There's just one week left in the 2025 Legislative Session, and the action hasn't been slowing down! With priority bills gaining momentum and harmful ones advancing, the clock is ticking to make our voices heard on impactful legislation that will shape our future.
The next few days will be critical to pushing meaningful legislation across the finish line and blocking bad bills from becoming law. Just this week, we saw movement from the Oil Conservation Commission, which implemented a ban on PFAS after continued advocacy from YUCCA and our movement allies – but without full chemical disclosure, the ban is largely unenforceable. (More on this below!)
Now more than ever, we must continue to advocate for meaningful climate justice legislation and push back against policies that would deepen our state’s reliance on the oil and gas industry—threatening our health, environment, and future.
Read on to learn how you can make your voice heard on important bills that will shape New Mexico's future during these final days of the Legislative Session!
MAJOR PFAS UPDATE: OIL CONSERVATION COMMISSION ADOPTS BAN ON PFAS IN FRACKING OPERATIONS
🚨 Right now, regulators at the Oil Conservation Commission are prioritizing polluters over the health and well being of the people. 🚨
In November of last year, YUCCA joined our movement allies at the Oil Conservation Commission's rule-making hearings to demand a ban on PFAS (dangerous forever chemicals) in oil and gas operations and full chemical disclosure to ensure that companies can't use undisclosed, potentially hazardous chemicals underground.
In a major update, this week, the Oil Conservation Commission took a step forward by banning PFAS in fracking operations – but failed to require the full disclosure of chemicals used in oil and gas operations, rendering the ban largely unenforceable.
Our friends at WildEarth Guardians write, "Banning PFAS in oil and gas operations is a necessary step, but without full chemical disclosure, it's virtually meaningless. This decision gives the illusion of progress, but without enforceability through disclosure, its nothing more than posturing. Industry's stranglehold on New Mexico politics is suffocating, and today's ruling proves it." (Melissa Troutman, Climate & Health Advocate at WildEarth Guardians)
During the remainder of the 2025 Legislative Session, we have one last chance to hold the oil and gas industry accountable to the same standards as any other entity operating across our state – and we need you to make your voice heard today in support of H.B. 222, Fracturing Fluid Disclosure and Use.
If passed, H.B. 222 would represent a long-overdue step towards establishing transparency and accountability for the oil and gas industry – reinforcing the Oil Conservation Commission's ban on the use of PFAS in fracking operations and requiring the full chemical disclosure that would give regulators the power to hold industry accountable.
We need your help to get this critical legislation across the finish line – take action with us by contacting your State Representative today and urging them to vote yes on H.B. 222 when it comes up for a vote on the House Floor. 📢
NEW MEXICO IS NOT FOR SALE: NO FALSE SOLUTIONS DAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
Last week, we were honored to join fellow members of the No False Solutions Coalition for a powerful day of celebration, truth-telling, and advocacy at the State Capitol during No False Solutions Day! ✊
As harmful bills that threaten our communities, lands, and waters continue to make their way through the roundhouse—bills that advance false solutions, deepen our state's dependency on the oil and gas industry, and endanger the health and well-being of our people—the No False Solutions Coalition stood together on Friday to send a powerful message to our legislators: New Mexico is not for sale.
Photo Credit: Darrell Fong, @4thworldstories on Instagram and Corey Fong
At No False Solutions Day, we heard from incredible speakers and poets who shared their powerful wisdom and stories about environmental justice issues across our state, listened to musicians who filled the space with energy and inspiration, and shared delicious tamales together as our voices rang out through the Roundhouse.
During the event, YUCCA Policy Campaign Manager Ennedith López also spoke truth to power as she called upon the Democratic Party and our legislators to act with courage and align themselves with the people – not oil and gas industry lobbyists and the Trump Administration's "Drill, baby drill!" agenda.
Check out her speech in the video below, then click the button below to learn more about the New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition.
JUST ONE WEEK TO GO: TAKE ACTION TODAY TO PASS OUR PRIORITY BILLS & BLOCK HARMFUL LEGISLATION
This weekend, S.B. 48 (The Community Benefit Fund), is set to be heard by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
This vital bill, introduced by Senator Mimi Stewart, is a direct reflection of YUCCA's longstanding call for the establishment of a just transition fund to invest in real solutions that would move our state away from our toxic dependence on the oil and gas industry.
