News & Updates

Having monitored the progress of the Honoring Chaco Initiative (HCI) for 18 months, the Greater Chaco Coalition today shared recommendations on how the Department of Interior can ensure the initiative produces timely, durable outcomes that advance environmental...

Today, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife released its wolf conservation and management report for 2022. It shows weak population growth of only three wolves more than the 175 counted in 2021, and a high 17 human-caused wolf mortalities in 2022. “This is the...

Previously unpublicized information unearthed by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) shows that since at least 2013, oil and gas companies have used extremely toxic and persistent chemicals known as PFAS in New Mexico’s oil and gas wells. PSR’s report, Fracking...

Today, a year and a day after the ignition of the climate-fueled Hermit’s Peak wildfire—the largest wildfire in New Mexico history— Gov. Lujan Grisham line-item vetoed all five climate incentives in this year’s New Mexico tax bill. She vetoed these reasonable climate...

Late last week, the Helena Hunters and Anglers Association (Helena Hunters) received a favorable order in a case in which the group intervened to defend the U.S. Forest Service’s Divide Travel Plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Motorized off-road...

The Senate Conservation Committee’s swift 6-3 passage of SB 418, the much-needed New Mexico Oil and Gas Justice and Reform Act, shows promise for reform of the outdated 1935 law in the near future. We have received word, unfortunately, that the bill won’t proceed...

As the New Mexico legislation enters its final days, we applaud Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart for her introduction of SB520, the Clean Future Act. This bill—though modest and yet still facing an uphill battle in the legislature—would nonetheless prove a...

WELC is opposed to HB12, the Advanced Energy Technology Act, introduced in New Mexico’s 2023 legislative session. We fully support the creation of an Economic Transition and Justice Division to provide essential, long-needed support for New Mexico workers and...

The Western Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit public-interest environmental law firm, is proud to announce Jenna M.A. Kloeppel as its new development director. Jenna comes to WELC with 10 years of experience in fundraising and sales in the arts. She has worked for...

New Mexico Sen. Leo Jaramillo (D-5) of Rio Arriba County introduced the New Mexico Oil and Gas Justice and Reform Act (SB 418) to modernize the 1935 Oil and Gas Act. The bill, supported by a broad range of New Mexico community groups, aims to ensure that any...