What's New - San Juan Citizens Alliance

Oct 26 2024

The End of an Era: What’s Next for the Energy Transition in Northern New Mexico

By Mike Eisenfeld Coal, Energy Transition, Press Release No Comments

On August 24, 2024 the 400-foot stacks at the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station in Waterflow, New Mexico were demolished, bringing permanent closure to a facility notorious for being part of the largest single point source of pollution in the…

Oct 08 2024

Third legal intervention filed to defend federal public lands conservation rule from lawsuits

By sjca Lands Protection, Press Release No Comments

SALT LAKE CITY — Community, Tribal and environmental groups today filed a motion to intervene in a third federal lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s new public lands rule, which creates a framework for the agency to manage 245…

Sep 20 2024

Legal intervention launched to defend federal public lands conservation rule from ND, MT, ID lawsuit

By sjca Lands Protection, Press Release No Comments

BISMARCK, N.D. — Community, Tribal and environmental groups today filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit from the states of North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s new public lands rule, which creates a…

Sep 06 2024

Reaction to Demolition of Smokestacks at San Juan Generating Station

By Mike Eisenfeld Coal, Energy Transition, Press Release No Comments

Advocates have been working for years to facilitate a transition to clean energy, ending coal’s polluting legacy and the region’s economic over-dependence on fossil fuels Overflight and drone footage of the site and demolition are available for media (see below)…

Aug 02 2024

An Aerial View of the Energy Transition in the Four Corners

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Of Interest, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

On July 16, 2024, San Juan Citizens Alliance (SJCA) participated in flights over the Four Corners Region through Ecoflight, continuing a 15-year partnership documenting energy transition and economic diversification through aerial vantage points.

Jul 20 2024

Take Action: Help Secure Water in the Dolores River

By Rane Dickerson Rivers, Take Action

The Dolores River needs your support. Flows in the Dolores River below McPhee Dam depend in part on the way that the dam and irrigation infrastructure are operated. Two agreements that direct the operations and water management for McPhee Dam…

Jun 19 2024

Progress Report on the Village at Wolf Creek

By sjca Lands Protection, Wolf Creek No Comments

Our legal fight to prevent the proposed Wolf Creek resort continues as we seek a rehearing before the 10th Circuit Court.

May 23 2024

Take Action: Comment on Winter Travel Planning Efforts on the Rio Grande National Forest

By sjca Lands Protection, Rivers, Take Action

Help shape the future of winter recreation on the Rio Grande National Forest. Learn how to participate in the over-snow-vehicle planning process today!

May 16 2024

Recent Court Ruling Overturns Prior Development Rejections, and Reignites Controversy over the Pillage Wolf Creek

By sjca Lands Protection, Wolf Creek No Comments

The Pillage at Wolf Creek is an ill-conceived fantasy of an out-of-state billionaire, who railroaded his vision through the federal bureaucracy without regard for the environment and communities it impacts.

Apr 29 2024

Renewable Energy transition is Sparking a Renaissance in Four Corners Region

By Mike Eisenfeld Energy Transition, Of Interest, Renewable Energy One Comment

In the wake of coal plant and coal mine retirements in northwestern New Mexico, our community stands at a pivotal moment. The impacts of these closures have reverberated through every aspect of our lives, prompting us to reassess and prepare…

Apr 01 2024

What’s New with LPEA?

By Emelie Frojen Energy Transition, Of Interest, Renewable Energy No Comments

La Plata Electric Association has seen a lot of change over the past several months. From receiving its buy-out calculation and voting to exit its contract with Tri-State, filing suit against Tri-State, issuing a pass-through rate increase, to a major…

Mar 07 2024

Petition: Protect Colorado Wetlands & Streams

By Rane Dickerson Rivers, Take Action

Sign this petition to show your support for healthy wetlands and streams in Colorado.

Feb 07 2024

BLM Assessing Big Game Corridor Protections

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column One Comment

Winter is a good time to think about the stresses facing deer and elk herds. For big game already struggling with deep snows, public land managers can mitigate development that unnecessarily further complicates already challenging conditions. The Bureau of Land…

Feb 02 2024

Take Action: Protect Colorado’s Waterways

By Rane Dickerson Rivers, Take Action

We oppose exploratory drilling and uranium mining in Slick Rock Canyon for these reasons. We ask that you deny the local county permit.

Jan 26 2024

Take Action: Say NO to Uranium Exploration and Mining in Slick Rock Canyon

By Rane Dickerson Lands Protection, Rivers, Take Action

We oppose exploratory drilling and uranium mining in Slick Rock Canyon for these reasons. We ask that you deny the local county permit.

Dec 29 2023

Clean Air, Clean Energy: The Forecast for 2024

By Rane Dickerson Of Interest No Comments

2023 was a great year for local climate and energy wins! La Plata County adopted the strictest community protections from oil and gas on the Western Slope, which includes a hard requirement to maintain at least a 400-foot buffer between homes…

Dec 04 2023

Take Action: Help Improve the BLM’s Big Game Plan

By Rane Dickerson Lands Protection, Take Action, Wildlife

Please join the San Juan Citizens Alliance in showing our support for BLM’s new public lands rule on Conservation and Landscape Health. The new rule emphasizes the importance of conservation on federal public lands and creates and refines tools to…

Dec 04 2023

PRESS RELEASE: Big Game Migrations, Habitat May Benefit with Draft Colorado Plan

By Rane Dickerson Lands Protection, Press Release, Wildlife No Comments

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) just released its Draft Big Game Resource Management Plan Amendment (plan) which covers 8.3 million surface acres and 4.7 million acres of mineral estate extending to every Colorado BLM Field Office and to every corner of…

Nov 21 2023

Looking Back on 2023

By Mark Pearson Of Interest No Comments

Our work to protect the landscapes and communities across the San Juan Basin is oft-times a roller-coaster. While we were recently celebrating the tangible energy transition from coal to solar with groundbreaking at the San Juan Solar project near Farmington,…

Aug 15 2023

ECOFLIGHT: Migration Corridors on Wolf Creek Pass

By sjca Lands Protection, Wildlife, Wolf Creek No Comments

This summer the San Juan Citizens Alliance teamed up with Ecoflight for a flyover of the Southern San Juans. EcoFlight is a nonprofit organization that educates and advocates for the protection of remaining wild lands and wildlife habitat using small aircraft.…

Aug 15 2023

Forests play a role in fighting climate change

By Rane Dickerson Durango Herald Column, Forest Health No Comments

A cherished landscape gained a measure of new protection this month when Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed an order creating a 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park that precludes future oil and gas leasing. The decision culminates…

Jun 30 2023

Chaco Gains Reprieve from New Drilling

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas No Comments

Jun 14 2023

PRESS RELEASE: Lawsuit Targets Timber Sale Threatening Rare Mature Forests, Wildlife in Colorado

By sjca Forest Health, Lands Protection, Press Release, Wildlife 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2023 DOLORES, Colo.— Forest advocates sued the U.S. Forest Service today for violating environmental laws when it approved a nearly 23,000-acre timber sale that would cut large, century-old ponderosa pine trees and threaten wildlife in…

May 31 2023

Take Action: Support the BLM’s New Public Lands Rule!

By sjca Lands Protection, Take Action

May 31 2023

The Beaver Effect

By sjca Rivers No Comments

Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting next to a stream. What do you see? What do you hear? You may be imagining noises associated with a babbling brook with water quickly moving down-gradient. Perhaps you see a bright…

May 24 2023

Energy Choices Come into Focus

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas No Comments

Whitewater boating season offers a metaphor for our local energy supply. We’re in the calm pool edging closer and closer to the lip of the rapid, before plunging into frothy waves below. That’s the position La Plata Electric Association finds…

Apr 07 2023

Take Action: Ensure Wolves are Restored to Colorado This Year

By Gary Skiba Take Action, Wildlife

Contact your Colorado State Senator now and urge them to oppose SB-23-256.

Mar 29 2023

Take Action: Encourage La Plata County to Pass Strong Oil and Gas Regulations

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Take Action

We're facing strong opposition from the oil and gas industry. We need to work together to protect our community from oil and gas industry impacts. Let's encourage La Plata County to enact strong regulations!

Mar 01 2023

Regional Energy Transformation Accelerates

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas No Comments

The Four Corners region is on the cusp of a rapid transformation from coal to renewable energy. The massive coal-fired San Juan Generating Station near Farmington is slated for demolition later this spring, accompanied by the simultaneous construction of large…

Feb 15 2023

Enchant Energy Update

By Mike Eisenfeld Coal, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

we need YOU to call or email our county commissioners and tell them to not defer to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in Denver, but rather protect our public health by taking local leadership in setting setback…

Feb 02 2023

Take Action: Comment on Colorado’s Wolf Management Plan

By Rane Dickerson Take Action, Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is now taking public comment on their Draft Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. They are accepting comments until February 22nd, 2023.

Jan 24 2023

Take Action: Support Strong Methane Rules

By Rane Dickerson Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Show your support for EPA’s new rule and tell the agency to do more for our communities and climate.

Jan 18 2023

Take Action: Stop Excess Methane Waste

By Rane Dickerson Climate Change, Take Action

The comment window for this action alert has closed. Thanks for your interest! To stay involved and receive updates, please sign up for our emails. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed a new rule for Federal and Tribal lands…

Dec 13 2022

Chapter 90 Updated Talking Points

By Emelie Frojen Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

Dec 08 2022

Take Action: Protect Greater Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Encourage the Bureau of Land Management to honor Greater Chaco by limiting exploitative extraction industries!

Dec 05 2022

Chapter 90 La Plata County Commission Talking Points

By Emelie Frojen Energy Transition, Events, Renewable Energy No Comments

La Plata County is hosting a public hearing to hear your thoughts on the setbacks and we are urging our members to make their voice heard by showing up and advocating for a 2,000ft setback.

