keeping the new habit.

Day-to-Day Life ExampleLet’s take a real-life example to see how this plays out in regular life, and then we will look at how to generate a new, expansive belief that aligns us with our soul’s longing, which is unlimited. The habit is possible once we clear the inner conflict and align with our infinite nature.

Let’s say you decide to give up sugar for the New Year, thinking that it will help to keep weight down and lower inflammation. Your body may feel better if you stick to fruit and avoid processed sugars. It seems like a no-brainer. If you apply your sensitivity to it, you may notice a difference as soon as you switch to choosing fruit over processed sugars.

For a while the “feel better” will carry you in your new habit. But let’s say when you go out with friends or to a party, sugary treats are everywhere and you start to go through an emotional trigger around it. Suddenly you feel left out or no fun. You could tell yourself “Oh, just one bite of dessert is fine,” but if this emotional trigger is not examined, it could lead to a spiral relapse into decadent desserts.

Sugar becomes a way to relieve the feeling of inner sorrow or loneliness. Let’s ex-amine the feelings of this emotional experience around the decision to stop eating

Student leaders with signs against nuclear extraction and waste during YUCCA’s FridaysfortheFuture Action, in partnership with Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety

Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy Screenings booth, ABQ Health & Wellness ExpoPhoto © Seth Roffman

P N M’S N AVA J O N AT I O N WO R K F O RC E T R A I N I N G S C H O L A RS H I PSOn Dec. 20, 2019, Public Service Company of New Mex-ico (PNM) announced a $500,000 commitment to Navajo students in the Four Corners area for the PNM Navajo Nation Workforce Training Scholarship Program. The program supports training for Navajo tribal members for existing and emerging jobs. “In the transition of moving New Mexico forward together and becoming 100 percent emissions-free by 2040, our continued partnership with the Navajo Nation continues to be a highly valued relation-ship,” said Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM Resources chair-man, president and CEO.

PNM has fulfilled an initial five-year $1-million agreement signed with Navajo Nation officials in 2013. To date, the program has awarded almost 700 scholarships and pro-duced 337 Navajo graduates, who have earned trade certifi-cates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, according to a news release. PNM’s new $500,000 commitment to the program—provided by shareholders—is to run through 2025. PNM will continue to work with the Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint and San Juan College in Farmington to administer the program.

Inhale deeply and gently suspend the breath, and mentally repeat the new belief three times. Then state the new belief once out loud as you release the breath. Continue this cycle for nine to 11 repetitions. ¢

Dr. Japa K. Khalsa, author of Enlightened Bodies, is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a certified yoga therapist. She schedules sessions over Skype, FaceTime or in person. 505.929.2794, drjapa.com. Grdcenter.org is a long-estab-lished New Mexico non-profit focused on educating health professionals in Kundalini yoga therapy.

GREENFIRETIMES.COM 25

sugar to figure out the self-limiting belief that is undermining the new habit.You might “feel” left out and no fun when deprived of sugar, which means that the cycle of thoughts is racing around feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps there is an underlying belief of lack of love around food choices. As a child, perhaps you were rewarded with sweets for good behavior, so stopping sweets is trigger-ing that early belief and brain patterning. The feeling of not being good enough and not being “part” of the family experience gets triggered when sugar is withheld.

If we look at this thought/feeling behavior or action pattern and remember family meals where the dynamic was anticipation of dessert in exchange for good behavior… we can see a self-limiting belief that one will only get love when there is dessert! This belief is a true heart-longing, and will seriously un-dermine the capacity to resist sugar.

So what to do? The answer is actually simple, but not easy to do. Once the old belief is identified we can search and find the inner conflict that is creating the suffering and pain. The self-limiting belief is along the lines of “I will not receive love unless I eat sugar.”

Unlimited BeliefsSo we ask ourselves, what are new ways that I receive love now? How can we free ourselves from the box of the old belief and move into an open-ended belief that is aligned with where we are now?

Perhaps we can tap our resources; reach out to supportive friends or a life partner and set up fun activities that don’t involve dessert! Or create a new kind of reward system that you nurture and reward yourself for your good behavior with fun activities that you look forward to, rather than sweets as a reward.

We can move to experience love in a different way. There are many ways one can receive love, only some of them involving food… so a new belief will free us from the attachments and triggers of food and love. The new belief could be along the lines of, “There are unlimited ways that I receive love and have fun.”

