Democracy for New Mexico

NM Sierra Club to Candidates: “You Have the Power2Change”

Left to right: David Melton of Sacred Power; Albuquerque City Councilor Rey Garduno; Odes Armijo-Caster of Sacred Power; and Michael Casaus, Sierra Club Southwest Regional Representative

At a press conference last week in Albuquerque in front of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Solar Carport with city government and renewable energy business leaders (above), the New Mexico Sierra Club launched a new effort to educate the public about what is at stake in the 2008 elections. Part of a national effort focused in nine states, the Power2Change campaign aims to educate the public and candidates about what is at stake in the 2008 elections; by defining the contrast between competing visions of our energy future -– positioning clean energy as an economic driver, and challenging candidates up and down the ballot, including the new President –- to move America towards a clean energy economy.

“The choices we make in 2008 will define our future, especially when it comes to the election and energy issues,” said Michael Casaus, the Sierra Club’s Southwest Regional Representative. “The contrast could not be sharper -– we can move forward to a clean energy economy that creates jobs, saves consumers money and solves global warming, or we can continue the expensive, polluting policies of the past.”

The Power2Change campaign involves a new grassroots organizing effort in the community. Over the next four weeks, the New Mexico Sierra Club activists will document and release examples of clean and polluting energy sites within each state, collect and deliver petition signatures demanding elected officials help build a clean energy economy, and recruit volunteers to meet with elected, business and community leaders and to participate in the many Earth Day events from April 16th through April 27th.

The Sierra Club’s Power 2 Change Report highlights examples of clean energy leaders and their polluting opponents, with a specific section focusing on New Mexico. There is a tremendous potential for renewable energy production in the Land of Enchantment, and more manufacturing companies such as Schott North America, Inc. are locating here for that reason. Proposed coal power production and uranium mining on Navajo and Pueblo Indian lands, on the other hand, exemplify the backwards energy choices that will threaten the health of communities and condemn our children to the worst consequences of climate change. The full report is available to read here or to download here (pdf).

“We’ve got a message for candidates at every level that we have the power to change direction,” said Michael Casaus. “We have the technology, know-how and power to build a clean energy future. What we have lacked is the political will and leadership. We need to challenge all our elected officials, including the next President, to provide the leadership we need to move us forward.”

1Sky Launches First Action: Ask Heather Wilson to Sign Global Warming Pledge

If you're not yet familiar with 1Sky New Mexico, you should be. According to their website, "1Sky is an effort to galvanize a more powerful climate movement. It is not a new institution or even a coalition. Its purpose is to communicate a positive vision and a clear, simple set of goals and policy initiatives that are commensurate with the scale of the climate challenge, and to build the necessary power to solve global warming and put America on a new path for energy. 1Sky New Mexico is a project of New Energy Economy and is intended to aggregate the power of those concerned about climate and energy." Click to learn more about their team.

1Sky is holding its first action event in the state -- B.Y.O. Blue -- on Friday, March 28, at 10:00 AM at the Albuquerque office of Rep. Heather Wilson at 20 First Plaza NW. You're invited to join other advocates for solutions to global warming at a press conference and rally highlighting Rep. Wilson's record on climate change -- and urge her to take the 1Sky pledge:

I support the solutions to global warming that will protect our society and future generations from climate change and will create a new energy economy. In particular, I support:

• The creation of five million new green jobs;
• A science-based reduction of emissions of at least 25% by 2020; and
• A moratorium on all new coal-fired power plants nationwide.

Participants are being asked to wear blue in solidarity for blue skies and a moratorium on coal-fired power plants in New Mexico. You can learn more about 1Sky and the pledge from Juan Reynosa's post at Clearly New Mexico, and add your name to the pledge here.