Oct 31 2022

EPC City Council Talking Points

By Emelie Frojen Energy Transition, Events, Renewable Energy No Comments

The City Council is voting (on Tuesday 11/1) on whether to stick with the contract going forward and have energy efficiency and solar upgrades performed. SJCA is urging the city council to stick with the full EPC!

Oct 21 2022

PRESS RELEASE: Court Again Rejects Village at Wolf Creek Development Proposal

By sjca Press Release, Wolf Creek One Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2022 A Federal District Court Thursday once again rejected plans by the would-be developers of the Village at Wolf Creek to gain access across national forest lands for the ill-conceived project. Senior Federal Judge Christine…

Oct 03 2022

Indigenous and conservation groups to federal court: Protect Greater Chaco region from illegal fracking

By sjca Events, Press Release No Comments

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit heard oral arguments related to the Trump administration’s illegal approval of more than 370 drilling permits in the Greater Chaco region of northwest New Mexico. Attorneys with the Biden administration defended the…

Sep 30 2022

Take Action: Protect La Plata County From Oil and Gas Impacts

By sjca Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Bighorns need our help! Disease from domestic sheep is threatening bighorns in Colorado. We need CPW to help close high risk domestic allotments.

Aug 31 2022

Press Release: Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Durango on September 16-17

By Rane Dickerson Events, Press Release No Comments

For Immediate Release: Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the Banff…

Aug 22 2022

Climate legislation is unprecedented in scope

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column No Comments

This past week Congress passed sweeping legislation that takes a serious swipe at attacking the root causes of climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act aims to cut carbon emissions by more than 40% by the year 2030. It’s the most…

Jul 18 2022

Closure of San Juan Generation Station signals coal’s demise

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas No Comments

The Four Corners took a significant step toward a coal-free future as Unit 1 of the San Juan Generating Station closed forever on June 30. The event occurred without fanfare, and represents the inexorable decline of mining and burning coal…

Jul 11 2022

Wolf Planning Talking Points

By Gary Skiba Wildlife No Comments

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be holding a wolf planning meeting this July 27th and 28th in Durango. We need people to turn up and speak against the recreational killing of wolves. THE EVENT: The CPW Wolf Planning Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG)…

Jul 06 2022

Electric co-ops cut costs through independence

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, LPEA Spotlight No Comments

June marks a significant milestone among rural electric cooperatives within the Tri-State system, notably for our neighbor Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in Taos, New Mexico. Six years ago, Kit Carson blazed a new path for electric co-ops in our region…

May 24 2022

PRESS RELEASE: Four Corners community groups fight to retain hard-won public benefits in merger case appeal

By sjca Oil & Gas, Press Release No Comments

Today, four northwest New Mexico community groups, along with the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (CCAE), joined an appeal to the state’s Supreme Court challenging the rejection of a merger between PNM Resources and Avangrid, a global leader in renewable…

May 12 2022

Take Action: Protect Clean Water in Colorado

By sjca Rivers, Take Action No Comments

The comment window for this action alert has closed. Thanks for your interest! To stay involved and receive updates, please sign up for our emails. As we move into a future of climate uncertainty, and as streams with exceptional water…

Apr 29 2022

Take Action: Protect Greater Chaco

By Emelie Frojen Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Bighorns need our help! Disease from domestic sheep is threatening bighorns in Colorado. We need CPW to help close high risk domestic allotments.

Apr 19 2022

Abandoned mines, wells present vexing problems

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, LPEA Spotlight No Comments

Our region hosts an abundance of abandoned mine sites and orphaned oil and gas wells. They contaminate our water and air with acid mine drainage and leaking methane. They are the legacy of decades of resource extraction, and unfortunately, taxpayers…

Apr 01 2022

Local electric supplies set for big change

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, LPEA Spotlight No Comments

La Plata Electric Association’s board of directors voted in February to dramatically revamp our local source of electricity. In a unanimous decision, the board agreed to a partial buyout of its existing electricity supply contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission.…

Mar 11 2022

Quick Tips: Going Green and How to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

By sjca Guest Article 2 Comments

Living a green life is the ultimate goal, right? You're doing better by the environment, making sustainable choices, and even potentially bringing down your expenses. What’s more, by living a greener life, you’re doing your part to help address climate…

Mar 10 2022

Poor environmental review derails oil and gas leases

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas, Wildlife No Comments

Last week, a federal court ruled that the Bureau of Land Management failed to follow the law in selling oil and gas leases across Southwest Colorado in two recent auctions. The ruling applies to 14 parcels involving about 10,000 acres…

Feb 08 2022

PRESS RELEASE: Community, conservation groups unified in opposition to fossil gas hydrogen bills

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas, Press Release No Comments

Prominent community and conservation groups today responded to ongoing legislative maneuvering to promote fossil-fueled hydrogen in New Mexico with taxpayer subsidies The New Mexico House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee tabled the Hydrogen Hub Development Act (HB4) due to…

Jan 27 2022

Take Action: Support Colorado’s Bighorn Sheep

By Gary Skiba Take Action, Wildlife No Comments

Bighorns need our help! Disease from domestic sheep is threatening bighorns in Colorado. We need CPW to help close high risk domestic allotments.

Jan 27 2022

Support Colorado’s Bighorn Sheep

By Gary Skiba Wildlife 3 Comments

We all recognize the iconic value of bighorn sheep in Colorado. As the state mammal, bighorns are one of our most important species. But bighorns in Colorado could and should be doing much better. The single biggest threat and cause of…

Jan 20 2022

Region’s future electricity supply in play

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition No Comments

Electricity customers across Southwest Colorado have the opportunity this month to provide feedback about the future of our electricity supply. The Colorado Public Utility Commission is reviewing plans for long-term electric generation resources put forth by Tri-State Generation and Transmission,…

Jan 20 2022

Restoring Bighorns & Wolves

By Gary Skiba Climate Change, Newsletter, Rivers No Comments

Imagine Colorado 150 years ago, when hearing a faraway wolf howl or seeing a bighorn was not rare. While many things have changed in those 150 years, our Wildlife Program aims to restore this wildlife and ensure that it happens…

Jan 11 2022

NM Supreme Court Rules ETA Constitutional

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

Environmental, Community, Tribal, Faith Grassroots Groups Celebrate SANTA FE, N.M. (Jan. 10, 2022) — The New Mexico Supreme Court today rejected New Energy Economy’s challenges to the constitutionality of the Energy Transition Act (ETA) and upheld the New Mexico…

Dec 28 2021

Conservation Gains Across Four Corners Mark the New Year

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

After a whirlwind year, it’s time to take stock of some conservation gains over the past 12 months. We often ride a teeter-totter of conservation policy, down one year, up the next, but overall many a cherished landscape across the…

Nov 22 2021

Land near Chaco Canyon receives protections

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

This week the Biden administration took action to safeguard lands surrounding Chaco Canyon from impacts associated with encroaching oil and gas extraction. The Department of Interior announced a two-year moratorium on new oil and gas leasing within the 10-mile zone…

Nov 11 2021

Prioritizing Public Lands

By sjca Forest Health, Lands Protection, Newsletter No Comments

Our work protecting the lands and forests across the San Juan Basin is ever-changing. Here is a quick summary of what we’re working on right now: Bootjack Ranch/Valle Seco Land Exchange The Decision Notice for this sordid and coordinated effort…

Nov 03 2021

Opportunities for Dolores River Conservation

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Rivers No Comments

One of the most remarkable features of Southwest Colorado is the spectacular canyon carved by the Dolores River. On those occasions when an abundance of snowpack blesses our region, adventurers can enjoy floating through 100 miles of a wild canyon…

Oct 21 2021

Land of Enchantment, Not Enchant Energy

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition No Comments

The choice between continued coal power or equitable transition at San Juan Generating Station There is nothing enchanting about Enchant Energy’s proposal to continue burning dirty coal and emitting pollutants in the Four Corners long into the future. Enchant proposes…

Oct 19 2021

Take Action: Expose Enchant Energy

By sjca Climate Change, Take Action No Comments

Expose Enchant Energy - We need your voice in asking the Farmington BLM to do a comprehensive environmental analysis of this project that includes thorough public participation. Enchant Energy is a company that seeks to continue burning coal at the…

Oct 06 2021

Hydrogren Press Release 10/5

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

Or linked here: https://www.sanjuancitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hydrogen-Press-release-October-5-2021.docx.pdf

Sep 02 2021

Opportunities abound for engagement on climate change

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column No Comments

A friend recently lamented the apparent disappearance of Colorado’s trademark cobalt blue skies, those piercingly clear summer days in the mountains when you can see almost forever. Instead, our peaks and valleys are obscured by smoke in a ritual repeated…

Aug 27 2021

Take Action: Colorado Deserves Clean Air

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Take Action No Comments

Colorado's air quality is being threatened by the ever-present reality of oil and gas emissions. Let's ensure our air stays clean and create strong methane regulations for the state of Colorado.JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJSTlpPd3VNcVRpJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkZWZhdWx0LnNhbHNhbGFicy5vcmclMkZhcGklMkZ3aWRnZXQlMkZ0ZW1wbGF0ZSUyRmM1MDNhN2VhLWZiY2UtNGI3MS1hNzkzLTBmOWMwNmU5ZGQyYSUyRiUzRnRJZCUzRFJOWk93dU1xVGklMjIlMjAlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=

Aug 20 2021

National forest land exchange poses troubling trade-offs

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

A festering land exchange controversy near Pagosa Springs is emblematic of larger questions about public lands and private demands. It is the latest in a series of exchanges whereby wealthy landowners covetous of adjacent national forest lands contrive a means…

