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New Mexico Has a Bright Future in Clean Energy

America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment New Mexico.

“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Molly Brook, Program Associate at Environment New Mexico. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for New Mexico.”

Environment New Mexico’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $142 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented.  This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution by what that scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.

“If we continue with business as usual – dirty energy and highways to nowhere – we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Brook. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Brook.

While the southwestern states have some of the nation’s greatest potential for solar energy production, every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy, according to the group. For example, small business and residential energy audits and retrofits in Albuquerque will generate new jobs by making buildings and homes more energy efficient.

Environment New Mexico’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.  Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand.

Environment New Mexico warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on New Mexico’s Congressmen and the rest of the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Brook.

The complete report can be found at: https://www.environmentnewmexico.org/reports/energy/energy-program-reports/clean-energy-bright-future#WQheyEQ8BYIDzS3YuqHaqg

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