The How To’sIf you have a habit in mind that you wish to change, walk through the following

steps to drill down on the old belief that is limiting you. This is a system from Kundalini Yoga Therapy that can help you cultivate new beliefs that support healthy habits leading to health recovery:

1. On a piece of paper, draw a line across the top and a line down the center.2. The new belief will go on the right side of the page and the old emotions and beliefs will go on the left.3. Pick one area of your life where you are struggling and take a moment to feel the frequency of that struggle and what you would like to change about it.4. Brainstorm a bit on the left side of the page and see if you can pin down the feelings, the thoughts and the underlying core belief that is limiting you.5. Jot down that core belief.6. Now contemplate how that belief is holding you back from what you truly long for in life. Your soul is unlimited and expansive in every way, so breathe deeply, close your eyes and feel into your higher self, guiding you toward your inner freedom!7. Write down this new belief on the right side of the page. Try to keep the new belief concise.

Letting it All Sink InTo let this new belief truly sink in, Kundalini Yoga Therapy advises the follow-ing technique that allows the subconscious mind to coordinate with the breath to imprint the new belief.

Why is it so hard sometimes to give up a particular food or bad habit and nurture a new one?

EASY VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE MINESTRONE SOUP

Local food and farmers’ markets (Farmersmarketsnm.org) lead to local and global health through sustainable agriculture and food security. Purchase veggies at our renowned local farmers’ markets or join your neighborhood CSA farm-share.

Fast cooking in an instant pot. Chop up some carrots, celery and one onion. Sauté with olive oil and a splash of water till just soft. Add two chopped tomatoes and juice or can of diced tomatoes. (Optional: add one can of white beans.) Sprinkle in basil, oregano, thyme or whatever Mediterranean herbs you’ve got handy. Cover with veggie stock plus ¼-inch of stock above veggies. Add one cup of gluten-free pasta, close lid and high pressure for nine minutes, let sit for two minutes before releasing pressure. If you don’t have pressure cooker, exactly the same, just cook for 20 minutes and add pasta for the last 12 minutes of cooking.

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26 GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020

Shifting from Sugar : Diabetes in New MexicoBY SUSAN GUYETTE

What is diabetes, exactly? Certainly, it is more than a matter of insulin resistance. The social consequences of diabetes include family burden and loss of produc-tivity at work, not to mention, early death. Loss of seniors at an early age affects the teaching of traditional cultures, and cultural continuance is vitally important in New Mexico. This article focuses on lifestyle factors for preventing type 2 diabe-tes mellitus, natural complementary management and losing weight. You may be at more risk than you think.

Diabetes in New MexicoA closer look at the New Mexico diabetes epidemic shows reason for great concern. Nationally, 30 million Americans have some form of diabetes (2017), translating to nearly 10 percent of the population. Another 86 million are estimat-ed to have prediabetes (blood glucose levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes). In the U.S., according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four young adults and close to one in five adolescents have prediabetes. In New Mexico, approximately 14.1 percent of the population has diabetes and an additional 39.7 percent of the adult population has prediabetes. Ethnic differences in diabetes rates are especially prominent. Native Americans have the highest rate (Chart 1).

Direct medical expenses in New Mexico for diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes are estimated at a staggering $2 billion annually—impacting available resources for well-being.

About DiabetesDiabetes, a metabolic illness, is associated with problems controlling the hormone insulin, causing high blood sugar. Extend-ed exposure to high blood sugar levels damages nerve

fibers that affect blood vessels, the heart, eyes, limbs and organs. Sugar and car-bohydrates in high-glycemic-index foods trigger the release of insulin, particularly

simple carbohy-drates.

Not eating hidden simple sugars is a complicated matter. Besides those found in high fructose corn syrup and sugar, they are in crackers, luncheon meats, refined grains such as ce-real, pasta, breads, crackers, pretzels, muffins, cakes, cookies, pancakes, donuts, rice cakes, peanut butter and puffed-rice cereals. Hidden sugars are everywhere in pro-

cessed foods, such as sodas, desserts, catsup, yogurt, gum, alcohol, wine and beer—among others.

A gradual shift off sugar and refined carbohydrates is healthy for prevention and intervention. Sugar feeds inflammation and heightens risk, not only for diabetes, but for the other preventable degenerative diseases as well—heart disease, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s (and other memory disorders). Untreated, diabetes can increase the risk

of coronary heart disease, pregnancy risks, vision loss, digestive issues, blind-ness, stroke, amputation and end-stage kidney disease.

Tips for the Swif tWhy are sugars in whole foods less harmful? Besides containing fewer carbs in fillers, whole foods contain insulin-regulating fiber. Cutting out sugar and foods that turn quickly into sugar (high-glycemic-index foods) and eating low-carb foods can become a delicious adventure.