Save La Bajada Mesa from Strip Mining

From Save La Bajada Mesa:
The Railrunner is being used as an excuse to start strip mining historic, scenic La Bajada Mesa. The application (dated Jan. 30, 08) discloses that the operation would not be limited to ballast for the Railrunner (which is expected to be built by the end of 2008). The application has things in common with the last application to mine in 2005. That application was withdrawn. Buildology has become Rockology, same applicant, Steven Hooper. The land owners Peter Naumburg and Hugh Graham of Buena Vista LLC, are the same. This application, submitted by agent James Siebert, is for 50 acres. Water is required by law for dust control. They have proposed trucking 80,000 gallons a month from Cohiba Club LLC (near La Bajada Village). Off site water should not meet the County's standards for a secure source. Their temporary permit only goes until Sep. 6, 2008!

ROCKOLOGY WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING: Monday April 7, 6:00 PM, Turquoise Trail Elementary School, along NM 14. The applicants hope to bring the proposal before “the next available County Development Review Committee meeting”—this could be April 17th.

TAKE ACTION: Contact Gov. Richardson and Santa Fe County Commissioners. Tell them the Railrunner should not be used to jump start the strip-mining of historic, scenic, and culturally significant La Bajada Mesa.

La Bajada Mesa, listed by the NMHPA as a Most Endangered Place, is the gateway to Santa Fe and
needs to be a protected viewscape. www.nmheritage.org/endangered/2003.php?ID=72

We don’t need two gravel operations on Waldo Canyon Rd at the entrance to the Galisteo Basin park
lands. Similar, if not superior construction materials are available within the same “vicinity” from an
established facility (Espanola Mercantile’s Waldo Quarry located in the Cerrillos Hills).

The applicant is seeking to rezone a portion of La Bajada Mesa from agriculture/residential to mining
for its narrowly focused economic interests. Any such large mining zone would likely be subject to
expansion. The whole mesa is capped by basalt. Example: in 2002 JR Hale Contracting proposed a 500
acre strip-mine there.

The current owners have no protected rights to demand a rezoning as they purchased the property with
the current zoning in place. No adverse action has been taken by Santa Fe County that impairs the
economic value of their property (which is also up for sale). The County has no obligation to enhance
the value of the property to the detriment of the County and State as a whole.

• Visit website: www.savelabajadamesa.org
• See FLYER
• Sign up for email alerts: savelabajadamesa@earthlink.net 

LCV and CVNM Endorse Martin Heinrich for Congress

The League of Conservation Voters and Conservation Voters New Mexico have announced their joint endorsement of Albuquerque City Councilman Martin Heinrich for New Mexico's 1st District seat. The seat is currently held by Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a longtime enemy of the environment and two-time Dirty Dozen member. For more information on the Dirty Dozen, click here.

"Councilman Heinrich's commitment to conservation extends beyond his council votes," said LCV President Gene Karpinski. "Not only did he fight to bring curbside recycling back to Albuquerque, he helped build a solar car in college. Not only has he stood firm to protect the Bosque and Valle Vidal, his own home is powered by renewable energy. When elected, Martin Heinrich will be one of the greatest conservation champions in Washington and a tremendous improvement for both Albuquerque and the nation."

"Since elected to public office, Martin Heinrich has been a staunch advocate for conservation and New Mexico's wild spaces," said Sandy Buffett of Conservation Voters New Mexico. "We are thrilled that Martin will take his commitment to conservation and his profound understanding of New Mexico's unique issues with him to Washington."

"I am honored by the support of the conservation community and look forward to working with LCV to create a green economy here in greater Albuquerque," Heinrich said.

In response to an LCV questionnaire, Heinrich, a former Natural Resources Trustee for the State of New Mexico, pledged to:

• Seek a seat on the House energy committee to help create an Apollo Program for energy independence and to fight for the use and development of wind and solar energy;
• Support legislation that achieves 15 to 20 % reductions in global warming pollution by 2020 and reductions on the order of 80% by 2050;
• Actively seek legislation to encourage green building, such as the bill he championed and passed in the Albuquerque City Council, and   
• Work to bring land and water conservation issues to the forefront and to use his experience as a conservationist to protect America's wild spaces.