Jun 30 2021

Take Action: Protect Wild Places in the San Juan Mountains

By Rane Dickerson Lands Protection, Take Action

Yet another Texas billionaire has set his sights on acquiring roadless national forest lands and wild river corridors. The Proposed Valle Seco Land Exchange would hand 175 acres of wilderness-caliber roadless lands adjacent to the South San Juan Wilderness to…

Jun 29 2021

July LPEA Spotlight

By Emelie Frojen LPEA Spotlight No Comments

LPEA Election Results We’re thrilled that the LPEA elections resulted in a majority board supportive of local renewable energy. The results were: District 1 (Archuleta County): incumbent Kirsten Skeehan (1,281 votes) defeated Veronica Medina (434 votes).District 2 (south and west…

Jun 14 2021

Fighting Air Pollution with Science-based Standards

By Emelie Frojen Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

Fighting Air Pollution with Science-based Standards Here in the Four Corners, we highly value clean air, pure water, and healthy lands, which are the foundations of resilient communities, ecosystems and economies in the San Juan Basin. But with air quality…

Jun 01 2021

Transparency, Rate Reductions, & the 2021 LPEA Election

By sjca LPEA Spotlight No Comments

This blog series covers the monthly La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) Board of Directors meetings. We’re tracking the board for transparency and accountability, as well as to stay current on their renewable energy initiatives. Find past and future spotlights here. Get…

May 28 2021

Protecting Wolves with the Endangered Species Act

By Gary Skiba Species 3 Comments

The Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and the Sierra Club have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), requesting the restoration of federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray…

May 26 2021

Electric Co-ops Boost Local Energy Supplies

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy No Comments

An inspiring story of rapid energy transition is playing out in a neighboring rural electric cooperative in northern New Mexico. Just recently, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative announced it is ahead of schedule to complete several solar projects by the end…

Apr 23 2021

Domestic Sheep Grazing Halted at Coller State Wildlife Area

By Gary Skiba Species No Comments

Last winter SJCA, (along with our partners at Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society) scored a victory to keep bighorn sheep safe and improve the management of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) State Wildlife Areas (SWAs).…

Apr 19 2021

States Pursue Competing Energy Visions

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy No Comments

Colorado and Wyoming are on rapidly diverging paths to distinctly different energy futures. Colorado’s Legislature next week will contemplate further greenhouse gas emissions reductions, with stricter requirements for rapid transition away from coal and other carbon emitting fuels. The intent…

Apr 12 2021

Creating Jobs & Reducing Pollution by Reclaiming Orphaned Wells

By sjca Oil & Gas One Comment

The Orphaned Well Cleanup and Jobs Act of 2021 is being heard right now in the New Mexico State Legislature. The Act would plug and reclaim orphaned wells, helping to create jobs and reduce pollution in New Mexico. This blog…

Apr 12 2021

Preparing for the HD Mountain BioBlitz

By sjca Lands Protection, Species No Comments

The territory bordering the Piedra River as it leaves the San Juan Mountains and emerges into lower elevation lands has long been of interest to peoples who lived in and travelled through these lands. The endemic forests, grasslands and streamside…

Mar 30 2021

Co-op Reform & Emissions Reductions Bills in the Colorado Legislature

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Mar 25 2021

Gold King Legacy Leads to Stronger Water Protections

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Gold King Mine No Comments

Colorado is currently considering ways to strengthen rules for protecting water from future hardrock mining operations. It’s a direct link back to the Gold King Mine spill in 2015, though one perhaps obscured by the passage of time. The path…

Feb 23 2021

States, Industry, Consumers Leading Climate Change Policy

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column No Comments

Events of the past year drove home the reality of our changing climate. Colorado experienced the three largest wildfires in recorded history, two of which burned across high mountain forests in October, a month normally reserved for the onset of…

Feb 16 2021

Take Action: Support the Colorado Wilderness Act & BLM Wildlands

By sjca Lands Protection, Take Action No Comments

The Colorado Wilderness Act has been reintroduced, but in order to pass it needs the support of Colorado's Senators. Take action today and ask Colorado Senators Michael Bennet & John Hickenlooper to support the Colorado Wilderness Act!JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJhQW90ZGRTcnVuJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkZWZhdWx0LnNhbHNhbGFicy5vcmclMkZhcGklMkZ3aWRnZXQlMkZ0ZW1wbGF0ZSUyRjMyZmRjZmU0LTNjM2QtNGQ4My05ZTUxLThiNDlmZWNiNWM0NiUyRiUzRnRJZCUzRGFBb3RkZFNydW4lMjIlMjAlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=

Feb 11 2021

Take Action: Support Strong Protections for Colorado Rivers

By sjca Rivers, Take Action No Comments

JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJzVmdoRkdUUHBDJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkZWZhdWx0LnNhbHNhbGFicy5vcmclMkZhcGklMkZ3aWRnZXQlMkZ0ZW1wbGF0ZSUyRmEwNmNkN2VlLTBiODYtNDRhNC04YWMwLTkwNGZlMzk3M2VlOSUyRiUzRnRJZCUzRHNWZ2hGR1RQcEMlMjIlMjAlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=

Feb 04 2021

Coloradans Applaud Re-Introduction of Colorado Wilderness Act

By sjca In the News, Lands Protection No Comments

The Colorado Wilderness Act was reintroduced in Congress today! First introduced in 1999, the wilderness bill proposes protections for 660,000 acres of Colorado's most spectacular canyon and desert wildlands, like the Dolores River Canyon. New wilderness protections are strongly supported…

Feb 03 2021

Clean Air, Mining Reform, & More: Updates at the New Mexico Legislative Session

By Mike Eisenfeld Energy Transition, Of Interest No Comments

Several bills were heard yesterday in the New Mexico Legislative Session House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee with good outcomes! 1. The Oil and Gas Subdivision Parcels Bill (HB 136) was drafted purportedly to address exemptions to subdividing lands to…

Jan 29 2021

Climate Solutions at the New Mexico Legislature

By sjca Climate Change, Energy Transition No Comments

Support the New Mexico Climate Solutions Act (HB 9) Sponsored by Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Angelica Rubio, House Speaker Brian Egolf, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, and Senators Benny Shendo and Carrie HamblenThe Climate Solutions Act (HB 9) establishes…

Jan 26 2021

Introduction to the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Take Action No Comments

Remote Testimony for the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session Because of the pandemic, things are looking a little different this year at the New Mexico State Legislature. The entire 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session (60-day session from January 20-March 2oth)…

Jan 22 2021

Land Protection on Deck for New Congress

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Congress reconvenes this month with major unfinished business around land conservation legislation of great significance to Southwest Colorado. After decades of analysis and consideration, last year bills advanced through the U.S. House of Representatives to enact wilderness and other protective…

Jan 11 2021

Can Carbon Capture Save Coal?

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

We don't think so. Check out this video to learn more:

Jan 07 2021

SJCA Annual Update Video

By sjca Energy Transition, Lands Protection, Of Interest, Rivers No Comments

Since we couldn't see everyone in person this year, we made a video to show you what our staff has been up to & update you on some of our top campaigns! Check it out!

Dec 23 2020

New Administration Means New Environmental Rules

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column No Comments

The changing of the guard of presidential administrations frequently brings substantial reversals of previous rules and policies. The Trump administration gained notoriety for its widespread attempts to abandon or undermine rules intended to reduce pollution or safeguard public lands. It’s…

Nov 28 2020

Tri-State Plans to Cut Emissions But Flaws Are Exposed

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Nov 25 2020

Utility to Assist Navajo Energy Transition

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition No Comments

The accelerating transition from coal-fired electricity to renewables is great news for the climate, but poses tough economic challenges to dependent communities like Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico. After decades of a local economy linked to the jobs around mining…

Nov 23 2020

Take Action: Protect Chimney Rock & the HDs from Needless Development

By sjca Lands Protection, Oil & Gas, Take Action 2 Comments

BLM’s Continued Assault of our Public Lands Next Target: Chimney Rock National Monument and the HD Mountain Roadless AreaThe Colorado State office of the Bureau of Land Management is furthering its interest in industrializing public and private lands surrounding Chimney…

Nov 11 2020

Take Action: Help Pass the CORE Act & the Colorado Wilderness Act!

By sjca Lands Protection, Take Action 4 Comments

Photo: John Fielder Help Secure New Wilderness in Colorado Contact Colorado’s elected representatives to thank them for their strong support of public lands and ask that they do everything in their power to pass the CORE Act and the Colorado…

Nov 10 2020

Breaking: $127 Million in Just Transition Funds for Navajo Nation

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, In the News, Renewable Energy No Comments

Breaking: As coal plants across the Four Corners region shut down, Arizona Public Service will provide a minimum of $127 million to the Navajo Nation over the next 10 years, plus major commitments to buy power from Navajo clean energy…

Nov 06 2020

Colorado Emissions Roadmap a Chance for Cleaner Power

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Nov 06 2020

Breaking: Colorado Votes to Restore Wolves

By sjca In the News, Species No Comments

Colorado voters approved a measure to reintroduce wolves to our state's western wildlands! State wildlife managers will develop and implement a plan for wolf reintroduction, with "paws on the ground," beginning no later than the end of 2023. As SJCA…

Oct 21 2020

Take Action: Hold Tri-State to Higher Carbon Reduction Standards

By sjca Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Take Action No Comments

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Oct 20 2020

Unlawful Public Lands Head Invites Chaos

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

A Montana judge recently ruled the head of the Bureau of Land Management had illegally served as the agency’s director for more than a year. That’s a big deal, seeing as it is the nation’s largest land manager. In Colorado,…

Oct 16 2020

What’s Your Plan?

By sjca Lands Protection, Of Interest, Take Action No Comments

SJCA believes that responsible management of our public lands protects our communities’ heritage, supports healthy wildlife and their habitat, sustains a strong and self-reliant economy, and preserves our quality of life for generations to come. To help our members and…

Sep 30 2020

Waiting for a Verdict

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Sep 25 2020

Will wolves join lynx as recovered species in Colorado?