1. Eat a high-fiber diet (Chart 2).2. Cook with garlic, a local plant with blood-sugar-decreasing properties.3. Avoid GMO foods, which have been linked to kidney and liver disease and connected to diabetes. Choose organic.4. Create desserts from low-sugar fruits (such as blueberries, straw-berries, raspberries) in a shake or a smoothie. Adding psyllium husks to a smoothie provides seven grams of fiber per two tablespoons. The gel-forming fibers in psyllium slow down the digestion of food, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. In one study of people with type 2 diabetes, a daily dose of five grams, consumed three times per day for six weeks, resulted in a 29 percent reduction in blood sugar levels within the first two weeks (NIH). 5. Stabilize blood sugar by supplementing with spirulina. There are many brands available to add to a drink—just find one with no added sugars.6. Regularly use blood-sugar-lowering spices, such as cinnamon, black pepper and mustard.7. Eat healthy fats, such as monounsaturated olive oil, fish oil, av-ocado oil and seed oils—to avoid the saturated fat-, trans-fat- and

Tip for shifting with ease: Add in one new, deli-cious whole food a week, crowding out processed foods and simple sugars.

An additional factor related to good health: insulin is a fat-making hormone.

Vegetable or FruitFiber Grams Per Cup

Pinto or Black Beans 15.0Artichokes. 10.3Peas 8.8Raspberries 8.0Blackberries 7.6Squash 6.6Jicama 6.4Cornmeal 6.0Broccoli 5.1.Green Beans 3.4Corn 2.0Onion 2.0

– EVERYDAY GREEN –

Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. © Seth Roffman

GREENFIRETIMES.COM 27

hydrogenated-fat diabetes risk factor.8. Desserts are often the challenge for a shift. Again, think of adding in and crowding out the processed. For example, eating a gut-friendly plain yogurt cup with three drops of a better stevia (e.g., dark chocolate) and vanilla, poured over berries and sprinkled with cinnamon—is a stellar dessert.9. Avoid soft drinks and sweetened fruit juices, and even natural ones without fiber (e.g., orange juice). Consider that a soft drink contains approximately 20 teaspoons of sugar. (An exception may occur if you are experiencing a low blood-sugar level.)10. Enjoy healthy beverages, such as ginseng tea and those with the ayurvedic spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cloves and nutmeg. Bengal Spice has the ayurvedic blood-sugar stabilizers. Thinking local: juniper berries are found to lower blood glucose levels. Just go easy, about five berries crushed in a tea, for these berries are a diuretic.11. Take blood-sugar stabilizing supplements, such as chromium picolinate, L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, Quercetin, and zinc.12. Exercise is valuable for diabetes prevention and management. During physical activity your muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. Regular physical activity also helps your body use insulin more efficiently.

Toward a Healthier FutureHow to move forward? Addressing food deserts in New Mexico, where no fresh vege-tables are available, is a critical first step. Encouraging backyard or communal gardens, more food cooperatives, and farmers’ markets increases fresh-food availability.

Early detection and treatment are very important. With small dietary shifts and exercise at the prediabetes point, risk is greatly reduced. If you are eating highly processed foods, you are at risk.

Diabetes impacts future generations genetically. We alter our genes and the expression of our genes by the way we eat. Consider the responsibility of our generation to youth in terms of creating access to healthier food, and paving the way as good role models.

So what about the traditional biscochittos, frybread and soda? Keep them for that once- or twice-a-year treat and enjoy the traditions. Eat well and be well in the New Year! ¢

Susan Guyette, Ph.D., is of Métis heritage (Micmac Indian/Acadian French). She is a planner specializing in cultural tourism, cultural centers, museums and native foods, as well as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Her passion is supporting the cultural retention of time- honored traditions. sguyette@nets.com

Race/Ethnicity % DiagnosedAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native 20.3%Black/African American 16.2%Hispanic 13.0%Asian/Pacific Islander 10.7%New Mexico 10.4%United States 9.9%

FUNDRAISER FOR HONOR THE EARTH AND TNAFAFebruary 6, Scottish Rite Theater, Santa Fe, New Mexico

“It Takes a Village,” a fundraiser for Honor the Earth and the Tradi-tional Native American Farmers Association (TNAFA), will take place at the Scottish Rite Temple in Santa Fe on Feb. 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. Featured performers include Indigo Girls and New Mexico poet/singer/environmental scientist Lyla June Johnston. Winona Laduke, an author, economist and international leader in the areas of climate jus-tice, environmental justice and renewable energy, will speak. The event will open with a blessing from TNAFA director Clayton Brascoupe and Tesuque Pueblo elder Vickie Downey.

