A fresh start, but only a beginning

Global warming cap, green power among next steps

President Obama has begun to chart a new course on energy and the environment. Yet, as he would readily acknowledge, the toughest obstacles lie ahead.

In January, members of Environment New Mexico’s federal staff, Margie Alt, Anna Aurilio and Ivan Frishberg, applauded the president in the East Room of the White House as he directed his administration to take steps that will help states, including New Mexico, put more hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars on our roads, reducing our carbon footprint and dependence on oil.

In February, our federal staff were also in attendance as the president signed the economic recovery bill, which included an $80 billion down payment on clean energy that will create 1.5 million green jobs nationwide, including thousands in New Mexico.

“We’re thrilled the president has acted so boldly and swiftly,” said Anna Aurilio, our Washington, D.C., office director. “Yet there’s a mountain of work left to do, and he’s going to need all the help he can get.”

Facing special interest opposition

Energy companies have proposed new coal-fired power plants across the United States. New Mexico is already home to two of the nation’s dirtiest coal-fired plants, and several more are planned for the state. One proposed plant, Desert Rock, is projected to emit more than 12 million tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air each year, wiping out major gains being made to reduce New Mexico’s global warming emissions. Environment New Mexico is fighting the proposed Desert Rock coal plant and is pushing for alternative clean energy sources.

The president has set a national goal of 25 percent renewable electricity by 2025 and has proposed a cap on carbon pollution;  we support both goals as keys to unleashing the power of clean energy to transform our economy. Despite the pro-environment majority in Congress, approval of either measure is far from assured—especially in the Senate, where special interests and the president’s adversaries need only 41 votes to snarl progress in endless debate and delay.

 “That’s why we’re helping to organize support for clean energy across the state,”  said Aurilio.