Real Results For New Mexico's Environment
1. Finding Solutions To Global Warming
Gov. Richardson has set the goal of reducing global warming pollution to year 2000 levels by 2012, and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. To help reach this goal Environment New Mexico is advocating solutions like clean energy, clean vehicles, clean power plants and energy efficiency.
2. Promoting Clean Local Energy
During the 2007 legislative session, Environment New Mexico and our coalition partners won an expansion of our current renewable energy standard, requiring the state’s utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020.
3. Closing The “Developer’s Loophole”
Environment New Mexico celebrated a victory in the summer of 2006 when the state engineer agreed to close a loophole that had previously allowed developers to drill wells even when they endangered existing water supplies.
4. Managing Water Supplies For The Future
We’re using our water faster than nature can replenish it. In 2004, Albuquerque took a step toward balancing our use with renewable supplies when the City Council adopted Environment New Mexico staff’s proposal to create a “water budget.”
5. Preserving The Arctic Refuge
Despite the influence of oil companies, our staff, along with a broad-based coalition, have protected the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling every time it has been proposed.
6. 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 These areas were put at risk of development after the Bush administration repealed the Roadless Rule.
7. Building A New Energy Future
In 2007, our staff played a pivotal role in passing a federal bill to take away excessive subsidies from polluting industries. The bill is a strong first step toward a new energy future built on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
8. Helping New Mexico “Go Solar”
A $20 million savings bond to promote solar energy was added to the state budget in 2005. During the 2006 legislative session Environment New Mexico helped with the passage of the solar tax credit. Now Environment New Mexico is advocating adopting a state goal of equipping 50,000 rooftops with solar panels.
9. Fighting For Clean Air
In 2005, Environment New Mexico and our coalition partners won a key committee vote to stop the industry-backed “Clear Skies” Initiative, a cleverly packaged attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act.
10. Cleaning Up Our Rivers And Streams
Environment New Mexico and allies stopped the Bush administration’s EPA from allowing partially treated sewage to flow into waterways.