LaDuke often cites an Anishnaabe prophecy, which speaks of the time of the Seventh Fire. “This is a time when our people will have two roads ahead of us—one path is well-worn, but scorched—and another, which is green. It will be our choice upon which path to embark. That is where we are.”

LaDuke and Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers co-founded the non-profit Honor the Earth, which uses Indigenous wisdom, mu-sic, art and the media to raise awareness and support for Indigenous environmental issues. “It Takes a Village” is a collaboration formed to raise awareness of programs that support healthy families, sustainable traditional farming, seed-saving, and to be a catalyst for strengthening communities.

Tickets are $30 to $125. A pre-show reception for patron ticket-holders is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.universe.com/ittakesaville-santafe.

Top: Indigo Girls, Winona LaDuke; Bottom: Lyla June Johnston, Vickie Downey and kids

GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020 28

U.S. C O M M E RC E D E PA RT M E N T F U N D S N M S U I - C R E W P RO G R A MThe U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Ad-ministration (EDA) has awarded $750,000 to New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) College of Engineering to create the Innovation and Commercialization for Regional Energy Workforce (I-CREW). I-CREW will focus on accelerating clean energy technology and devel-oping a statewide clean energy workforce.

“The I-CREW program leverages our state-of-the-art national labs, abundance of renewable resources and a strong commitment to fight-ing the climate crisis toward developing critical clean energy technol-ogies while creating good jobs,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, during the award’s announcement. Udall was joined by Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Xochiti Torres Small. Heinrich said, “The transition to clean ener-gy represents the greatest opportunity to create thousands of new jobs all across New Mexico—particularly in our rural communities. Wind technician and solar installer are two of the fastest-growing jobs in the nation.”

M I C RO G R I D SYST E M S L A B A N D T H E S M A RT & M I C RO G R I D T R A I N I N G C E N T E R AT S FC CThe non-profit Microgrid Systems Laboratory (MSL), headquartered in Santa Fe, was established to accelerate the transition to a more resil-ient, sustainable and equitable energy system worldwide. MSL oper-ates operates across four synergistic programs: Research, Innovation, Demonstration and Education (RIDE). MSL’s X_GRID Technology Acceleration Hub is working to improve electrical grid resilience and sustainability—including with decentralized energy systems—while

creating a foundation for economic development in New Mexico and the Southwest. The X_GRID coalition partners include: Emera Technologies, Sandia Nation-al Laboratories, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), University of New Mexico (UNM), Public Service Com-pany of New Mexico (PNM), Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, New Mexico SMART Grid Center, Microgrid Systems Laboratory, New Mexico Angels & New Mexico Startup Factory, Santa Fe Business Incubator, and Santa Fe Com-munity College’s Smart & Microgrid Grid Training Center.

MSL also serves on the management team and two research groups of the New Mexico SMART Grid Center, a National Science Foundation (NS-F)-funded ($20 million) statewide grid modernization consortium. The Smart & Microgrid Training Center (SMTC), initiated by MSL in partnership with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), is developing two microgrids to serve as demonstration facilities while also supporting education, testing and research. The first is a “nanogrid,” dedicated to a new greenhouse and controlled growing environment. The second will be a full campus-wide microgrid for all energy and water systems. Siemens Industry is the project’s engineering part-ner. The nanogrid conceptual design is from The National Renewable Energy Laboratory. SFCC has also hired a full-time faculty member to develop and teach curriculum in the distributed energy systems area for SMTC.

Pennsylvania State University (PSU), a leader in microgrid and energy storage technology, distributed energy systems and workforce training, has joined forc-es with MSL and SFCC to develop the Distributed Energy Systems Technical Education Network Initiative (DESTENI). Its goal is to develop a replicable and industry validated technician training and certification program.

MSL’s current projects include the Energy Sovereignty Institute for Native American communities and an associated workshop for New Mexico tribal energy stakeholders. MSL has also collaborated on a proposal for Santa Fe’s Midtown District development, which would include energy and integrated smart systems. For more information, visit https://microgridsystemslab.com.

I N D I A N P U E B LO C U LT U R A L C E N T E R T O C R E AT E O N - CA M P U S I N C U BAT O RThe U.S. Dept. of Commerce has awarded the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) in Albuquerque a $1-million grant for a 10,000-square-foot space for entrepreneurs in the creative, art and agricultural in-dustries. The grant will be matched by the State of New Mexico. The maker space is a $6-million project.

