This is the stunning, unique and precious Rio Chama Watershed, New Mexico
Bepuwave, Bienvenidos, Welcome
Who are Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens?
We are a grassroots organization that defends against Oil and Gas development in the Rio Chama Watershed, NM while educating and advocating for sustainable, safe energy and income sources in our region.
ART EXHIBIT: "CHAMA WATERSHED BODY AND SOUL" April 8 thru May 2022
We believe artists and artistic expression are an essential part of protecting the Rio Chama Watershed. Please join us for an art exhibit of works by eleven Northern New Mexican artists, exploring their connection to this beautiful and essential watershed of the State of New Mexico.
Featured Artists:
- Suzanne Derrer
- Mary Kramer
- Sabra Moore
- Gary Pikarsky
- Iren Schio
- Pam Smith
- Barbara Turner
- Lucia Vinograd
- Julie Wagner
- Caroline Wareham
- Star York
Please join us for the Opening Reception on April 8 from 5-7pm for the show that will run through May 2022.
Gallery Location
Northern New Mexico Regional Art Center (NMRAC)
101 Calle De Las Españolas
Espanola, NM 87532
Tel: 505 753 0416
For further gallery visitor information and hours: nnmrac.org
For directions visit: nnmrac.org/visit.html
Partial proceeds of art work sales will benefit the programs of Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens.
Our Considerations Are:
- To inform and educate our community on current issues that affect public health, safety, land, air and water quality in the Rio Chama Watershed.
- To promote the Rio Chama Watershed as a model for sustainable development and renewable energy.
- To stand for the “Frontier District” as designated in the Rio Arriba County Oil and Gas Ordinance (2009). This district is east of the Continental Divide and home of the Rio Chama Watershed.
- To maintain a relationship with Federal, State, and County decision-makers to provide information and education concerning Oil and Gas development and promoting Green Energy to the wider community.
Keep up with the latest environmental and sustainability news affecting our Watershed, region and the wider world via our Facebook stream.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
If you use Facebook, please be sure to follow us.
A small win thanks to those who are holding those providing energy to NM communities accountable and paying attention - let's all stay educated. New Mexico Gas Co. was set to test a blend of hydrogen and methane without proper testing in a "pilot program". Read on.
"New Mexico Gas Company originally requested millions of dollars to test a blend of hydrogen and methane on a section of the company’s system that serves hundreds of customers. But the company has not even completed its initial tests of the safety and air-quality impact of running appliances on a hydrogen blend in a laboratory setting,” explained Sara Gersen, a senior attorney at Earthjustice who represents CCAE in the case. “In the settlement, the company agreed to conduct additional analysis before using hydrogen in its distribution system. Without the distraction of this hydrogen pilot project, New Mexico’s leaders should tackle climate and air pollution by helping customers upgrade to zero-emission electric appliances and quit burning fossil fuels in their homes and businesses.”
Community groups, NM Gas settle on hydrogen, rate proposal
www.riograndesierraclub.org
Utility agrees to drop hydrogen-blending pilot, cut proposed rate increase in half, advocate for legislation enabling low-income utility rates For immediate release: May 23, 2022 On Friday, Coaliti… Want to help those directly affected by the NM fires? WildEarth Guardians just posted some links and this notice. Let's all stay safe and help those in need if we can.
From WildEarth: "There are a number of ways to pitch in. Here are just a few ways we suggest:"
Give money. Grants from the All Together NM Fund - santa-fe-community-foundation.snwbll.com/all-together-nm-fund?refcode=EM_P_220509FireRelief_RR_TE... will go to emergency shelter, food and water distribution, and access to medical support. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Give goods. NM Fire Supply Donation Drive - www.newmexsol.com/ is collecting animal feed, paper products, hot cereal, laundry detergent, diapers, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and other personal care products at locations in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Give time. Taos Connects app.vomo.org/org/taos-connects is facilitating shelter support and meal prep for evacuees. In Santa Fe, Youthworks www.santafecf.org/news-stories/youthworks-urgent-call-for-volunteers is prepping meals for evacuees. Both need volunteers.
WildEarth continues : "It’s important to remember that many of the current fires are human-caused, and all of them have been driven by relentless winds and exacerbated by a megadrought linked to the human-induced climate crisis. So while we act with compassion for those suffering, let us also act with a renewed and deepened courage to call upon our leaders to take bold action to address the climate crisis."
"WildEarth Guardians also fully supports what fire scientists and researchers have been saying for decades: by taking common-sense actions within the “Home Ignition Zone”—the home and its immediate surrounding—we can save homes and lives and protect firefighters and emergency responders. That’s why our official wildfire position calls for a major shift in national policy that emphasizes protecting homes and communities."
"Guardians was founded fighting for these very forests that are now burning. While we proudly work throughout the West, our roots are here in the Land of Enchantment. I know that when we come together, we’ll be more resilient as we face this challenge and those that lie ahead."
This notice just in from the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Do you have 5 minutes to spare and write the BLM regarding New Mexico oil and gas leases? Thankfully not in our area, but in the Permian Basin Region, south-east NM which is overrun by fracking. Please remember adding your own thoughts supplemented with those provided has much more impact. Wed. May 18th is the deadline. Many thanks to all who can help.
"The Bureau of Land Management is planning to resume oil and gas lease sales on public lands this June and is accepting protests until May 18 (this Wednesday) to oppose the sale. Initially, the BLM identified and nominated over 730K acres for lease, but has since drastically reduced the acreage after incorporating recommendations from the Department of Interior's report to reform the federal oil and gas leasing program."
"In total, 8 states will have sales including here in New Mexico. All New Mexico parcels are located in the Permian that continues to experience high levels of production, which has a profound impact on communities, public health, air quality, and our climate affecting us all."
"If you have a few minutes, please take a quick action to oppose this latest sale using our national alert:" act.sierraclub.org/actions/National?actionId=AR0360170"
Help us keep this beautiful land and water pristine for another 100 million years.