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February 13, 2022

Blessings this February time when we are reminded that Love is the very physical structure of the universe.

Thank you to all who continue to lend voice at legislature, and for the EPA methane rule comment period. Thank you all who lend hands for education on climate, install solar, etc.

Some IPL folks at board retreat in January.

We are grateful for our IPL board, whose names you can see on our website www.nm-ipl.org.

Some of our board members were able to meet in person for a retreat in January. We are always looking for boardmembers to fill specific needs. Let us know if you are interested [email protected].

IPL is also looking for a part-time paid person to help with administrative needs. Check out details at www.nm-ipl.org. Please let us know if you or someone you know is interested. This is a great way to be of service and be in community with others.

Please read on for more news, resources and actions.

Peace and good,

Sr. Joan Brown, Executive Director

Policy Advocacy Updates:

Federal:

EPA Methane Rules:

Comment period for stronger methane rules ends February 13. Thank you to the 20 IPL faith/conscience folks who offered virtual individual public testimony in January; for the many who lent your voice through national IPL; and for nearlt 100 faith leaders in our region who signed a faith leader letter calling for strong rules!!!

EPA Soot Rules Comment Period: IPL joined others at Land/Water Day at Capitol Feb 9

Soort is a dangerous and deadly pollutant that is produced by power plants, tailpipes on cars and trucks and other sources. An updated standard for soot pollution can save thousands of lives. Submit your comment to the EPA urging them to issue a strong, science-based standard that protects health and advances environmental justice. And share this with your faith community. Faith Leaders sign onto a special letter. Faith Leaders: Add your name to this comment letter to EPA for a strong soot rule. The deadline to sign is March 8th.

NM Legislative Overview Update:

Many IPL volunteers are engaged in making phone calls, writing e-mails to legislators, joining in on-line hearings, etc. Much is going on. If you are on our Advocacy list you get many detailed updates. If not and you want to join contact [email protected].

For info on your legislator, watching proceedings via zoom, and bill status and Committee zoom links to attend go to nmlegis.gov.

A Brief Overview:

Green Amendment--still waiting on committee hearings

Climate related bills--HB 188 Economic Transition in Ruth, Sue & Emma tabling at Roundhouse.

committees; HB 42/SB5 Public Health and Climate Resiliency in committees; So many water bills in various stages and HB 121 Water Use Lease Effective Dates going through committees; Oil and Gas Reform Act waiting to be dropped; Bad Actor and Private Right of Action wait to see if untabled; HB 218 Low Income Utility Rate and HB 185 Environmental Appliance Efficiency Standards moving through committees; Banning Storage of High-Level Nuclear Waste (Holtec) HB 122 and SB 53 to be heard in Senate chamber; Protect Pollinators, none; Climate bill addressing Green House Gas reduction, not happening yet---contact governor and your legislators saying we a moral and ethical responsibility to act for climate and future to address GHG in NM.

What's Happening:

Wed. Feb. 15, 5:30 virtual

Climate, Health, & Equity Implications of Large Facility

Pollution Sources in NM

UNM & PSE Health Energy Report

Join Gabe Pacyniak, Assoc. Prof. of Law at UNM and Dr. Elena Krieger, Dir. Research at PSE Healthy Energy who co-authored report. You can register by following the link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsduCoqD8sH9GSsYofvyStpSA3kXT0scVj Volunteers planting trees

The report analyzes sources and locations and suggested that there may be equity benefits to reducing emissions in those areas with a high percentage of people of color, lower-income people, or people with health vulnerabilities. Four regions—the San Juan Basin; Permian Basin; Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties; and Las Cruces and Dona Aña County—were identified as areas with clusters of large stationary sources. Finally, the report finds that current state policies are not adequate to achieve climate pollution reductions but offers some solutions. The New Mexico non-profit Center for Civic Policy served as the fiscal sponsor and advisor of the report, and report was funded by Environmental Defense Fund. https://www.psehealthyenergy.org/our-work/publications/archive/largest-emission-sources/

NOW--MID MARCH

Tree seedlings to plant

IPL is offering seedlings for spring planting for houses of worship and faith communities following the successful fall planting. This is part of the Interfaith Forest of Bliss Project. Here are trees available. Contact [email protected] to sign up.

Feb. 16, 12 noon--virtual

Heat Pump Webinar through SWEEP

Learn about energy efficiency and heat pumps. This 75-minute webinar will feature presentations and Q&A with:

• Neil Kolwey, Building Electrification Specialist, SWEEP
• Rachel Ellis, Communications Fellow, SWEEP
• David Petroy, Founder, NTS Energy
• Rob Foley, Technical Solutions Specialist, ICAST

Register https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jDZAoqq6SIShryUyagMmkw

Feb. 21, 11 MST--webinar

Planning the Energy Future of your Congregation

Sponsored by national IPL

Click here to register.

Webinar will address importance of creating a snapshot of facility energy use to shape a plan and cut costs while caring for sacred creation. This will assist in taking advantace of energy efficiency, solar and the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be available later in the year.

March 10, 17, 31, and Apr. 14, 2023, 6:30-8:30 (Fridays)

Our Way Into the Future: A Heart Open to the Whole Universe

Led by Sr. Odile Coirier, El Paso Organizer

Colomban Mission Center, 816 Magoffin Ave, El Paso

Free will donation for Columban Migrant Ministry in Juarez

Register at https://forms.gle/EDzZncgy8jsSMw1c8

Would you like to know more about the origin and the story of our Universe? What is our place in the universe? Learn from the work of Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme and Teilhard de Chardin. Facilitated by Sr. Odile Coirier, IPL organizer in El Paso with vast experience on environment and climate. Flyer.

March 23-25

Immersion Retreat Experience for Faith Folk

Carlsbad and Permian Basin

IPL has organized a number of these experiences that incorporate prayer, ritual, reflection, hearing from frontline communities, and making committments for solidarity engagement. People carpool from their location and begin at the Carlsbad Caverns, meet with community members in the Permian, tour the oil and gas fields, learn about human and environmental concerns, reflect and pray together and committ to solidarity action when they return home. Cost is minimal but requires people to agree to work for change when returning First Immersion experience 2019. home. Space is limited. Contact [email protected] for information and to register.

April 15, 10-2

Workshop on soil, and water and Earth Day prayers with hands in the dirt

James and Joyce Skeet--Convenant Pathways

Place TBD--Watch IPL website for details.

April 15-23

IPL National Faith and Climate Action

Annual Earth day week event : The Golden Rule: Just Transition

Be part of this annual event for all faiths and their houses of worship or communities. Resources, advocacy, prayers, etc. and sign up your events on the national map. Get your kit!

Resources:

Houses of Worship Efficiency and Solar---The Cool Congregation Committee of IPL works with Houses of Worship to address energy efficiency/solar. Soon their will be regulations and information regarding direct payback for solar and maybe somethings for energy efficiency through the IRA. IPL will keep you posted.

Land Back Movement: The recording of the Creation Justice Webinar on the Land Back Movement is now available on YouTube. Because guidance on land acknowledgments has been a request in the past, we additionally created a short video and resource page devoted specifically to this matter.

Celtic Spirituality---at the IPL board retreat in January there was a desire to have more programs on eco-spirituality. We are signing up for Celtic Spirituality presentations and resources for the coming months with a national group and national speakers. We are looking for faith communities who have a leader who would like to form a group for viewing the talks and sharing, etc. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in more information.

Check Out IPL website for Lenten Earth Calendars and other resources