“Emerging Native American entrepreneurs want to create economic and social opportunities, but they often don’t have access to the latest tools or training,” said Rep. Deb Haaland in a statement. “This grant will help the IPCC serve artists and entrepreneurs by providing access to cutting-edge equipment, skills training and technical support in areas such as woodworking, jewelry-making and graphic design so they can start and grow businesses and create jobs in our community.”

The maker space is part of a $70-million expansion at the IPCC. Construction is to start in early 2020. The space will open sometime in 2021. Buffalo Design is developing the architecture. Indian Pueblos Marketing owns and is developing the land around the IPCC.

Nanogrid Conceptual Design. Courtesy MSL

GREENFIRETIMES.COM 29

WHAT’S GOING ONALBUQUERQUEJAN. 9, 8 AM–4:30 PMNM WATER DIALOGUE – 26TH ANNUAL MEETINGIndian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St. NWBuilding water resilience for NM communities. Speakers include UNM’s David Gutzler and Melinda Harm Benson. $20-$70. Regis-tration: nmwaterdialogue.org

JAN. 11, 2–4 PMLA CANOA – NINA OTERO-WARREN: 20TH CENTURY MUJEROTANHCC Library, 1701 4th St. SWIn celebration of the 2020 NM Women’s Vote Centennial, Dr. Anna Nogar will explore the many facets of Otero-Warren, early 20th-cen-tury Nuevomexicana. Free. 505.246.2251, www.nhccnm.org/events/

JAN. 23 APPLICATION DEADLINEFOOD IS FREE ALBUQUERQUELocal businesses can sponsor gardens in 2020. Organization har-vests and distributes surplus crops and facilitates gardens for people with disabilities. (Feb. 1 nominations deadline) info@fifabq.org

THROUGH JAN. 26, 2021IPCC, 2401 12th St. NWPUEBLO WOMEN PAVING CULTURAL PATHWAYSExhibition highlighting how the work of women from 19 commu-nities impacts Pueblos today. Also: Relocated: Urban Migration, Persever-ance and Adaptation, about the effects of the federal employment pro-gram that brought many Pueblo people into the cities. 505.843.7270, www.indianpueblo.org

JAN. 15, 6–8 PMNM SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION MEETINGO’Neil’s Pub, 4310 Central SEAnnual member meeting and board election. Interested members welcome. Nmsolar.org

JAN. 16, 10:30 AM–1:30 PMBUSINESS FINANCE FAIRElectric Playhouse, 5201 Ouray Rd. NWOpportunity for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs inter-ested in small business resources and financing. Presented by the NM Economic Development Dept. Free. Registration required: www.tfaforms.com/4748136

FEB. 21-22, 2020NM ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCEHotel Albuquerque at Old TownHealthy soils, seed saving, marketing, wholesale, regulations, in-dividual crops, grant assistance, new product showcase and much more. $150. For registration or to sponsor a farmer: sagefaulkner@yahoo.com, www.nmofc.org

FEB. 27–28LAND AND WATER SUMMITSheraton Hotel Albuquerque AirportThe theme: Climate-Ready Water Management. Presented by Xe-riscape Council of NM and Arid LID Coalition. 2/26: Pre-summit field trip. www.landandwatersummit.org

SATURDAYS, 1 PMWEEKLY DOCENT-LED TOURSNational Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St. SWTours of exhibits and themes in the Art Museum. $2-$3, free with museum admission. 505.246.2261, nhccnm.org

DAILY, 9 AM–5 PMNM MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND SCIENCE1801 Mountain Rd.Free admission to NM residents with ID on the first Sunday each month. $8/$7/$5. 505.841.2800, nmnaturalhistory.org

DAILY, 8 AM–5 PMRÍO GRANDE NATURE CENTER STATE PARK2901 Candelaria NW270 acres of woods, meadows and farmland. Visitor center open 10 am–5 pm. $3 per vehicle. 505.344.7240, rgnc.org

ABQ 2030 DISTRICTVoluntary collaboration of commercial property tenants, building managers, property owners and developers; real estate, energy and building sector professionals, lenders, utility compa-nies and public stakeholders such as government agencies, nonprofits, community groups and grassroots organizers. Property partners share anonymous utility data and best practices. Professionals provide expertise and services. albuquerque@2030districts.org