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Species 2 Comments

Twenty years ago, Colorado wildlife officials restored long-missing lynx to the state’s forests and mountains. It was a joy to watch lynx bound away from their release point at Rio Grande Reservoir and take to their native habitat. Changing societal…

Sep 21 2020

Last Chance: Take Action to Defend Chaco from Oil and Gas Development

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

Despite repeated requests to wait for in-person meetings following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office held only virtual meetings on a resource management plan to approve nearly 3,000 new oil and gas wells and…

Sep 10 2020

TAKE ACTION: Keep LPEA Moving Towards Clean Energy

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Take Action

Keep LPEA’s Exit Charge Case in Colorado LPEA has made huge headway in its fight for cleaner, cheaper power here in Southwest Colorado. But by illegally adding new members to the cooperative “family”, Tri-State qualified for federal regulation – pre-empting…

Sep 08 2020

TAKE ACTION: The Compressor To (And From) Nowhere

By sjca Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

Once again, the HD Mountains face new threats from oil and gas development, this time from a proposal for a massive methane gas compression and processing facility. The proposal for the El Toro facility has numerous flaws, not least of…

Sep 01 2020

Another FERC Curveball

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Aug 29 2020

Protecting the Headwaters of the Animas River: Over 200 Comments Submitted

By sjca Rivers No Comments

The EPA proposed a new mine waste repository near Silverton, as part of their work at the Bonita Peak Superfund Site. We submitted our own SJCA comments on the proposal, and with your help sent in an extra 205 comments…

Aug 26 2020

Take Action to Defend Chaco from Oil and Gas Development

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

Despite repeated requests to wait for in-person meetings following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office is holding virtual meetings on a resource management plan that would approve nearly 3,000 new oil and gas wells…

Aug 21 2020

Defense Spending Bill May Provide Path to Land Conservation

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

As Congress nears the finish line this year, the fate of conservation legislation dealing with a million acres in Colorado is left hanging. The House of Representatives has now twice passed both the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act and…

Jul 29 2020

BREAKING: New Mexico PRC embraces 100% renewable future for Four Corners

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, In the News One Comment

Today, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission unanimously decided to replace San Juan Generating Station power with 100 percent renewable energy when the coal-fired power plant is retired in 2022. This decision marks an extraordinary turning point in the energy…

Jul 24 2020

Colorado PUC Sides With LPEA

By sjca LPEA Spotlight No Comments

Jul 20 2020

Electric Co-ops Closer to Securing Tri-State Exit Fees

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy No Comments

Last week, La Plata Electric Association inched closer to gaining the basic information it has long desired to evaluate whether it makes sense to stay with Tri-State Generation and Transmission as its wholesale electricity supplier or jump ship to potentially…

Jul 09 2020

Court challenge: Feds cut out public on 40,802-acre NM oil and gas leases

By sjca In the News, Oil & Gas No Comments

The Bureau of Land Management recently sold oil and gas drilling leases on nearly 41,000 acres of New Mexico public land- without adequate public participation. Along with our coalition of environmental partners, we filed suit to overturn the lease sale…

Jul 02 2020

Proposed Purgatory Resort Expansion – At What Environmental Cost?

By sjca Lands Protection No Comments

Purgatory has shown an interest in developing the Ice Creek lift pod (at the eastern extent of greater Hermosa Park) area for many years and sought to include it an element of their Master Development Plan (MDP) during its creation…

Jul 02 2020

TAKE ACTION: Stop Purgatory’s Destruction of Lynx Habitat

By sjca In the News, Lands Protection 10 Comments

Purgatory Resort is pushing its expansion dreams by resurrecting the Ice Creek Lift Pod, a regretful proposal that was purposefully dropped from its 2008 Master Development Plan (MDP) due to the concerns of degrading Canada lynx habitat. Unfortunately, Purgatory is…

Jun 30 2020

Tri-State Files First Phase of Resource Plan

By sjca LPEA Spotlight No Comments

Jun 29 2020

We Stand Against Racism

By sjca In the News No Comments

Statement from San Juan Citizens Alliance staff:We are living through a time of unprecedented upheaval, one that leaves us contemplating our role at San Juan Citizens Alliance. First it was our nation’s stumbling response to the coronavirus pandemic and the…

Jun 23 2020

Carbon Capture is an Elusive Dream

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition No Comments

Our region took a major step toward a cleaner energy future recently when New Mexico regulators gave Public Service Co. of New Mexico approval to retire the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station outside Farmington in two years. But alas, it’s…

Jun 12 2020

Key Findings on Gray Wolves Released

By Gary Skiba Of Interest, Species 4 Comments

This November, Colorado residents will vote on Proposition 107. If passed, it will require the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce wolves to the state by the end of 2023. Colorado State University’s Center for Carnivore-Human Coexistence, in…

Jun 11 2020

The Myth of the “Canadian Wolf”

By Gary Skiba Species 11 Comments

Opponents to wolf restoration, whether here in Colorado or Yellowstone, claim that the wolves that would be released are a different species than the wolves that were originally there. Colorado wolf opponents claim that reintroduced wolves would wreak havoc because…

May 31 2020

Race to the PUC

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

May 28 2020

Conservation Groups Seek to Join Defense of Colorado Air Quality Protections

By sjca In the News, Oil & Gas No Comments

Last December, Colorado required oil and gas companies to significantly reduce their emissions- a crucial step needed to improve public health and put the state on track towards its carbon reduction goals. Even though the public strongly supports the new…

May 28 2020

Gearing up for Greenhouse Gas Reductions in Colorado

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Last winter, Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously to adopt new emissions rules for the oil and gas industry. Now, the AQCC is working with the Energy Office to implement the greenhouse gas reduction goals in House Bill…

May 20 2020

Chaco Drilling Plans Advance Despite Pandemic

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas No Comments

While much of the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, it’s full speed ahead at the Department of Interior approving oil and gas development projects. One of the most contentious is a proposal for over 3,000 new oil and gas…

May 14 2020

TAKE ACTION: Stand up to Protect the HD Mountains

By sjca Lands Protection, Oil & Gas 2 Comments

The HDs are under siege. Again. The San Juan National Forest is proposing to approve an 8.6-mile natural gas pipeline that cuts across a portion of the HD Mountains Roadless Area. In doing so, the Forest Service intends to simply…

May 08 2020

Take Action to Defend Chaco – Ask BLM to Act Humanely

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy 14 Comments

After almost a decade of plodding analysis, the Bureau of Land Management’s Farmington Field Office is attempting to rush through a plan to authorize thousands more oil and gas wells surging towards Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Your voice is…

May 05 2020

The HD’s – “Just” Quiet, Beauty and Wildlife Habitat

By sjca Lands Protection, Oil & Gas 3 Comments

It wasn’t the several contiguous weeks of working from my home “office” that motivated me to journey to the HD Mountains (between Bayfield and Chimney Rock National Monument); rather it was the need to see firsthand yet another set of…

Apr 29 2020

PRC Delay of San Juan Coal Plant’s Replacement Decision is Unfortunate and Risky

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, In the News No Comments

Photo: EcoFlight The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) delayed the approval of two solar and battery projects that would partially replace the electricity from San Juan Generating Station. These projects, which had record-breaking low prices, would have brought jobs…

Apr 27 2020

As Coal-Fire Power Plants Close, Our Skies are Clearing

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy No Comments

One of the noticeable, and remarkable, changes in recent years has been the dramatic improvement in visibility and air pollution in the Four Corners. Longer-term residents routinely comment on the increased clarity and the sharper vistas of distant ranges like…

Apr 27 2020

New Mexico Still in Need of a Strong Methane Rule

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

On January 29, 2019, Governor Lujan Grisham passed Executive Order 2019-003 with the goal of addressing climate change and energy waste prevention- a breakthrough document for New Mexico. The “Background and Purpose” of the Executive Order was: "To further New…

Apr 17 2020

Conservation Matters Now More Than Ever

By sjca Coal, Lands Protection, Of Interest, Renewable Energy No Comments

By Diana Vernazza Here in Southwest Colorado, the weather is beginning to turn warmer, the rivers are rising and trees slowly leafing out. The first butterflies of the season are looking for nectar, and the birds are noisily building nests.…

Apr 15 2020

Enchant’s Carbon Capture Scheme Heads Back to the Drawing Board

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

If you are having troubles following the San Juan Generating Station carbon capture project being proposed by the City of Farmington and Enchant Energy, you are not alone. In fact, Enchant Energy itself seems to be having a hard time…

Apr 10 2020

Carbon Capture Costs Us More than the Millions in Taxpayer Dollars

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy One Comment

Our local elected officials have been chasing Enchant Energy’s promises of a resuscitated coal industry for roughly a year and a half now. This has cost the City over a million dollars in attorney fees, but the implications of this…

Apr 10 2020

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part V: The Right Thing to Do

By sjca Lands Protection, Species No Comments

Photo: National Park Service In our original blog, ‘Why Restore Wolves to Colorado, we briefly discussed the top five reasons wolves should be reintroduced to the state. Now, we’re digging deeper into each of those arguments. You can also check…

Apr 01 2020

San Juan Generating Station cleared for abandonment by PRC

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition No Comments

Today the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) approved the abandonment of San Juan Generating Station, a ruling long in the works after months of painful legal back-and-forth. This decision paves the way for Public Service Company of New Mexico…

Mar 20 2020

LPEA Drives Statewide Policy Change

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Renewable Energy No Comments

The transformation in Colorado’s energy landscape over the past year is nothing short of breathtaking. A good part of that transformation owes to the leadership of La Plata Electric Association. Who might have imagined a year ago that LPEA would…

