“Exxtreme Energy” with the Yes Men at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
In October 2025, I served as co-creator, team trainer, scriptwriter, and lead performer for the Yes Men intervention “Exxtreme Energy” at the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I trained the street theatre crew, wrote the scripts, and led the team during the action.
Posing as representatives promoting a new “fracking-produced water” beverage, we handed out cups and used satire, absurdity, and public performance to call attention to an industry-backed effort to expand the use of treated oil and gas wastewater in New Mexico.
The action generated significant media attention and helped raise public awareness around the issue.
The intervention was part of a broader campaign opposing that proposal. In November 2025, the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission voted to vacate an earlier decision that had allowed the proposal to move forward, a major victory for environmental groups opposing expanded uses of produced water. In May, they tried again, and once again were voted down. We won! We won something! For now that is…stay vigilant!