We're excited that this bill, which represents a crucial step towards prioritizing community well-being over industry profits, has continued to gain momentum as it has advanced through the legislative process – already passing the Senate and the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Learn more about why S.B. 48 is so important for New Mexico's future by watching the video above, then take action to urge the members of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee to vote YES on this bill and send it to the House Floor:
Chair Nathan P. Small, nathan.small@nmlegis.gov
Vice Chair Meredith A. Dixon, meredith.dixon@nmlegis.gov
Ranking Member Jack Chatfield, jack.chatfield@nmlegis.gov
Representative Brian Baca, brian.baca@nmlegis.gov
Representative Cathrynn Brown, c.brown.nm55@gmail.com
Representative Rebecca Dow, rebecca.dow@nmlegis.gov
Representative Mark Duncan, Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov
Representative Joy Garratt, joy.garratt@nmlegis.gov
Representative Joseph Franklin Hernandez, joseph.hernandez@nmlegis.gov
Representative Pamelya Herndon, pamelya.herndon@nmlegis.gov
Representative Susan Herrera, susan.herrera@nmlegis.gov
Representative Charlotte Little, Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov
Representative Tara Lujan, tara.lujan@nmlegis.gov
Representative Randall Pettigrew, randall.pettigrew@nmlegis.gov
Representative Joseph Sanchez, Joseph.Sanchez@nmlegis.gov
Representative Debra Sariñana, debbie.sarinana@nmlegis.gov
Representative Sarah Silva, sarah.silva@nmlegis.gov
Representative Harlan Vincent, Harlan.Vincent@nmlegis.gov
As we look ahead to tomorrow, we need your help to stop H.B. 137 (The Strategic Water Supply Act) and H.B. 457 (The Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Act), which are scheduled for hearings tomorrow in the Senate Conservation Committee, respectively.
Earlier in the session, our advocacy paid off when committee members removed funding for "produced water" reuse (liquid toxic fracking waste) from H.B. 137, The Strategic Water Supply Act. However, brackish water desalination – which is included in the bill – is energy-intensive, costly, and creates toxic residual waste. YUCCA remains concerned that H.B. 137 lacks critical amendments to ensure a plan is in place for the safe disposal of this waste and to require that any publicly-funded brackish water desalination projects operate using 100% renewable energy.
In addition, H.B. 457, The Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Act, would advance carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) – a dangerous false solution. H.B. 457 proposes the establishment of a regulatory framework for the long-term storage of carbon dioxide in geological formations in New Mexico – advancing and accelerating the use of risky, unproven CCS technology that reinforces our reliance on extractive industry.
We need your help to urge the Senate Conservation Committee to reject harmful provisions and false solutions. Take action today by calling and emailing the members of the committee to urge them to vote NO on these bad bills:
Chair Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics, 505-986-4377, lstefanics@msn.com
Vice Chair Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, 505-986-4389, a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov
Ranking Member Candy Spence Ezzell, 505-986-4381, csecows@aol.com
Senator Joseph Cervantes, 505-986-4861, joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov
Senator Angel M. Charley, 505-986-4513, angel.charley@nmlegis.gov
Senator Carrie Hamblen, 505-986-4310, carrie.hamblen@nmlegis.gov
Senator Harold Pope, 505-986-4380, harold.popejr@nmlegis.gov
Senator Larry R. Scott, 505-986-4701, larry.scott@nmlegis.gov
Senator James G. Townsend, 505-986-4366, townsend@pvtn.net
JOIN US ON TUESDAY: FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE DAY
There is no climate justice without a free Palestine.
On Tuesday, we'll link arms with 17 other organizations during Freedom for Palestine Day at the Roundhouse to tell our elected officials that it's time to divest all New Mexico funds from the Israeli war machine, protect free speech for all students, faculty, and protesters in New Mexico, end home demolitions and dispossessions in the Occupied West Bank, and demand unlimited and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza.
We'd be honored to have you join us next Tuesday, March 18th from 12:00-1:00 pm for poetry, speakers, music, and opportunities to engage in Palestine solidarity work.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: NO FALSE SOLUTIONS 102 TRAINING & LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT BACK
False solutions are everywhere–pushed by corporations and policymakers who claim to act on climate but keep fueling the crisis.
Mark your calendars and register to join YUCCA, UNM LEAF, ASUNM, and the New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition for our No False Solutions 102 Training and Legislative Session Report-Back on Monday, March 31st from 4:00-6:00 pm, where we'll break down industry greenwashing tactics, how these policies impact New Mexico, and how we can fight back.
We'll also report back on key takeaways from this year's legislative session–what passed, what didn't, and what the outcome of the legislative session means for our communities and the fight for climate justice.
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