Mar 09 2020

Deadline March 10th For Local Input on Rollback of Environmental Law

By sjca In the News, Of Interest No Comments

Breaking: The Trump Administration has proposed changes that would rollback critical elements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a bedrock environmental law. NEPA is fundamental to protecting public health, safety, and our environment, and the vast majority of Western…

Feb 26 2020

Unsolved Problems

By sjca Energy Transition, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Feb 18 2020

Take Action: Protect Nonmotorized Silverton Trails

By sjca Lands Protection 14 Comments

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a new plan for trails around Silverton that sacrifices backcountry quiet and wildlife viewing in favor of more motorized trail use. Most dramatically, BLM wants to open an additional motorcycle route through…

Feb 14 2020

Legislation Ensures Lasting Conservation

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: John Fielder Last week, the Bureau of Land Management finalized plans to open millions of acres of southern Utah to energy development, oil and gas drilling, coal mining and a variety of other extraction activities. These were the…

Jan 29 2020

Energy Transition Act Applies to San Juan Generating Station Abandonment

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, In the News No Comments

Breaking: Today the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the Energy Transition Act must apply to Public Service Co. of New Mexico’s (PNM) abandonment of its remaining interest in the San Juan Generating Station. This decision ensures that key funding will be…

Jan 28 2020

Road, Bridges Threaten Dolores River Canyon

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Conservationists pursue protective designations like wilderness or wild and scenic rivers to help ensure the undeveloped character of cherished places is guaranteed into the future. It’s a bulwark against the creeping industrialization that often threatens to consume the quiet valleys…

Jan 24 2020

Tri-State Reveals New Energy Plan

By sjca Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Jan 16 2020

New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission Adopts Oil and Gas Enforcement Rules

By sjca In the News, Oil & Gas No Comments

Today the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission unanimously adopted new enforcement rules for the oil and gas industry. The new protections will protect New Mexico's air, land and water, as well as community health. Read the full press release for…

Jan 16 2020

Tri-State Announces Responsible Energy Plan

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

Photo: WildEarth Guardians Last week, Tri-State announced it intended to close its Colorado and New Mexico coal generation assets ahead of schedule. This week Tri-State made a second announcement on its Responsible Energy Plan. Notably, Tri-State will: Strive for 100%…

Jan 09 2020

Tri-State Announces Coal Retirements But Flaws Remain In Energy Plan

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

Today Tri-State announced the first part of their long-awaited Responsible Energy Plan, which described their intention to close two coal plants and one coal mine ahead of schedule. While the plan shows that Tri-State is finally starting to shift their…

Jan 08 2020

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part IV: Intentional Reintroduction Allows Flexibility

By sjca Lands Protection, Species 2 Comments

Photo: National Park Service In our original blog, ‘Why Restore Wolves to Colorado,’ we briefly discussed the top five reasons wolves should be reintroduced to the state. Now, we’re digging deeper into each of those arguments. You can also check…

Dec 23 2019

Advocacy Groups Celebrate Key Step Towards Climate Goals and Cleaner Air

By sjca Energy Transition, In the News, Oil & Gas No Comments

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted unanimously on new methane protections on the oil and gas industry that prioritize public health and the environment. These new regulations will cut methane emissions, improve air quality, and help Colorado meet…

Dec 19 2019

A Recap of LPEA’s Year

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Nov 26 2019

LPEA Files With PUC for Just Exit Charge

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Nov 20 2019

House Natural Resources Committee Passes Colorado Wilderness Act

By sjca Lands Protection No Comments

Breaking: The House Natural Resource Committee passed the Colorado Wilderness Act! This bill would advance protections sorely needed to safeguard some of Colorado's most breathtaking wild areas, like the lower Dolores river area. The Act is in alignment with recent polling…

Nov 17 2019

Colorado plans to create new methane rules

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

In 2014, our region gained notoriety as the nation’s methane hotspot. Researchers at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noticed via satellite measurements a plume of methane over the Four Corners that dwarfed anywhere else in the country.…

Nov 12 2019

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part III: The Public Wants It

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species One Comment

Nov 08 2019

Bighorn Sheep: An Introduction

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species No Comments

Background Bighorn sheep are an iconic species of the American West. They call some of our country’s most rugged and remote landscapes home. Their cultural, ecological, aesthetic and economic value has made bighorn sheep a vital part of North American…

Nov 07 2019

A local voice on the Energy Transition Act

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition No Comments

New Mexico and the Four Corners is experiencing a transition that, far from being unique, is mirrored in coal regions across the nation. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the market reality is that coal is being left behind by…

Oct 31 2019

CORE Act Passes the House!

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Rivers, Species No Comments

We know that meaningful and permanent public lands protections take time. Lots of time. Lots of stakeholders are at the table and compromises are hashed out over years, not weeks. Often times such efforts are framed by politicians as being…

Oct 31 2019

House Passes Chaco Protection Bill

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Is it everything we hope for? No, but it is undoubtedly a significant step forward. We'll continue to use all the tools we have to fight for permanent protections in the region. Check out the full press release below with…

Oct 25 2019

Tri-State’s FERC Application Denied

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Oct 25 2019

Western Slope Voters Support CORE Act

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jack Brauer Really, it isn't a surprise to most of us that the majority of Western Slope voters support our public lands and want them protected. For those who are skeptical, this recent poll clearly shows widespread support for…

Oct 20 2019

San Juan Mountains legislation faces vote in U.S. House

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

This week marks the 10th anniversary of long-simmering efforts to obtain added wilderness protections for the high ranges of the San Juan Mountains. Back in 2009, then Rep. John Salazar first introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, legislation aimed…

Oct 11 2019

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part II: Colorado is the Missing Link

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species One Comment

Photo: Wikimedia Commons In our original blog, ‘Why Restore Wolves to Colorado,’ we briefly discussed the top five reasons wolves should be reintroduced to the state. Now, we’re digging deeper into each of those arguments. You can also check out Part…

Sep 20 2019

America’s environmental safety net unravels

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Species 2 Comments

The summer brought a whirlwind of change to America’s bedrock environmental laws, or at least the rules that implement those laws. The Trump administration has made no secret of its disdain for environmental rules that might impede the interests of…

Sep 11 2019

Opportunities for Change

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Sep 11 2019

Take Action: Stand Up For Clean Energy In Colorado

By sjca Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy 3 Comments

A Rulemaking to Hold Tri-State Accountable The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is holding a rulemaking process through October 15th about Tri-State's Electric Resource Plan (ERP), which will fundamentally impact co-op customers for years to come. The ERP is a long-term…

Sep 03 2019

The Methane Hotspot Isn’t Just Going to Disappear

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Carlan Tapp Why should we care about methane, exactly? Remember that methane hotspot floating over the Four Corners region? Explosive growth in the oil and gas industry have contributed to some of the highest levels of methane emissions…

Aug 30 2019

We’re Asking the Courts to Weigh in on Application of the Energy Transition Act

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy No Comments

New Mexico recently passed a landmark energy transition bill known as the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The bill was groundbreaking not just for setting an aggressive renewable portfolio standard, but also for creating funding to ensure a just transition for…

Aug 29 2019

EPA To Rollback Critical Methane Regulations

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Breaking: The Environmental Protection Agency, under the Trump administration, just announced that they intend to “sharply curtail” methane regulations. This rollback will keep vital federal oversight away from the vast majority of the nation’s hundreds of thousands of oil and…

Aug 28 2019

Interventions and Rulemakings for Tri-State

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Aug 23 2019

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado Part I: Ecology

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species One Comment

In our previous blog, ‘Why Restore Wolves to Colorado,’ we briefly discussed the top five reasons wolves should be reintroduced to the state. In this and future blogs, we’re digging deeper into each of those arguments. Blogs by Gary Skiba,…

Aug 20 2019

A New Era for Colorado Oil and Gas

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

This April, SB 19-181 passed through the Colorado Legislature and was signed into law, fundamentally altering the landscape of Colorado oil and gas operations. The bill reforms oil and gas law and charges the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission…

Aug 17 2019

Wildlife corridors need protection

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Species No Comments

As Colorado fills up with people and our forests evolve in response to a changing climate, what happens to our renowned wildlife? Can we make space for migrating game herds and dispersing species? With more traffic, U.S. Highway 160 and…

Aug 15 2019

No Double-Density Drilling in the Greater Chaco Region

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

After almost a year fighting a proposal by Hilcorp Energy Company to double its gas wells, we are celebrating the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission's (OCC) decision restrict new development in northwest New Mexico. Along with our partners, we opposed…

Aug 01 2019

Back to court: Trump admin still fracking Greater Chaco, forcing new lawsuit

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

We've been working to protect Greater Chaco from rampant and unchecked oil and gas development for over a decade. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has long failed to conduct any sort of meaningful tribal consultations or robust environmental or cultural resource…

Jul 25 2019

Tensions Rise with Big Shifts at Tri-State

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy 2 Comments

Jul 23 2019

It’s time for robust methane regulations in New Mexico

By sjca Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

In New Mexico, oil and gas operations release more than 1 million metric tons of methane every year into the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, this has the same short-term impacts as 22 coal-fired power plants or 28…

Jul 20 2019

Energy dominance comes to Colorado

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas, Species No Comments

Conservation advocates routinely harp on the single-minded focus of the Trump administration exhorting resource exploitation on our public lands. In case that just sounds like hyperbole, recent real-life examples help illustrate the reality of the Department of Interior’s energy dominance…

Jul 17 2019

The False Hope of Carbon Capture

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition No Comments

For months the City of Farmington has been scheming with a small two-person outfit to keep San Juan Generating Station (SJGS) open past the 2022 closure date agreed upon by all other owners. Their plan is to install expensive Carbon…

Jul 11 2019

Groups Challenge BLM’s Response to Chaco Court Ruling

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Wildearth Guardians Even a court ruling doesn't seem to deter the Bureau of Land Management in Farmington. They are determined to push through industry wish lists, undermining environmental review, public input, and even the courts. We'll continue calling them…

Jun 27 2019

Tri-State Seeks FERC Regulation

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

Jun 16 2019

Our energy supply system is transforming

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

In just a few weeks, Public Service Co. of New Mexico will initiate the process to officially retire the San Juan Generating Station, the 1,600-megawatt, coal-fired behemoth outside Farmington that once burned coal day and night to generate electricity. It’s…

Jun 13 2019

Video About Us!

