Opinion Piece
January 17, 2008
It’s the time of year when people’s attentions turn to gingerbread men, friends and family sitting around the table in a warm, aromatic kitchen, New Year’s resolutions…. and, oh yes, legislation and the Roundhouse.
Last year’s legislative session in Santa Fe resulted in a series of big wins for New Mexico’s environment, not the least of which was the doubling of the state’s Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The RES is the percentage of electricity that a utility, like El Paso Electric, needs to secure from renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. The standard was upped from 10 percent to 20 percent by 2020.
Now, the 2008 30-day “budget” legislative session is just around the corner, kicking off on Jan. 15.
Unlike other New Mexicans who may be hoping for a new flat-screen TV or the latest designer purse, as an environmental advocate, my holiday wish list consists of:
River Restoration Funding: As a desert state, New Mexico’s water supply is precious. The governor and the state legislature should establish a dedicated funding stream to restore and protect New Mexico’s rivers and streams, particularly the Gila River, New Mexico’s last free-flowing river. River restoration helps to rebuild habitat, restore native species and create healthy, living rivers that all New Mexicans can enjoy.
An Energy-Efficient New Mexico: The inefficient use of energy in our homes, businesses and schools contributes significantly to global warming. Governor Richardson has announced that energy efficiency will be a top priority for the session. A package of energy-efficiency bills should include, among other things: funding for low-income weatherization, technical vocational training for technicians who deal with renewable and energy efficiency technologies, appliance efficiency standards, lighting efficiency standards, energy audits for state buildings and funding to improve efficiency for property sales or transfers.
A Rio Grande Trail: Stretching the entire 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. Although often overused and overpumped, the Rio Grande delivers water to local farmers, shapes New Mexico’s magnificent landscapes like the Rio Grande Gorge in Taos and weaves throughout New Mexico’s culture and heritage. To help protect and foster appreciation of the river, the New Mexico legislature and the governor should allocate a recurring funding stream for trails and recreation, and the Rio Grande Trail, in particular, bringing with it healthy recreational opportunities, new tourist destinations, giving New Mexicans a spectacular way to explore and enjoy the beauty of the state.
No Rollbacks: As always, there will be any number of attempts by legislators and lobbyists to pass bad bills and weaken the gains we’ve made during past sessions. The New Mexico legislature should reject any rollbacks, including a tax subsidy for the proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant and regulatory rollbacks.
In order to make this year’s legislative session a success, it takes active citizen involvement: coming to the Roundhouse, sitting in on committee votes or calling or emailing your legislator. Go to http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/ to find out who your legislators are and how to contact them and to follow the bills on your wish list during the 2008 legislative session.
For more information, please contact Lauren Ketcham, Environment
Comments
Got something to say?
