Looking ahead to 2008
A preview of the coming legislative session
Last
year’s legislative session was a great success for New Mexico’s
environment, marked by the passage of a slew of clean energy bills,
including one that doubled the state’s renewable electricity standard
to 20 percent by 2020.
Now, as we gear up for January’s 30-day
“budget” legislative session, Environment New Mexico will be working
with our allies on a number of bills to protect New Mexico’s natural
environment, address global warming, and ensure water for future
generations of New Mexicans.
Protecting the Gila River
As
a desert state, New Mexico’s water supply is precious. We will be
working to secure funding to restore and protect New Mexico’s rivers
and streams, particularly the Gila River. River restoration helps to
rebuild habitat, restore native species, and create healthy, living
rivers that all New Mexicans can enjoy. We’ll also be working to make
sure that any funding for the Gila River is not tied to efforts that
would drain, divert or otherwise damage New Mexico’s last free-flowing
river.
Promoting energy efficiency
The inefficient
use of energy in our homes, businesses and schools contributes
significantly to global warming. We’ll be working on a package of
energy efficiency bills for the 2008 session that will reduce energy
waste and create high performance appliances and buildings. We’ll be
working with the other advocates and Gov. Richardson on bills that
could include funding for low-income weatherization, training for
technicians who deal with renewable and energy efficiency technologies,
and efficiency standards for appliances and lighting.
Preserving the Rio Grande
Stretching
the length of New Mexico, from the pueblos in the north to the
beautiful desert landscapes of southern New Mexico’s borderlands, the
Rio Grande is the heart of the state.
To help protect and
foster appreciation of the river, Environment New Mexico will be
working to secure additional funding for the Rio Grande Trail. The
trail would bring with it new opportunities for recreation and tourism,
and provide New Mexicans a spectacular way to explore and enjoy the
beauty, culture and history of the state.
Looking forward to real progress
Our
prospects for progress this legislative session are looking bright.
But, as always, we’ll also be playing defense: keeping bad bills from
passing and preventing rollbacks that weaken the gains we’ve made
during past sessions. We stand ready to block any subsidies for the
Desert Rock coal-fired power plant or rollbacks to the Clean Cars
Program with our partners in and out of the Legislature.
In
the coming months, we’ll be working to build the support necessary to
pass this critical legislation. We look forward to keeping you informed
about our progress on these and other issues.