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Forest Health, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Rivers 7 Comments

We made a video about who we are and what we do! A big thanks to Sean Owen of No Special Abilities Productions for making this happen. Of course, it's impossible to get everything we do into a short...

Jun 11 2019

Forest Service Rescinds Approval of Chainsaws in Wilderness!

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Tom Sykes The Forest Service has rescinded its approval to use chainsaws in Weminuche and South San Juan Wildernesses! We were surprised last month to hear about Regional Forester's illegal approval to use motorized equipment in the form of…

Jun 10 2019

Energy Transition Act Invests in Our Local Communities

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy One Comment

The Four Corners finds itself in an unprecedented economic landscape and elected officials are choosing to expend valuable time, resources and money pointing fingers and aggressively combatting the entities working to make sure our communities don’t get left behind. The…

Jun 04 2019

Chain Saws in Wilderness Update

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: National Park Service Chain Saws in Wilderness Update June 4th, 2019 Background On May 7th the Forest Service unexpectedly, and without any public notice or input, announced it would allow chain saws in the Weminuche and South San Juan…

Jun 03 2019

Why Restore Wolves to Colorado?

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species 10 Comments

Photo: Fish and Wildlife Service Wolves have long stirred strong emotions in this country and still do. The idea of bringing wolves back to Colorado generates passionate support as well as die-hard opposition. Yet from an ecological standpoint, wolves belong…

May 30 2019

Bernhardt’s Promise to Protect Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Rob Zeigler It's certainly promising, if not surprising, that Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is making promises to protect Greater Chaco. We're grateful to Senator Heinrich for playing a key role in orchestrating Bernhardt's visit to Chaco Cultural…

May 29 2019

New Beginnings at LPEA

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

May 28 2019

Challenging the Forest Service (again) over Village at Wolf Creek

By sjca Lands Protection, Species, Wolf Creek 2 Comments

Clean off those 'No Pillage' bumperstickers*, because here we go again. If you've lived in the area for long, you know the Village has a decades-long history. The short story is that a billionaire from Texas has long wanted to…

May 22 2019

We’re Challenging the Forest Service on Secretive Approval of Chainsaws in Wilderness

By Erika Brown Lands Protection One Comment

Below is our press release detailing our arguments against the Forest Service's recent secretive approval allowing for chainsaws to be used in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wildernesses starting June 1. We're asking the court to reverse the decision.…

May 19 2019

Wilderness deserves restraint, humility

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Forest Health, Lands Protection No Comments

The Forest Service’s recent decision to approve using chain saws to cut out downed trees in wilderness areas might strike some as no big deal. But for longtime advocates for the wilderness concept generally, and supporters of the Weminuche and…

May 17 2019

In Wake of Court Ruling, Coalition Calls for Moratorium on Fracking in Greater Chaco Region

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Robert Zeigler Earlier this month a federal appeals court granted Greater Chaco a a long-overdue reprieve from unchecked fracking in response to a lawsuit we filed with our partners. The courts decision directly overturned a couple dozen permits, but we…

May 07 2019

Greater Chaco Region Wins Reprieve From Fracking

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas 3 Comments

This is great news! Momentum in our decade-long effort to protect Greater Chaco from unbridled (and illegal) oil and gas development is finally resulting in real gains. Back in 2015, along with our partners, we filed a lawsuit against the…

May 01 2019

Signing NM Land Office Chaco Executive Order

Greater Chaco: Applause for New State Land Office Planning Process

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Real progress is being made toward protecting Greater Chaco! Last month a Congressional visit welcomed lawmakers to the region to learn about the impacts of oil and gas development and the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act was re-introduced. At the…

Apr 29 2019

Power Supply Committee Gives Recommendations

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

Apr 21 2019

New Mexico moves to protect Chaco Canyon from drilling

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas No Comments

Anyone who has traveled the U.S. Highway 550 corridor to Albuquerque recently knows for themselves the extent of greatly expanded drilling activity. Advances in fracking technology have unlocked access to oil deposits tightly trapped in the Mancos and Gallup shale…

Apr 18 2019

Greater Chaco Coalition responds to Congressional Visit on Oil and Gas Impacts

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas No Comments

We were thrilled to welcome members of Congress to Chaco to experience the incredible landscape, learn about the history, and hear from impacted community members firsthand. We are confident they now have a deeper understanding of the issues here and…

Apr 18 2019

Western Colorado Deserves Clean Air Too!

By Mark Pearson Oil & Gas No Comments

This month, the Colorado legislature passed landmark oil and gas reform legislation that directs the state to adopt next generation methane standards and expand air quality protections statewide. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Control Division will hold a public hearing…

Apr 16 2019

Congress Investigates Tri-State for Role in Secretive Lobbying Group

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Apr 09 2019

Groups Applaud Strengthened Bill to Protect Greater Chaco Landscape

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas No Comments

More than 92% of Greater Chaco has already been leased. Over the last several years, this leasing has moved forward despite the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) not having a plan in place to protect modern native communities, their history,…

Apr 01 2019

Are we really Better Together?

By sjca LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Mar 28 2019

New Mexicans Protest New Fracking in Greater Chaco and Greater Carlsbad

By sjca Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

“This lease sale is just another example of the BLM putting the cart before the horse. We’ve been waiting for years for the BLM to complete its Resource Management Plans for the Greater Chaco. But the agency continues to allow…

Mar 19 2019

Colorado Bill Aims to Modernize Regulation of Oil and Gas

By Mark Pearson Oil & Gas One Comment

Colorado is finally trying to revamp the regulation of oil and gas development for the 21st century. And it's long overdue. For decades, Colorado's official charge to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission was to "foster" oil and…

Mar 18 2019

Colorado Passes Landmark Mining Reform Bill!

By sjca Gold King Mine, Of Interest, Rivers No Comments

This is a big step forward for protecting the rivers and taxpayer dollars in Colorado! While the federal 1872 Mining Law is still in desperate need of reform, this improvement for Colorado provides long overdue protections for our water resources…

Mar 18 2019

Decisions loom about local electric supply

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy 2 Comments

Spring is in the air, and with it comes potentially big changes for our electric power supply. Leadership changes abound at both our local rural electric cooperative, La Plata Electric Association, and its wholesale electric supplier, Tri-State Generating and Transmission.…

Mar 13 2019

New Mexico Passes Historic Clean Energy Bill!

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

New Mexico just passed one of the most progressive energy transition bills in the country! The Energy Transition Act (ETA), which just passed the house and now heads to the Governor's desk, paves the way for a just transition to…

Mar 12 2019

Senator’s filibuster over Energy Transition Act a stunt

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Renewable Energy No Comments

I watched the nearly four-hour filibuster from Senator Bill Sharer on the Energy Transition Act from my home in Farmington on Wednesday. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 32-9, with strong bipartisan support. This stunt by Senator Sharer actually provides a window…

Mar 04 2019

Opinion: Back the Energy Transition Act

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

San Juan Citizens Alliance is actively working to move New Mexico forward to a sustainable energy economy. We believe an important step towards this desired future, especially for us in Northwestern New Mexico, is the passage of Senate Bill 489,…

Feb 28 2019

LPEA is listening to you

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Feb 28 2019

Rio Grande National Forest Again Sides with Developer in Wolf Creek Access Issue

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species, Wolf Creek No Comments

Photo: Alex Pullen OK, here we go again. Many of you joined us in submitting protests this last fall on the draft decision to provide road access to the Village. And for good reason. It's not surprising they went ahead and…

Feb 26 2019

New Mexico Organizations Laud Senate Conservation Committee’s Approval of Landmark Clean Energy Legislation

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

The Energy Transition Act will reduce electricity costs for New Mexicans, leverage affordable clean energy, and provide economic relief to the Four Corners. Today, a coalition of New Mexico labor, community, and environmental organizations celebrated the passage by the…

Feb 20 2019

Stephanie Richards Garcia speaking at NM Public Lands Rally

Federal, State, Tribal Leaders and Allies Call for Protection From Fracking

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

It is completely indefensible to continue to lease parcels in Greater Chaco to oil and gas without having a plan in place to ensure protections for air, water, public health, and the rich history embedded in the landscape. TheBureau of…

Feb 17 2019

Land conservation overcomes congressional gridlock

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Rivers, Species No Comments

Photo: Jason Hatfield Fans of Utah’s spectacular redrock country can savor congressional action this week that advanced protections for a million acres of the incomparable San Rafael Swell, and one of the Colorado Plateau’s longest wild river segments through Desolation…

Feb 12 2019

Take Action: Speak Out Against Lease Sale in Greater Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas 36 Comments

It's time to speak out in defense of Greater Chaco again. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington and Rio Puerco field offices in northwestern New Mexico continue to allow oil and gas companies to frack without a plan in…

Feb 07 2019

Clean Energy Bill Introduced to Reduce Electricity Costs, and Provide Economic Relief to San Juan County Workers

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

Woot woot! A new Governor in New Mexico along with a host of bold, progressive, new State House representatives, looking to the future and creating opportunities. We're hopeful we can make big strides in clean energy, a just transition for…

Feb 01 2019

Keep moving Four Corners forward with renewable energy

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy One Comment

After almost 6 years spent outside of Farmington and San Juan County, it is great to be back in the community I grew up in and will always call home. It is refreshing to experience the kindness I remember being…

Jan 25 2019

CORE Act Gives San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act Another Chance!

