White House Urged to Speed Up NM Clean Energy Development

More of this, please, especially at a time when clean energy advocates are conducting civil disobedience demonstrations in front of the White House urging President Obama to stop the Canadian tar sands oil pipeline from the Canadian border to refineries on the Gulf coast.

Sacred Power Corp., a member of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, issued the following release yesterday:

Nearly a dozen New Mexico business leaders have written to the White House advocating that President Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar quickly transition to clean energy using public, private and tribal lands. David Melton, chief executive officer of Sacred Power Corp., delivered the letter and the message in person.

Before Obama left on vacation, he met with people at various stops in the Midwest. Melton, who visited with the president in Iowa, says the letter urges the president to work more quickly with tribal, federal, state and private partners to create local jobs while protecting national treasures using solar power.

Melton says, "Switching to solar would be good for the environment and add thousands of jobs to New Mexico's rural economy through the entire development process. You have the job creation at the module level, at the inverter level -- these are all large-scale manufacturing operations. You also have the integration level, the construction level, and finally, the operation level."

New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce President, Lawrence Rael, also commented on this job creation potential saying, "Responsible clean energy development on public lands offers great opportunity for green jobs in New Mexico. According to a recent New Mexico State University study, green jobs represent more than 35,000 New Mexico jobs and is a fast growing part of our economy."

The Interior Department is finalizing its plan for siting solar energy projects on public lands in six Western states. It has identified three study areas which encompass more than 100,000 acres as potential solar energy zones in New Mexico.

More nformation about the solar-energy zone locations is online at doi.gov.

The New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce creates new opportunities for business by advocating on behalf of renewable energy, strengthening local economies, and seizing the green business advantage. Our members believe in investing in people, protecting our air, land and water, and creating long-term profits. We are where profits and values meet. More information is available at www.nmgreenchamber.com.