Heinrich has worked with Governor Richardson and Congressman Udall to protect many of New Mexico's wild spaces, including Tijeras Canyon, the Valle Vidal, the Bosque, Petroglyph National Monument, and the Ojito Wilderness. As a councilman, he helped create tax incentives for hybrid vehicles in Albuquerque. In his previous work experience, he helped introduce urban children to the natural environment and to protect the endangered Mexican gray wolf.

The Heinrich campaign is currently trying to raise an additional $15,000 by Midnight on March 31, 2008. Click to contribute or RSVP to attend an fundraising event, including a victory party tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25 at O'Neill's Pub on Central.

To see our previous posts on the NM-01 race, visit our archive.

3/25 Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Event Postponed

From Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund:

RESCHEDULING the Tuesday, March 25th Announcement of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's New TV Ad and Senate Campaign

Dear New Mexico Progressive Activists,
I regret to inform you that the lunch-hour press conference scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 12:00 PM to unveil the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's new TV ad and website targeting the U.S. Senate race is being postponed to a later date in the very near future to strengthen their quality of effectiveness. I will be sure to let you know once the rescheduled date and time is confirmed. I apologize for any inconvenience, and please feel free to contact me for any questions.

Sincerely,
Ed Yoon, New Mexico Campaign Manager
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org
(505) 248-0118, Ext. 3

Bill McKibben: Talk and Booksigning on 'Deep Economy'

Albuquerque independent bookstore will host environmental realist and journalist Bill McKibben at UNM's SUB Ballroom A & B in Albuquerque at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 to talk about and sign his new book, Deep Economy. Challenging the prevailing wisdom that the goal of economies should be unlimited growth, McKibben argues that the world doesn't have enough natural resources to sustain endless economic expansion and looks at news ways to structure our civilizations. If we are to thrive or even survive within the fragile balance of nature, our definitions of concepts like "wealth"  and "growth" and "progress" must change dramatically.

A thoughtful post at The Blue Voice about the coming of the Vernal Equinox talks about McKibben's alarming but action-oriented message about the state of Planet Earth and ways we might counter the dire effects of global warming and learn to live in a manner that minimizes damage to the environment, while actually bolstering our sense of community and increasing our emotional and spiritual fulfillment.

As we find ourselves enmeshed in the dizzy day-to-day, a presidential race for the ages, mounting economic worries and complicated choices regarding Iraq and other pressing issues, a much more serious global (in every sense) question looms: how can we create sustainable communities to mitigate and survive what we know is coming as a direct result of how we've been living for the past hundred years or so?

Deep Economy tackles these issues head on:

In this powerful and provocative manifesto, Bill McKibben offers the biggest challenge in a generation to the prevailing view of our economy. For the first time in human history, he observes, "more" is no longer synonymous with "better"—indeed, for many of us, they have become almost opposites. McKibben puts forward a new way to think about the things we buy, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the money that pays for it all. Our purchases, he says, need not be at odds with the things we truly value.

McKibben's animating idea is that we need to move beyond "growth" as the paramount economic ideal and pursue prosperity in a more local direction, with cities, suburbs, and regions producing more of their own food, generating more of their own energy, and even creating more of their own culture and entertainment. He shows this concept blossoming around the world with striking results, from the burgeoning economies of India and China to the more mature societies of Europe and New England. For those who worry about environmental threats, he offers a route out of the worst of those problems; for those who wonder if there isn't something more to life than buying, he provides the insight to think about one's life as an individual and as a member of a larger community. 

... As McKibben sees it, three fundamental challenges to the fixation on growth have emerged. First, we are producing more inequality than prosperity, more insecurity than progress. Second, we do not have the energy needed to keep producing more at our current rate. And third, growth is no longer making us happy. The title of DEEP ECONOMY is drawn from “deep ecology,” a term coined a generation ago by environmentalists who advocated for more attention to be paid to the choices that we make in our daily lives, rather than coming up with another set of laws as Band-Aids against environmental damage. Now, as we address economic issues as they relate to our environment and community, McKibben urges a similar shift in our thinking. He offers a realistic, if challenging, scenario for a hopeful future. As he so eloquently shows, the more we nurture the essential humanity of our economy, the more we will recapture our own.