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jack Brauer Senator Bennet and Representative Neguse are breathiing new life into the decade-long campaign to permanently protect iconic, yet vulnerable, alpine landscapes in the San Juan Mountains. Next week, they're introducing a new bill, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation &…

Jan 22 2019

LPEA Sets Carbon Reduction Goal

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy 2 Comments

Jan 19 2019

New Mexico grapples with air pollutants

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

We who live in these parts sometimes call it the Four Corners, other times the San Juan Basin or even the Colorado Plateau. It’s reflective of the geographic flexibility of our home region, one that water and air easily transcends.…

Jan 17 2019

Call for Stronger Air Quality Rules for Oil and Gas Development in Colorado

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

While Colorado has been a national leader in establishing state-wide methane rules to limit waste, a task force is calling for more to be done to curb ozone pollution stemming from the oil and gas industry. With many counties, particularly…

Jan 08 2019

NM Oil Conservation Commission to Rehear Double Drilling Rule Change

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Victory! Excellent decision today putting the public back into decisions about our public lands! The New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission took all of 5 minutes to grant a re-hearing on the rule allowing for double drilling in Rio Arriba and…

Jan 08 2019

Public Deserves Input on Double Drilling Under Methane Hot Spot, Near Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Elections matter. That fact is being clearly made in New Mexico, where the public voted in a new administration with vastly different values when it comes to our public lands, among other things. We are thrilled that the new administration…

Dec 20 2018

Tri-State in Trouble

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

This blog series covers the monthly La Plata Electric Association (LPEA)* Board of Directors meetings. We’re tracking the board for transparency and accountability, as well as to stay current on their renewable energy initiatives. Find past and future spotlights here. Get…

Dec 15 2018

Change Confronts Rural Electric Co-ops

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Green Business, Renewable Energy No Comments

Photo: Wildearth Guardians, Flickr The comedian Lily Tomlin used to have a favorite shtick where she played Ernestine, the snorting, smirking phone operator. She would end her bit with the line, “We don’t care, we don’t have to, we’re the…

Dec 12 2018

Future home of would-be Village at Wolf Creek

Conservation Groups Cheer Latest Court Decision Rejecting Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species, Wolf Creek No Comments

Photo: Alex Pullen, Future home of would-be Village at Wolf Creek Good News! You probably aren't new to this decades-long controversy over the proposed Village at Wolf Creek development. And even so, it can be hard to follow all the…

Dec 05 2018

Greater Chaco Advocates Rally at BLM to Protest Lease Sale

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: WildEarth Guardians We've been working to protect the Greater Chaco region from rampant and largely uncontrolled drilling for over ten years. Sadly, the need for protections is only increasing. Our partners organized a rally of over 200 people to…

Nov 30 2018

LPEA hires consultants to research energy supply options

By sjca Climate Change, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

Nov 28 2018

Join the discussion – Bonita Peak Community Advisory Group

By sjca Of Interest, Rivers No Comments

It’s been over two years since the designation of the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site above Silverton, CO, and questions remain as to the severity and extent of more than a century of hard-rock mining pollution in the upper…

Nov 18 2018

Election moves energy policy to the forefront

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

Photo: US Department of Energy, Flickr With the midterm elections behind us, it’s worth pondering what the outcome means for the environment next year. One can expect significant action in Colorado and New Mexico in two areas where states have…

Nov 15 2018

Protecting Wildlife and Quiet Use on San Juan National Forest

By Erika Brown Forest Health, Lands Protection, Species No Comments

Photo: Wikipedia Commons We've been advocating for wildlife, quiet use and watershed protections within the Rico West Dolores Travel Management Plan for a decade. Many of you have joined us in demanding that the region be managed for the those…

Oct 29 2018

aerial view of oil and gas in New Mexico

The truth about double drilling

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas One Comment

Photo: Ecoflight As a longtime resident of Farmington, where the impacts of oil and gas are felt daily, I am writing to set the record straight concerning a double drilling rule change that Houston-based Hilcorp Energy is proposing before the…

Oct 21 2018

Energy dominance comes to national forests

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Forest Health, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

The Trump administration unabashedly promotes energy dominance above all else on America’s public lands. But even knowing that, it’s hard not to be astonished by the latest onslaught to prioritize oil and gas development on our national forests. We are…

Oct 15 2018

SJCA Shines Light on Proposal to Double Drilling Density

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas 2 Comments

Hilcorp tried to sneak through a rule change that would double the drilling density in San Juan and Rio Arriba Counties in New Mexico - without public input or analysis of impacts. You may have heard we've been making a…

Oct 01 2018

SJCA & Broad Coalition Challenges BLM Gutting the Methane Rule

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Again? Yes, again. It's hard to keep track how many times and in how many different ways this administration has attempted to gut the two common-sense methane rules established under the Obama Administration. Secretary Zinke has tried, and failed, twice…

Sep 27 2018

TAKE ACTION: Call Senator Gardner!

By Erika Brown Forest Health, Lands Protection, Rivers, Species One Comment

Recently, Senator Gardner told a group gathering in Norwood, Colorado that he wouldn't stand in the way of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act moving forward. We're looking to him now to make to good on his commitment to move…

Sep 23 2018

Will APS Work With NM Stakeholders?

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

The era of coal is over. We must demand a just transition for impacted families and communities now. APS, having profited billions from the hardworking families and communities of northwestern New Mexico, has a responsibility to help fund that transition.…

Sep 17 2018

You did it! LPEA board launches investigation of energy supply options

By sjca LPEA Spotlight No Comments

Sep 15 2018

Fires and droughts should set off alarm bells

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Forest Health, Lands Protection, Renewable Energy, Rivers No Comments

Our beloved Animas River has taken a shellacking the past few years, the most recent insults a combination of record low flows and wildfire induced mudslides. The Animas might be the blaring alarm bell for our society’s failure to act…

Sep 11 2018

EPA: Oil and Gas Wells Can Keep on Polluting and Wasting Methane

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

Today, while government leaders convene from across the world at the Global Climate Action Summit, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released their plan to weaken critical methane pollution protections. Last summer we went to D.C. to comment on the…

Aug 23 2018

Governments, Groups Demand Public Hearings on New Mexico Oil and Gas Sale Call on BLM for Greater Transparency and Accountability for Fracking Greater Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Rob Zeigler Last spring, Secretary Zinke instructed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to defer a lease sale in the Greater Chaco region due to a need for "more study." This December, they plan to auction those same parcels…

Aug 18 2018

Max density rendering of Village at Wolf Creek

The Village at Wolf Creek staggers onward

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Species, Wolf Creek No Comments

Are we doomed to the zombie Village at Wolf Creek endlessly stalking the San Juan Mountains? No matter how many times apparently dead, it seemingly staggers back to life, lurching with a blank gaze and lifeless arms in its 30-year-long…

Jul 25 2018

Zinke Proposes More Fracking in Greater Chaco, Despite Need for More Analysis

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas One Comment

Zinke's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a lease sale in Greater Chaco this December, despite failing to conduct tribal consultations they deemed necessary when cancelling the much smaller March 2018 lease in the region. Along with our partners,…

Jul 21 2018

New leadership at EPA, same rollbacks

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, Forest Health, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Rivers, Species No Comments

Photo: Wikipedia Commons By the time Scott Pruitt resigned as the Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator, he was the poster child for bungling personal entitlement. As Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa put it, Pruitt was the swampiest of the Washington,…

Jul 21 2018

Economic Future of Four Corners is in Our Hands

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal No Comments

Photo: Ecoflight Northwestern New Mexico is at a crossroads. Like many communities throughout history, the foundation of our economy is based on a soon-to-be outdated industry. We can choose to become victims of change and progress or we can choose…

Jul 20 2018

Forest Service Tries to Circumvent Court Ruling to Green Light Controversial Village at Wolf Creek

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Wolf Creek 3 Comments

This. Is. Crazy. The developers of the would-be Village at Wolf Creek will stop at nothing. We know that. But we really do expect the Forest Service to manage public lands in the public interest and not cave to the…

Jul 20 2018

Tears and Transition: We’re Hiring!