BIOPARK BEGINNINGSABQ BioPark, 903 10th St. SWTwelve-or 6-week class for ages 3 –6, accompanied by an adult. Songs, games, crafts and visits to the zoo, aquarium, botanical garden and Tingley Beach. $175/$90. 505.848.7180, www.cabq.gov/biopark/preschool-programs

SANTA FEJAN. 4–11, 6 PMWINTER READING SERIESIAIA Library and Tech Center, 83 Avan Nu Po Rd.Readings by visiting writers and MFA mentors at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Free. Iaia.edu/about/visit

JAN. 11, 10 AM–2 PMCELEBRATION OF LOVE FOR THE EARTHChild Counseling Center of NM, 1400 Maclovia St.“Growing Compassionate Hearts” For 7-to-10-year-olds concerned about climate change and what’s happening in the world. 505.577.4607, childcounselingcenter.com

JAN. 16, 6–7:30 PMINTERNATIONAL FOLK ART MARKET–SF BENEFITIntl. Folk Art Market Center, 620 Cerrillos Rd.Mother goddess traditions of India, presented by Josh Schrei. $12/free for IFAM members. 505.992.7600, www.folkartmarket.org

JAN. 16, 6:30–8:30 PMAGELESS LIVING TV SERIES PREMIERESF Convention Center, 201 W. MarcyPremiere screening featuring 22 best-selling inspirational authors. Co-hosted by NM PBS and AgeNation. Live music. Free guest passes: EventBrite.com https://bit.ly/2qJxqdMm

THROUGH JAN. 19, 2020RECONCILIATION EXHIBITIONIAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Pl.A multi-artist response to the ending and transformation of “La Entrada” as part of SF Fiesta intended to open dialogue. 505.983.1666, iaia.edu/iaia-museum-of-contemporary-native-arts

JAN. 21NM LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINSState Capitol

JAN. 21, 9:30 AMREPLACEMENT ENERGY FOR SAN JUAN GENERATING STATIONPRC, PERA BuildingPublic Regulation Commission hearing regarding closing the coal-fired power plant.

JAN. 23, 10 AM–2 PMCONTINUING EDUCATION AND CONTRACT TRAINING OPEN HOUSERm. 131, Main Building , SF Community College,

30 GREENFIRETIMES.COM JAN/FEB 2020

6401 Richards Ave.Meet instructors and students. Registration: 8 am–5 pm. 505.428.1676, www.sfcc.edu/ce

JAN. 25, 9 AM–JAN. 26, 12 PMEDIBLE INSTITUTELa Fonda Hotel, 100 E. San Francisco St.Industry experts in the sustainable food movement gather to explore communi-ty-based solutions. Presentations, workshops. $75–$150. www.eventbrite.com/e/edible-institute-tickets-77312318225

JAN. 27, 6 PMJACK LOEFFLERHotel Santa FeThe bioregional aural historian will discuss his latest book, Headed into the Wind: A Memoir. $15. 505.466.2775, SouthwestSeminars.org JAN. 28ENVIRONMENT DAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSEState Capitoldianeabqnm@gmail.clm

JAN. 28, 6 PMSMART GIRLS, BOLD QUESTIONSJames A. Little Theater, 1060 Cerrillos Rd.Third Congressional District Forum. Girls Inc. teens will lead a discussion with candidates. Free. RSVP: 505.982.2042, events@girlsofsantafe.org JAN. 29, 10:30 AM–2 PMACEQUIA DAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSEState CapitolAcequias from around the state rally to protect water. 10:30 am: Workshop; 12:30 pm: March around the Roundhouse; 1 pm: Presentations from acequia leaders and state legislators. 505.995.9644, www.lasacequias.org

FEB. 1, 12–2:30 PMSOUPER BOWL 2020SF Convention Center, W. Marcy St.Sample and vote for soups from 25 local chefs. Benefits the Food Depot. $30/$10 adv. $45/$10 day of event. Children under 6 free. 505.471.1633, thefooddepot.org

FEB. 6, 9–10 AMLocal Food and Farm to School AwardsRotunda, State CapitolAwards, ceremony and presentations, organization tables.pam@farmtotablenm.org

FEB. 6, 7–10 PMWINONA LADUKE & INDIGO GIRLSScottish Rite Theater, 463 Paseo de PeraltaWith Lyla June Johnston. Fundraiser for Honor the Earth and Traditional Na-tive American Farmers Assoc. 5:30–6:30 pm: Patron ticket reception. Tickets: $30–$125. www.universe.com/ittakesaville-santafe, www.honorearth.org, www.tnafa.org