Besides being a prolific writer, McKibben is a creative environmental activist:

In late summer 2006, Bill helped lead a five-day walk across Vermont to demand action on global warming that some newspaper accounts called the largest demonstration to date in America about climate change. Beginning in January 2007 he founded stepitup07.org to demand that Congress enact curbs on carbon emissions that would cut global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050. With six college students, he organized 1,400 global warming demonstrations across all 50 states of America on April 14, 2007. Step It Up 2007 has been described as the largest day of protest about climate change in the nation's history. A guide to help people initiate environmental activism in their community coming out of the Step It Up 2007 experience entitled Fight Global Warming Now was published in October 2007 and a second day of action on climate change was held the following November 3.

As we move into Spring and experience once more the awakening and greening of our high desert ecosystems, it seems like a perfect time to share some time with McKibben and his ideas for creating Deep Economy.

Rep. Tom Udall Responds to Endorsements of LCV and Conservation Voters New Mexico

Santa Fe, NM – At a Roundhouse press conference today, Congressman Tom Udall proudly accepted endorsements for his U.S. Senate campaign from two leading conservation groups, while outlining a number of common-sense proposals for energy independence. Udall was joined at the press conference by League of Conservation Voters national President Gene Karpinski and Conservation Voters of New Mexico Director Sandy Buffett.

"I am honored to accept these endorsements today," Udall said. "Fighting to protect our natural resources is not just a political issue for me –- it has been a lifelong commitment of mine, and I look forward to continuing the fight for conservation and energy independence in the United States Senate."

Rep. Udall (right) greeting Dems at NM Preprimary Convention

Udall, who has long been as a champion of policies to protect New Mexico's treasured landscapes like the Valle Vidal, spur national policies to promote renewable energy and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil, continued, and spoke of the initiatives he has championed in the House and also looks forward to taking-on in the Senate.

"As a United States Senator, I will continue the fight to end our fossil fuel addiction, develop alternative sources of energy, secure our energy independence and reduce green house gas emissions in the Senate. For me, and so many New Mexicans, these are more than buzzwords, they are the economic future of New Mexico and the moral imperative of this country."

Touching on what he called three common-sense proposals, Udall said he said will not only help redefine the way we look at energy, but do so in a way that creates jobs:

The first is his plan to establish a federal Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), under which big electric utilities would be required to chip in by providing 15 percent of their electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by 2020.

"Not only will this help us meet our growing demand for electricity –- it will create thousands of jobs, lower energy prices, a nation less dependent on foreign oil and significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions," Udall said. "This plan would also revitalize rural America by helping farmers and rural land owners by creating a new revenue stream for their future."

Udall fought for the inclusion of an RES, which passed the House twice despite long odds last year, in the Energy bill last year. But as he said, "It died at the hands of a slim minority in the Senate."

The congressman also spoke of a plan to keep extending renewable energy and efficiency tax credits to promote stable growth in the industry.

"Not only would these tax credits translate into a reduction in residential and commercial energy costs, but they generate new domestic green collar jobs, and boost the economy," said Udall. "Renewable energy sources are proven economic engines for our country."

Finally, Udall also promised to continue his work to ensure the government does its share to reduce its carbon footprint by encouraging "Green Building," on the federal and commercial level.

"The plan I have successfully championed requires improved Federal and commercial building energy efficiency, with green building standards for new federal buildings and a zero net energy initiative to develop technologies, practices and policies to reach the goal of having all commercial buildings use no net energy by 2050. We've accomplished much in this area, but we can and must do more.

He said that the government should extend and expand tax credits for individuals, builders and businesses that use energy-saving technologies and applauded the efforts already underway in New Mexico.

