Author: gpabqmetro

September 21 was designated as the International Day of Peace in 1981. In 2001, the UN General Assembly voted to declare the day one of non-violence. https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

Celebrate Peace locally and support the Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice!

You can watch Jill Stein’s response to the Harris-Trump debate tonight. Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/ftL8uv74q-k

The public comment period on the second five-year report on the mixed-waste landfill at Sandia National Laboratories ends September 10, 2024. Read the notice. Read the report.

Register for webinar on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctc-CrrTsjG9NStgX2Gm0-1rnFQ3jajOVN#/registration.

The EPA will consider a Proposed Change Request (PCR) from the Dept. of Energy (DoE) that will allow the use of two new storage panels to replace the storage capacity that was closed after the radiation leak in 2014. This would be a significant change to the facility as presented for recertification in 2019. Recertification review was due every five years, but the 2024 review was moved to November 2026. Watchdog groups are concerned that the EPA will considered the proposed changes by internal review rather than the formal rule-making process. Further concerning is the following from (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-03/24-0168-wipp-pcr-panels-letter-enclosures.pdf):

The DOE has shared with the EPA (August 12,2021, Letter to EPA) that the two replacement
panels will not provide sufficient capacity to hold the 6.2 million cubic feet of TRU waste
authorized by the Land Withdrawal Act (LWA). The timing for the need of additional panels,
beyond replacement Panels 11 and 12, will require further analyses. The DOE will submit a
separate PCR for additional panels, when further analysis are completed and a future request is
finalized.

There will be public meetings next week in New Mexico regarding the PCR.

Monday, August 26, 2024 – Carlsbad, New Mexico
U.S. Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office
Skeen-Whitlock Building, Main Auditorium
4021 National Parks Highway
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (MDT)

Register on Zoom: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdeiqrTwpHUkjZ1z_djiz7fqgYMDqcc8

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 – Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hilton Santa Fe-Historic Plaza
100 Sandoval Street, Canyon Ballroom
Santa Fe, NM 87501
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (MDT) (Technical/Scientific)

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (MDT) (General Public Comment)

Register on Zoom (1pm session): https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdOyqqjosG2w3uwOoOk4UNSxZwyXxE2s

(6pm session): https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdumqrzIvHZWmhyQ_Jh7EBe1EcgTmi5Y

Public comment closes on September 16, 2024. Submit written comments: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0309-0001.

Dr. Jill Stein and Prof. Butch Ware are the 2024 Presidential/Vice-Presidential ticket for the Green Party of the United States.

Check out their first press conference.

Learn about campaign activities in New Mexico at the next GPAMA meeting, Wednesday, August 21, 6:30 p. m., 1111 Carlisle Blvd. SE. Contact us for call-in, log-in information.

Procession at 11:45 from Plaza to corners of Sandoval & Alameda for vigil.

Registration for Free Speech on Trial! on Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 pm MDT is also on Zoom.

The public hearings continue on the proposed changes to the allowable uses of liquid waste from oil and gas operations.  This waste is referred to as produced water, but it is not something anyone would want to drink or put on crops.  Although the waste can be treated to remove a variety of contaminants, including forever chemicals that poisoned a dairy farm in eastern New Mexico, the rule does not require criteria to assure treated waste is safe.  GPNM calls on the Commission to reject the proposed rule change.

The hearing is currently scheduled to continue each day from Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9, from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m., with a lunch break expected each day.  The hearing is also scheduled from the 12th through the 14th; it is unclear if those days are open to public comment.  To sign up for public comment, contact WQCC Administrator Pamela Jones to sign up to speak at pamela.jones@env.nm.gov or 505-660-4305.  Comments should be limited to three minutes.  In-person comment will be at the State Capitol, Room 322, 411 S. Capitol St. in Santa Fe.  To attend the hearing virtually, used the following link and meeting number:

Meeting Number 2632 753 1827

Agua es la vida.

Sunday, July 14, 2024, St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, ABQ. Doors open at 2:00 p. m. This event is organized by the following groups: Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico Conference of Churches, Interfaith Power & Light, NM-EP, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Soka Gakkai International-USA, and Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.

Reservation recommended https://form.jotform.com/241400030658141

Livestream available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCmVg2ls4eM&list=PLMgo93W-5zkkhgqfkZmypnvyYbjPGsksO