FEB. 8, 2–4 PMKINDRED SPIRITS VALENTINE PARTYKindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary, 3749-A Hwy. 14Wellness care and hospice for abandoned senior animals. Take a tour. 505.471.5366, www.facebook.com/KindredSpiritsAnimalSanctuary

FEB. 9, 5:30–7:00 PMHISTORIAN TIMOTHY E. NELSON, PH.D.Jean Cocteau Cinema, 418 Montezuma Ave.Dr. Nelson will share research on Blackdom, NM, the “lost decade,” centennial of the Blackdom Oil Co. and screen trailer of Blackdom: The Mittie Moore Chroni-cles. Info: https://blackdomthesis.com/events-1, Tickets: jeancocteaucinema.com

FEB. 13–JULY 26INDIGENOUS FUTURISM IN CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ARTIAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 108 Cathedral Pl.The future from a Native perspective, illustrating the use of cosmology and science as part of tribal oral history and ways of life. 2/13, 5–7 pm: opening reception. 505.983.1666, iaia.edu/iaia-museum-of-contemporary-native-arts

FEB. 22, 8:30 AM –3 PM; MARCH 28, APRIL 25TEACHER RENEWAL WORKSHOP SERIESAcademy for the Love of Learning , 133 Seton Village Rd.Educators cam explore artistic expression, reflection and peer-to-peer conversa-tion. 505.995.1860, https://aloveoflearning.org/events-workshops

FEB. 22FARM TO TABLE TO STAGESF Farmers’ Market PavilionFarm-based dinner with dance entertainment by students and raffle to benefit Camino de Paz School. Special guest: author/chef Deborah Madison. $80/$300 for four. cdpdinnerdance@gmail.com, www.caminodepaz.net

FEBRUARYSTAGE SANTA FE3209 Mercantile Court, Unit BNew non-profit theater arts facility will offer improv, acting and theater classes. www.stagesantafe.com

SUNDAYS, 11 AMJOURNEY SANTA FE CONVERSATIONSCollected Works Bookstore, 202 Galisteo St.1/12: State Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth on legislative issues; 1/19: New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence with Miranda Viscoli; 1/26: Vecinos de Santa Fe, Neighbors Helping Neighbors; 2/2: Mariel Nanasi, exec. dir., New Energy Economy, on legislative issues and solar energy; 2/9: Joni Arends of Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety; 2/16: State Rep. Andrea Romero and guests from the NM Legislative session; 2/23: Political blogger Joe Monahan will review the Legis-lative session. By donation. www.journeysantafe.com

SUNDAYS, 10 AM–4 PMRAILYARD ARTISAN MARKETSF Farmers’ Market, 1607 Paseo de PeraltaArt & gift galeria by local artists and crafters. 505.983.4098, https://santafefarmers-market.com/railyard-artisan-market/

MON.–SAT.POEH CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM78 Cities of Gold Rd., Pueblo of PojoaqueDi Wae Powa: They Came Back, historical Tewa Pueblo pottery returned by the Smithsonian Institution. Core installation highlights works of Pueblo artists and history. 505.455.3037, Poehcenter.org.

MON.–SAT., 8 AM–4 PMRANDALL DAVEY AUDUBON CENTER1800 Upper Canyon Rd.Trails lead through several habitats and plant zones ranging from meadows to Ponderosa Pine forests. Bird walks and hikes. No dogs allowed. 505.983.4609, nm.audubon.org/randall-davey-audubon-center-sanctuary

TUES., SAT., 8 AM–1 PMSANTA FE FARMERS’ MARKET1607 Paseo de PeraltaNorthern NM farmers & ranchers offer fresh tomatoes, greens, root veggies, cheese, teas, herbs, spices, honey, baked goods, body-care products and much more. 505.983.7726, santafefarmersmarket.com

TUES.–SAT.EL MUSEO CULTURAL DE SANTA FE555 Cam. de la FamiliaRotating exhibits, community programs and performances designed to preserve Hispanic culture. Elmuseocultural.org

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TUES.–SUN., 10 AM–5 PMMuseum of Spanish Colonial Art750 Cam. LejoTrails, Rails and Highways: How Trade Transformed the Art of Spanish NM. $10/16 & under free/First Sun. each month free to NM residents. 505.982.2226, spanishcolonial.org

WEDS.–SUN., 9 AM–5 PMSANTA FE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM1050 Old Pecos Tr.Interactive exhibits and activities. 505.989.8359, Santafechildrensmuseum.org

FRIDAYS, 2 PMINDIAN ARTS RESEARCH CENTER DOCENT-LED TOURSSchool for Advanced Research, 660 García St.Collection of nearly 12,000 pieces of Native American art. $15/free to members. 505.954.7272, www.sarweb.org