Udall's father Stewart was Interior Secretary under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and his uncle Morris spent three decades in the Congress working on these issues. Udall currently serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment.

Click to visit Rep. Udall's Senate campaign website.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 U.S. Senate race in New Mexico, visit our archive.

LCV and Conservation Voters New Mexico Endorse Tom Udall for U.S. Senate

From the League of Conservation Voters:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The League of Conservation Voters and Conservation Voters New Mexico announced today their joint endorsement of Congressman Tom Udall for the U.S. Senate, citing Udall's unparalleled leadership in defending New Mexico's public lands and creating a clean, renewable energy future. 

"Tom Udall understands the need to develop clean, renewable energy, not just to defend against global warming, but to create jobs and increase the security of our country," LCV National President Gene Karpinski said. "And when it comes to protecting our lands, our water, our air, our health and our economy, Tom Udall ranks among the country's best legislators. We need real champions like Tom in the Senate, which is why this race is a national priority."

"The health and beauty of the Land of Enchantment have no greater champion than Congressman Udall," said Sandy Buffett of Conservation Voters New Mexico. "In Congress, his work has already helped protect the Valle Vidal from drilling and his support for renewable energy has created new green collar jobs here in the state."

"I am thrilled to accept this endorsement today from President Karpinski, Director Buffett and all the members of LCV and CVNM," said Udall. "I am even more thrilled at the chance to fight for these issues in the United States Senate. During my five terms of service in the House, I have been a leading voice in calling for our nation's efforts to end our fossil fuel addiction, develop alternative sources of energy, secure our energy independence and reduce green house gas emissions. For me, and so many New Mexicans, these are more than buzzwords, they are the economic future of New Mexico and the moral imperative of this country. As New Mexico's next Senator, I will fight to make them a reality."

Udall's lifetime League of Conservation Voters score of 96%  stands in stark contrast to his potential opponents Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce, whose lifetime scores are a disappointing 14% and 1% respectively. Pearce and Wilson have been on the wrong side of the debate on issue after issue, choosing to give tax-breaks to polluting industries instead of supporting a clean energy future.  For more information on LCV scores, visit www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Beyond his voting record, Congressman Udall shows true leadership in Washington on key conservation issues:

·   He founded the Peak Oil Caucus, a group of legislators dedicated to finding new solutions to our energy needs and investing in the solar and win technologies that will create thousands of green jobs here in New Mexico.

·   In 2004, he stood up to the Bush administration's efforts to gut the National Forest Management Act, defending unspoiled public lands here in New Mexico and across the country.

·   Most recently, in 2007 he led the charge to create a meaningful national renewable electricity standard, by first introducing a bipartisan and widely supported bill requiring utility companies to produce 20% of their electricity using clean, renewable sources by the year 2020, and then offering a 15% by 2020 amendment that passed the House twice, but was stripped from the final energy package by a small minority in the Senate. 

LCV, the nation's independent voice for the environment, engages in public education, lobbying and accountability to turn environmental values into public policy.  LCV has made global warming and America's energy future a central focus of its activities in Congress and in the 2008 election cycle.

UPDATED-POSTPONED: You're Invited: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Launch of Campaign to Support Tom Udall for U.S. Senate

UPDATE: These events have been postponed and will be rescheduled soon. See my later post.
***********
From Ed Yoon, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund:

Dear New Mexico Progressive Activists,

I invite you to join me and other progressive activists on Tuesday, March 25th in Albuquerque for a meaningful and fun press conference to formally launch Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund’s statewide campaign to defeat anti-conservation Republicans Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson and elect pro-conservation champion Democrat Tom Udall to the U.S. Senate.

At this press conference, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund will unveil our new TV ad, campaign website and literature, and also announce our state campaign headquarters. We will also have a fun camera-worthy visual activity to highlight our message. The media is expected to be present and your volunteer time will be well-spent and appreciated.

