Your support will help WLN build upon our work in 2026: westernleaders.org/donate

WLN is proud to work with local leaders from many backgrounds and communities who share a common commitment to ensuring our democracy works for everyone. Donate today to make WLN’s impact possible: westernleaders.org/donate

ICYMI. By 2035, investor-owned gas utilities must cut carbon pollution by 41% from 2015 levels, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission decided in a 2–1 vote last month.

According to a new report from @climaterural.bsky.social, rural areas contribute a disproportionate amount of climate-damaging pollution, but they also have an outsized role to play in addressing the problem: ruralclimate.org/2025-rural-e...

This month, we’ll share reflections from WLN leaders about our impact and why your support makes a difference. Donate now to help ensure all communities have a voice and local leaders have the resources they need to do their jobs well: westernleaders.org/donate

The Public Utilities Commission on Monday finalized a state Clean Heat framework requiring Xcel and other utilities supplying natural gas for home and building heating to cut the carbon emissions from their systems by 41% in 10 years.

When many oil/gas-producing states are already making strides to comply with EPA #cutmethane standards, it’s clear by delaying this rule that Administrator Zeldin values the interests of polluters over public opinion, our health, climate, and democracy. www.westernleaders.org/epa-methane-...

Western Leaders Network is a small organization making an outside impact, and every donation makes a difference. Your support on #GivingTuesday will help power our work in 2026. #GivingTuesday2025 westernleaders.org/donate

Delaying the #cutmethane rule ignores the broad, bipartisan support behind these commonsense safeguards and dismisses the voices of local, Tribal and state elected officials working for clean air, a healthier climate, and strong economies.

Congress failed to put a stop to @EPA’s misguided delay of commonsense safeguards to #cutmethane, hold the biggest polluters accountable, and protect communities.

A new analysis by @ConservStewards finds taxpayers could be held liable for $753 billion in cleanup costs after the Trump administration lowers bonding requirements for the oil+gas industry. #PublicLands + communities deserve better. Read the full report → bit.ly/4hMNCjv

“The choice is clear: protect people, protect the climate and finalize strong Clean Heat rules.”

Last week, local and state elected officials across New Mexico called on the Oil Conservation Commission to update state bonding rules to protect their constituents’ health, tax dollars, and the environment. Read it here: www.westernleaders.org/nm-bonding-r... #protectnm #accountability

ICYMI. Chili Yazzie, former chapter leader on the Navajo Nation, calls for oil and gas industry accountability, which is what updating state bonding rules to ensure companies pay for well cleanup would achieve. @abqjournal.bsky.social

For all of you asking, “…what can I do about the methane crisis that is destroying our environment??”… This. This is what you can do. Join one of the top environmental attorneys in the country on this WLN webinar at 1pm MT If you care abt our environment, this is your chance to do something.

New Mexico elected officials call for oil and gas bonding reform to protect taxpayer dollars, their communities’ health, and natural resources. Read their letter to the Oil Conservation Commission here: #cleanwater #protectnm #accountability www.westernleaders.org/nm-bonding-r...

Local and state elected officials across New Mexico are calling on the Oil Conservation Commission to update bonding rules and ensure oil and gas companies pay to clean up their wells. Read their letter here: www.westernleaders.org/nm-bonding-r... #cleanwater #protectnm #accountability #fairfuture

Join us this Thursday, Nov. 6 for a webinar on efforts underway in New Mexico and Utah to update bonding rules, ensure oil and gas companies pay for well cleanup, and protect communities. Register today: www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

"Now it is unclear whether anyone will clean up an estimated 93 abandoned wells on federal lands managed by the Park Service."

The NM Oil Conservation Commission is currently considering updates to bonding rules in a series of hearings underway. Polling shows New Mexicans support oil and gas companies paying to clean up their own messes. More here: www.westernleaders.org/new-mexico-b... #protectnm #accountability

Webinar 11/6: @envdefensefund.bsky.social will join @westernleaders.bsky.social to provide an update on efforts underway in New Mexico and Utah to modernize financial assurance policy, and how elected officials can provide a key supportive role. Register today: www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

WEBINAR Nov. 6: Regulatory updates underway in New Mexico and Utah would ensure oil and gas companies — not taxpayers — cover the costs of cleaning up abandoned/idle wells, and elected officials can play a key supportive role. Register here to learn more: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission's public hearings on updating oil and gas bonding regulations began today. Polling shows broad support for o/g companies covering 100% of cleanup costs for the development of our natural resources. More here: www.westernleaders.org/new-mexico-b...