DAILY, THROUGH OCT. 4LAUGHTER AND RESILIENCE: HUMOR IN NATIVE AMERICAN ARTWheelwright Museum, 704 Cam. Lejo, Museum HillMultidisciplinary works from the 1880s to the present. 505.982.4636, Wheelwright.org

ONGOING, 10 AM–5 PMTELLING NM: STORIES FROM THEN AND NOWNew Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Ave.500 years of stories—from early Native inhabitants to today’s residents—told through artifacts, films, photographs, computer interactives, oral histories and more. 505.982.6466, www.museumfoundation.org/exhibitions

TAOSTHROUGH APRIL 26Long Environmentalism: Subhankar BanerjeeThe Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St.Photos by the Lannan Chair and professor of art and ecology at UNM. 575.758.9826, www.harwoodmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/234

THIRD TUES. MONTHLY, 5:30 PMTAOS ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKKTAOS, 9 State Rd. 150Networking, presentations, discussion and professional services. Free or by dona-tion. 505.776.7903, www.taosten.org

TUES.–SAT.HARWOOD MUSEUM OF ART238 Ledoux St.Works by Taos Society of Artists and Taos Pueblo artists. Harwoodmuseum.org

OPEN DAILYLA HACIENDA DE LOS MARTÍNEZ708 Hacienda WayNorthern NM-style Spanish colonial “great house” built in 1804 by Severino Martínez. 575.758.1000, Taoshistoricmuseum.org

HERE & THEREJAN. 11, 10 AM–4 PMALDO LEOPOLD COMMEMORATIONGila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentNational Park Service and the Forest Service’s Gila National Forest host a celebra-tion of the life and achievements of the conservationist. Booths, activities, read-ings. www.fs.usda.gov/gila

JAN. 13 APPLICATION DEADLINECOLLABORATIVE FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANTSProjects on public and tribal lands. Small-business owners, conservation and environmental organizations, community groups, tribes, colleges and other organizations may apply. Visit the CFRP grant webpage on the U.S. Forest Service website.

JAN. 15, 6–8 PM; JAN. 22, 29SOLAR ENERGY MEETINGS AND PRESENTATIONS113 E. Logan Ave., Gallup, NMPresentations every Weds. Everyone welcome. 505.728.9246, Gallupsolar.org

JAN. 15 APPLICATION DEADLINEHEALTHY SOIL PROGRAM FUNDINGFunds to advance education projects that support soil health stewardship. Governmental and NGOs can apply. 575.646.2642, www.nmda.nmsu.edu

JAN. 17–19, 2020UCCS GRAIN SCHOOLUniversity of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colo.Brings together experts in the science and practical applications of heritage and ancient grains—from farming to baking and cooking, fermenting, malting and milling. www.uccs.edu/swell/grainschool

JAN. 20SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUMUNLV Campus, Las Vegas, NV.Conference focused on the nexus of sustainability and social equity. www.greenbuildermedia.com/sustainability-symposium-2020-improv-ing-the-human-condition

JAN. 31 APPLICATION DEADLINENEW MEXICO WRITERS GRANTCompetition for funding of new works or works in progress from writers of fiction, nonfiction, journalism, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting. www.nmwriters.org/grant-application

FEB. 3–4NEW MEXICO CHILE CONFERENCELas Cruces Convention CenterHosted by NM State University Chile Pepper Institute. $135; after 1/18: $150. Info/Registration: 575.646.3028, https://chile.nmsu.edu/conference

FEB. 21 APPLICATION DEADLINE2020 ALDO LEOPOLD WRITING CONTESTOpen to NM students in grades 6–12. $500 awards. The theme: “How might reuniting our understanding of ecology and economy help solve to-day’s environmental problems?” Entry form: LeopoldWritingProgram.org

THROUGH FEB. 28AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROGRAMThe NM Dept. of Agriculture offers up to $5,000 incentives to agri-busi-nesses to hire interns. The program provides hands-on educational oppor-tunities for students aspiring to careers in agriculture, as well as young or beginning farmers and ranchers. www.nmda.nmsu.edu/awd-applications/

FEB. 29, 8 AM–5 PM5TH ANNUAL RÍO CHAMA CONGRESOGhost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiú, NMThe theme: Fishing, Boating and Recreation. Keynote by Axie Nevas, director, NM Office of Outdoor Recreation. Presented by the San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership. https://sjcwp-congreso2020.eventbrite.com

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