Training and message preparation will be provided for those who are interested in speaking to the media as volunteer participants for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. And we will provide free lunch since the event occurs during lunch break for many of you.

Please click here to RSVP or e-mail me at EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org.If you are with an organization, please be sure to indicate which so that we can try to connect further about collaborating in 2008, and to discuss how Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund can also be helpful to your efforts in the future.

What:
Press conference to formally kick-off Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund’s statewide campaign to elect Tom Udall to U.S. Senate, including the unveiling of its new TV ad, campaign website and literature, and campaign headquarters

When:
Tuesday, March 25th, 12:00 PM

Where:
Conference Room
1202 Pennsylvania Street NE, Albuquerque

Free lunch provided.

Thank you. Please click here to RSVP or e-mail me at EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org.

Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are two of the most extreme, out-of-touch, party-line right-wing Republicans in Congress that continue to serve the whims of wealthy corporate special interests before ordinary New Mexicans. Their tenure in Congress is marked by erosion of our economy, billions of tax payer dollars continuously being drained in the costly Iraqi civil war, pillaging of our natural resources for special interest profit, and putting shame on public services through their dishonorably unethical behaviors. Together, let’s send them packing in 2008 so that we can elect a true champion for New Mexican families and all-around good guy, Democrat Tom Udall, who will work tirelessly in the Senate to rebuild our economy, exit responsibly from Iraq, represent New Mexico’s western values, and protect our conservation heritage.

I greatly look forward to welcoming and meeting you in person on March 25th to start the exciting journey to win together in November. Even if you can not attend the event, I encourage you stay in touch with me.

Sincerely,
Ed Yoon
New Mexico Campaign Manager
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org
(505) 248-0118 Ext. 3

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.

Conservation Voters New Mexico Endorses Eric Griego for State Senate District 14

Speaking to Eric's pro-conservation record is Leanne Leith, CVNM's political director. That's Javier Benavidez, CVNM's outreach
coordinator (left), and Tim McGivern, former Weekly Alibi
editor (right) with Eric (far right).

Representatives of Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) announced the group's endorsement of Eric Griego for State Senate at last night's well-attended campaign fundraiser at Albuquerque's Artichoke Cafe. Shown are photos are from the event, and here's the statement released by CVNM on their support of Griego:

Conservation Voters New Mexico has endorsed Eric Griego in his campaign to challenge incumbent State Senator James Taylor, District 14, in Albuquerque.

“Eric Griego has a proven track record of effectively turning our state’s conservation values into successful public policies that protect the well-being and quality of life of all New Mexicans,” said Sandy Buffett, Executive Director of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “Eric has the leadership and commitment to stand up to the powerful special interests that threaten our communities,” added Buffett.

Eric speaks to crowd about the endorsement.

While serving as a City Councilor in Albuquerque, Griego sponsored many legislative initiatives important to the New Mexican values for which Conservation Voters New Mexico fights, including the Planned Growth Strategy (PGS) and efforts to protect the Sandia Mountains and the Valle Vidal. The PGS, along with its “pay-as-you-go” system of assessing new infrastructure impact fees to big developers, has helped to tackle Albuquerque’s problem with sprawl development and has helped guide public investment back into established areas of the City.

Part of crowd at Griego's fundraiser last night.

Griego also took on a tough fight to reform Albuquerque’s water policies to better meet the needs of the city’s residents without sacrificing the Rio Grande or the quality of life of future generations.

Conservation Voters New Mexico works to make the protection of our air, land, and water a top priority for elected officials, voters and candidates across the state. For more information on CVNM’s legislative priorities and accountability work, please visit www.cvnm.org.

For more information on Eric Griego’s campaign, visit his website. Whether you live in Senate District 14 or not, you can support Griego's candidacy by:

Making a donation (online or through the mail)

Hosting a house party

Encouraging your friends and family to support the campaign

Click on photos for larger versions. To read our previous coverage of 2008 NM Legislative races, visit our archive.