It’s happening again ‼️ The Trump administration is trying to open up 88 million acres of public lands to development—threatening America’s oldest forests, risking wildlife habitats, and endangering drinking water for millions of people.

ICYMI. More than 80 state and local officials have called on the EPA to uphold the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, which has helped lower emissions and improve air quality for communities. pagosadailypost.com/2025/09/23/8...

Democratic senators have spoken out against EPA’s proposal to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding – a science-based determination that enables forward progress on climate action and regulations that protect our health.

Repealing the endangerment finding will have negative consequences for communities across the U.S. Whatever your political affiliation, “the health of this planet and your communities should be one of the most critical issues.” alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/22/t...

🛰️ New insights from @methanesat.bsky.social data show oil and gas methane intensity in New Mexico is less than half that of Texas in the Permian Basin — corresponding with strong state standards under @govmlg.bsky.social. 🔍 Check it out: www.edf.org/Z6rC

ICYMI. A deep dive into New Mexico's orphaned oil and gas well problem with @vivarioarriba.bsky.social @highcountrynews.org

Jerry Redfern @capitalandmain.bsky.social exposes 1.6 billion dollars worth of dirty laundry (or more) fm New Mexico's golden child... “...the Reclamation Fund is not a substitute for adequate bonding and financial assurance from operators” NM Rep Matthew McQueen capitalandmain.com/new-mexicos-...

Conservation would no longer count as an official use of federal public lands under a plan announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“If you make a mess, you clean it up.” New Mexican ranchers & farmers like Don and Jane Schreiber live by this rule. Oil & gas corporations must too. Stronger bonding rules mean polluters not the public, pay for cleanup. 📰 bit.ly/NMGreenChile... #Accountability #ProtectNM

We can’t pass down poisoned land and call it a legacy... to protect what we've inherited we need bonding reform, forcing oil companies to fully fund well plugging/cleanup. So far abandoned wells have cost taxpayers $100M. #NMPol hat tip @westernlaw.org www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_v...

Today, EPA is hearing comments on their decision to delay – without basis – the compliance deadline for the federal rule to #cutmethane. Watch it here:

"If we want to achieve this future of economic, health, and environmental benefits, there is no place for Xcel to build additional gas-fired plants or chase risky solutions like nuclear energy."

Jacob Smith writes for the Daily Sentinel that Xcel Energy is threatening Colorado’s clean, affordable energy future. New gas plants could burden ratepayers with high costs & carbon while leaving communities behind. #CleanUpXcel

WLN Executive Director Liane Jollon joined podcast “Make Me Smart” this week to talk about how state and local governments are leading the way in protecting our climate, local economies, and public health. Listen here:

The Trump administration is preparing to terminate $7 billion in federal grants intended to help low- and moderate-income families install solar panels on their homes, according to two people briefed on the matter.

Today WLN executive director Liane Jollon interviewed with APR Marketplace podcast “Make Me Smart” to talk about the power and impact of local governance. Stay tuned!

A deep dive into EPA’s proposal to eliminate the 2009 endangerment finding and make climate denial official.

Methane and other pollution from oil and gas sources is driving climate change impacts and worsening public health. EPA’s own data shows this, yet Administrator Zeldin is delaying commonsense safeguards to #CutMethane, putting frontline communities at risk.

By delaying the deadline by which the oil and gas industry must comply with the EPA methane rule, the administration disregards the voices of local, tribal and state elected officials who want clean air and sound economies for their constituents. www.westernleaders.org/epa-methane-...

EPA’s proposal to repeal the endangerment finding is an affront to local, tribal and state elected officials who are grappling daily with the effects of a warming climate in their communities. Read our statement: www.westernleaders.org/epa-endanger...

The EPA has crafted a proposal that would undo the government's "endangerment finding," a determination that pollutants from burning fossil fuels, such as carbon dioxide and methane, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act.

THANK YOU to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Dems for holding this public health-focused forum on why we need to #cutmethane from the oil and gas sector to protect our communities. Watch it here: