Real Results For New Mexico's Environment

1. Bringing Cleaner Cars To Our Roads
Environment New Mexico led the charge for cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The state’s new clean car standards will reduce global warming emissions from new cars, trucks and SUVs 30% by 2016 and save New Mexico drivers money at the pump.

2. More Clean Energy For New Mexico
Environment New Mexico worked to put the first state renewable energy standard in place years ago. Last year, we helped to double that standard. Now, 20% of our energy will come from clean, renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2020.

3. Investing $20 Million In Solar Power
A $20 million bond to promote solar energy was added to the state budget in 2005. In 2006, Environment New Mexico helped pass tax incentives to support solar power. Our next step: Get the state to bring 50,000 solar-ready rooftops to New Mexico.

4. Saving New Mexico’s Wild Forests
In 2006, with support from our staff, Gov. Richardson petitioned to protect all 1.5 million acres of New Mexico’s national forests. These areas were put at risk of development after the Bush administration repealed the Roadless Rule.

5. Stopping Desert Rock Power Plant
In 2007, Environment New Mexico helped to stop an $85 million tax break for Desert Rock, a massive new coal-fired power plant. In 2008, we continued the fight by joining with allies to challenge the EPA’s approval of an air permit for the proposed plant.

6. Managing Our Water Supplies For The Future
After the Albuquerque City Council adopted Environment New Mexico’s proposal to create a “water budget,” we followed up with a report, “Using Water Wisely,” demonstrating the potential to save 1.86 trillion gallons of water per year in six Southwestern states.

7. Finding Local Solutions To Global Warming
Gov. Richardson set a goal of reducing global warming emissions 75% below 2000 levels by 2050. As a first step, New Mexico joined the Western Climate Initiative to reduce regional global warming emissions to at least 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

8. Defending The Grand Canyon
Mining has no place in or near the Grand Canyon. We’re working to undo the Bush administration’s invitation to companies that want to mine as close as five miles from the canyon rim.

9. Keeping The Gila River Wild
When a state agency proposed new projects that would dam the Gila River, our state’s last free-flowing river, we convinced Gov. Bill Richardson to block funding and keep the Gila running free.

10. Bringing Change To Washington And Santa Fe
In 2008, voters elected a pro-environment president and Congress. As part of Environment America Voter Action, we talked to more than one million voters about the environmental records of Barack Obama and the 29 pro-environment congressional candidates we endorsed­—including New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and Reps. Heinrich, Teague and Lujan.