By Erika Brown Careers, Climate Change, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy One Comment

Photo: Rob Zeigler There have been a lot of tears in the office lately. And it’s not because the Animas is running the color of charcoal, massacring our already vulnerable native fish populations. And it’s not because a billionaire developer…

Jul 03 2018

Colorado County and Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration Again Over Southwest Colorado Oil and Gas Leases

By sjca Oil & Gas One Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2018 Colorado County and Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration Again Over Southwest Colorado Oil and Gas Leases San Miguel County, Rocky Mountain Wild, the San Juan Citizens’ Alliance, and Conservation Colorado filed another lawsuit against…

Jun 21 2018

Photo of post 416 fire burn area near Hermosa

416 Fire Blog: What We Know

By sjca Climate Change, Forest Health, Lands Protection 21 Comments

Big Picture As we breathe a collective sigh of relief after the prolonged and mostly gentle rains that calmed the fire and cleansed the air over June 16-17, we can begin to assess the 416 wildfire from a couple steps…

Jun 16 2018

For 50 years, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves waterways

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Rivers No Comments

Fifty years ago, Congress passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. It was a counterpoint to the West’s flurry of dam-building in the 1950s and 1960s that saw dams erected across many of the region’s rivers. The mighty rivers of…

Jun 16 2018

Court decision prevents unstudied fracking in Santa Fe National Forest

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas No Comments

Two years ago, we and our partners challenged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the leasing of 20,000 acres in the Santa Fe National Forest to oil and gas drilling. At that point, the BLM hadn't (and still hasn't)…

Jun 11 2018

After pressure, New Mexico oil and gas company withdraws attempt to avoid regulations, public input

By sjca Oil & Gas One Comment

In mid-May, we were approached by long time rancher, environmental advocate, and San Juan Citizens Alliance member, Don Schreiber, who discovered that Hilcorp Energy Company was trying to get exemptions from laws that restrict the number of wells they can…

Jun 07 2018

Developers attempt another end run around public on Village at Wolf Creek

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Wolf Creek One Comment

Their tactics no longer surprise us, but they do still get us fired up! We recently discovered that the would-be developers of the Village at Wolf Creek, despite losing a sweeping court case on the issue last spring, sent a…

May 23 2018

A new year at LPEA

By sjca Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

May 23 2018

Image of ruins at Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Udall, Heinrich introduce legislation to codify no-drilling buffer zone around Chaco

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Oil & Gas One Comment

As most of you know, the Alliance has been working for over a decade to secure greater protections for Greater Chaco - it's water, air, cultural resources and the health and safety of native communities living there today. We have…

May 19 2018

Photo of wildflowers in Ice Lake Basin by Jason Hatfield

San Juan Wilderness Act strategically protects mountains’ beauty

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jason Hatfield With spring full bore upon us, it’s hard not to cast an envious eye toward the high country and start daydreaming about alpine wildflower hikes. One favorite destination for many is Ice Lake Basin outside Silverton, one…

May 11 2018

Forest Service Fails to Appeal Wolf Creek Decision

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species, Wolf Creek No Comments

Photo: Alex Pullen Wow, we weren't really expecting this. We've been fighting the proposed Village at Wolf Creek for well over a decade now. As you likely know, in order to develop the 8,000-person city atop Wolf Creek Pass, the developers…

Apr 30 2018

Public Defends BLM Methane Rule, Again

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

The road for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) methane waste rule has been long and winding, and unfortunately we’re not at the end. Last week, however, we threw a big wrench in Secretary Zinke’s never-ending attempts to rollback this…

Apr 27 2018

Did you get your LPEA ballot?

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

Around 800 ballots were not delivered on time. If you didn't receive yours (or if you threw it away), call LPEA immediately. LPEA: (970) 247-5786 Did you vote yet?! If you buy electricity from LPEA, your ballot should have arrived in…

Apr 21 2018

LPEA board vote hinges on vision for power supply

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column No Comments

This year’s La Plata Electric Association board election is a pivotal referendum on the future of our electric supply. Are co-op members happy with the status quo, being joined at the hip for the next 32 years to Tri-State Generation…

Apr 20 2018

Photo of folks camping at Ice Lakes by Jason Hatfield

Senator Bennet Introduces San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act

By Erika Brown Lands Protection No Comments

Photo: Jason Hatfield We're thrilled to announce that Senator Bennet has introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, a bill born from years of diverse stakeholder engagement to protect vulnerable high country regions of the San Juan Mountains. The bill,…

Apr 12 2018

Renewable Randy and the Tri-State Façade

By sjca LPEA Spotlight No Comments

Apr 09 2018

BIG WIN: State Water Court Upholds Instream Flow for the Dolores

By Erika Brown Rivers No Comments

We're celebrating! The Colorado state water court has upheld the instream water right instituted by the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the Dolores River in 2015. The standard was primarily intended to protect three struggling native fish populations, but will…

Apr 04 2018

Picture of sign to Counselor Chapter House

Court Finds Fracking Approvals in Greater Chaco Violate Cultural Protections

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas No Comments

Over the past weekend, we had a partial win in our long fight to protect Chaco from unfettered oil and gas development. While the judge rejected our claim that the Bureau of Land Management violated the National Environmental Protection Act…

Mar 20 2018

Support HB 18-1301: Safeguarding Water Quality During Hardrock Mining Reclamation

By sjca Gold King Mine, Of Interest, Rivers No Comments

Animas River after the Gold King Mine Spill, August 2015. Photo by Kathy Myrick. "The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land." - Luna Leopold More than two years after…

Mar 17 2018

Interior Department hears resistance to energy leases

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas No Comments

Five years versus five days. That succinctly describes the different weights accorded to constituents raising objections to expanded oil and gas leasing in landscapes with special circumstances. As the Trump administration attempts to accelerate energy development through its self-described energy…

Mar 11 2018

Photo of San Juan Generating Station with gas pump

Progress is being made on the Four Corners area

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy No Comments

Photo: Ted Wood Storey Group In December and January, intense negotiations were ongoing over a Public Service Company of New Mexico-backed bill relating to the closure of the San Juan Generating Station, the coal-fired power plant near Farmington. This piece…

Mar 02 2018

BREAKING: Zinke cancels Chaco lease sale!

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Last night, we heard news we didn’t dare hope for: Secretary Zinke canceled next week’s oil and gas lease sale in Greater Chaco. This is because of you. You and thousands of others who spoke up and said drilling without a…

Feb 28 2018

The questions between the statements

By sjca LPEA Spotlight 2 Comments

Feb 21 2018

LPEA approves energy supply review subcommittee

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy No Comments

Feb 18 2018

La Plata Electric Association grapples with era of change

By Mark Pearson Climate Change, Coal, Durango Herald Column, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

It’s a challenging time for La Plata Electric Association. The electric utility world is undergoing a classic technology disruption, where rapid advances threaten to upend decades-old business models. LPEA is locked into a contract for the next 30 years with…

Feb 15 2018

LPEA to vote on future of long-term energy supply review

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight 7 Comments

Feb 13 2018

Secretary Zinke Proposes to Gut the BLM Methane Rule

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

After hundreds of you spoke up in support of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) methane rule, Secretary Zinke is gutting it. In a move that proves the Administration will bend to corporate interests over public interests, Zinke just put…

Feb 01 2018

Local Non-Profits Ask FERC to Deny Tri-State Petition

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

Regulations around energy production can be complicated, but it's also really important to our region's ability to pursue local renewable energy through our rural cooperatives. This week, we joined forces with our partners at Local First to file a motion to…

Jan 31 2018

oil and gas development in Greater Chaco

BLM Failed to Count 74% of Protests to Greater Chaco Oil and Gas Lease Sale

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Photo: Rob Zeigler The BLM is going further and further out of its way to avoid public input, but we're not going to let them get away with it. When they released the protests for the March 2018 lease sale,…

Jan 29 2018

PNM must do right by Four Corner communities, citizens and workers

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Coal, Renewable Energy No Comments

A major tenet of our work over the past decade has been that coal-fired power plants in the Four Corners region have exerted an enormous toll on human public health and natural systems (air, water, land). It is now apparent…

Jan 26 2018

Why does LPEA need a long-term strategy review?

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy One Comment

Jan 21 2018

View of Animas Valley from Animas Mountain

To plan, or not to plan – land use in La Plata County

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection One Comment

It might be easy to chuckle at the silliness of the conspiracy theorists convinced the United Nations is scheming with La Plata County to forcibly relocate rural folks into urban housing centers. Easy, unless you’re the county commissioners bearing the…

Jan 04 2018

We’ve lost democratic control of our power supply

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight, Renewable Energy 2 Comments

Dec 19 2017

Groups challenge new rule nullifying compliance obligations under BLM methane rule

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

This fall, over 175,000 people commented against a proposed delay of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) methane rule, a rule that is particularly important for those of us under the Four Corners Methane Hotspot and suffer the royalty losses,…

Dec 18 2017

Wins of 2017!

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal, Gold King Mine, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Rivers, Species, Wolf Creek No Comments

Was 2017 a challenging year? Hell yes. And that's why our work is so critical. We’re here because public and environmental health doesn’t always get prioritized over corporate interests. We’re here because wildlife, water and a stable climate don’t have…

Dec 16 2017

Now’s the time to voice your views about our public lands’ future

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas, Wolf Creek No Comments

Last week’s events punctuated by the Trump administration’s cavalier abandonment of a century’s worth of American conservation practice is greatly discouraging. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wiped out more than 1 million acres of protected landscapes in two national monuments in…

Dec 15 2017

If (how) LPEA can measure the health impacts of coal

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight 6 Comments

Dec 11 2017

BLM, can you hear us?

By sjca Oil & Gas No Comments

Last week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proved their determination to elevate the interests of the oil and gas industry above those of the people they’re charged to protect – twice. But we can’t give up now. GREATER CHACO…

Dec 08 2017

BLM Delaying Methane Rule 1-Year

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas One Comment

Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issuing a one-year delay of the BLM methane regulations, pushing aside 175,000 public comments, a vast majority of westerners, and the public interest of New Mexico. Read the full press release below, learn…

Dec 06 2017

Picture high in the Weminuche Wilderness

133 Conservation Groups Tell Congress: Keep Bikes Out of Wilderness

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Species No Comments

"Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit." Edward Abbey It seems so obvious that we should preserve at least some small part of this planet to remain relatively untouched by humans and our destructive…

Nov 21 2017

What do renewable energy advocates actually want?

By sjca Climate Change, Coal, LPEA Spotlight 6 Comments

Nov 18 2017

hiker in arctic national wildlife refuge

Sen. Gardner’s vote can determine fate of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas No Comments

With the onset of winter, it’s never too early to daydream of next year’s adventures. Nowhere compares with the raw, spontaneous wildness of Alaska’s primeval landscapes teeming with abundant caribou and grizzly bears. In particular, the aptly named Arctic National…

Nov 09 2017

Groups Appeal District Court’s Dismissal of Case on Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Coal 2 Comments

Photo: EcoFlight While other coal plants in the region are announcing early closures, due in large part to the low cost of renewables, the 55-year-old Four Corners Power Plant was issued a whopping 25-year permit extension in 2015. As you may remember,…