Democracy for New Mexico

Eric Griego, President Obama, Martin Luther King

Today January 21, 2013, just another day in the billions of years this planet has been spinning in the universe. The sun will came up and the sun will go down. The sun will rise tomorrow. I find comfort in this regular knowledge.

This weekend one of our own leaders within our NM progressive community had his family stricken with senseless tragic violence. Eric Griego, Abq City Councilor, NM State Senator and former Congressional candidate for CD1 had his brother killed and his sister in law, and two of his nephews and a niece killed by their brother. Five of Eric's family are gone. The tragedy, hearing about this tragedy made me cry. I cried and cried. I wrote this yesterday after hearing this horrible information:

The sadness of loss and the depth of despair is an interesting journey. Today I found out that one of our progressive leaders Eric Griego had the ultimate tragedy hit his family. Sudden violent ends to his brother and his sister in law and nephews and nieces. Gone. Gone from the planet as we know them. My heart is broken. My heart is broken for the loss and pain for my brother Eric and his family. It comes to me in this moment of loss in our small community here in NM how much I love Eric and so many others. How this day will be a changing epic day for the rest of Eric’s life and all that love Eric and his family's life. Eric is a fighter for the underdog. He does not spend time dwelling in the world of the haves. If only his nephew had reached out to all the programs Eric has supported and kept alive. But no this young man could reach out to one thing that was handy in those hours and minutes, a gun. There is a fearlessness when we lose someone this close. A desire to hold on to life and work extra hard, or to let go of life. A fearless Eric Griego is exactly what this planet and NM and us livers needs right now. It is a painful tragic way to get there but it is what we need. We must not be succumbed with the mundane of life we must be fully engaged in the world of the living. We are our brothers keepers. I love you Eric and I love what you fight for. Healing fearless loving energy coming your way.

Inauguration day, the President took his oath of office today. He looked nervous to me, he looked like he is aware of the challenges ahead. His speech was great. To hear the President talk about climate change, gays and lesbians, the poor among us, the troubles that our country and indeed the world has, the end of war, the valor of peace. Together we can do this, together, together together.

MLK birthday too. Wow, what another man, one man that can move many. In the face of negative and pessimism, hostility, hate, violence.  A MLK quote: We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Personally I do not have much time these days to write posts, or follow things that keep this blog alive and active. I too am following my life's path. After running for the State Representative seat here in District 30, and not succeeding but learning much, I am following a new path a new journey. I spent months talking real and listening to people at every door that people would open and discussing there worries, hopes and fears. I really saw and believed that we can change things, together. My desire to help others is still very much alive but I must first help myself by getting full time employment. After losing my livelihood and then my partner, I am finding myself.

We never know where our journey will lead us. When we will be taken off this planet, when we will be shaken up in our day to day existence without any warning at all. It is at these trying times that we are the best of being human, hold on, hold on together. Carpe diem with love.

Lincoln the Movie See It

Lincoln the movie wow! I must have been sick that day in social studies/history class, I totally forgot that President Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. A republican who believed in equality and justice. No one is equal until we are all equal, what a concept.

"As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it, "All men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, "All men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some other country where they make no pretense of loving liberty - to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, without the base alloy of hypocrisy." Abraham Lincoln 16th President of USA 

Where have we gone as a people? We just go along to get along. Is there any courage displayed by anyone today to tackle the problems at hand?

Think of what we could do if someone would lead. How about the Equal Rights Amendment for starters for a quick recap of the ERA see this link.  Why not have women be equal?

How about full equality for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender people? One of the most touching parts of the movie was when Republican Thaddeus Stevens went home to his biracial lover, and housekeeper and brought her the 13th amendment document for her to read to him in bed. Ah the secrets we humans keep?

How about stopping the military machine and have our service people come back to this country. Talk about years and years of senseless killing. Check out the arm to arm brutal battles of the Civil War, reenacted in the movie, maybe if we still fought like this we would stop. Let's stop funding the military machine. Stop funding the greed of war. Hey we are going broke funding this war machine, there are no more jobs, all the money is gone. We are still funding the Aghan war to the tune of 1 to 2 bil per week. Per week! Imagine this money here, where on earth is this money going? Does anyone else see a connection to our deficit?

Not to say that the 13th Amendment was the end all for equal rights for our African American citizens. Far far from it, the battle for equal rights for all continues well into the 21st century. When will the people who control all the power, which is old white men, let's face it, when will they give up some of their greed and power to other humans?  

We need real leaders with real soul and spirit. We need to hold our elected leaders accountable NOW.

PS. Yes it is remarkable and showing of our progress as a people to have President Obama elected for his second term in 2012. But we learned in his first term that we have got to keep bearing pressure on him. He is partly the resulting dream of President Lincoln, now let President Obama be a leader for all of us. Lead the Congress, lead us out of our current wars, lead equality for all, lead the fight for all to be educated, lead the fight of our equal justice in this country. Lead the fight against greed.

DREAM Act Realized Finally for Some

Image to the right is from ; artist, cartoonist, writer.

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) is an American legislative proposal first introduced in the Senate on August 1, 2001. To read the history of the DREAM Act please see this wikipedia link.

This new direction will affect nearly 800,000 humans who live with fear of deportation from the US. In 2011 ICE deported 396,906 people and is exceeding that record high this year. While researching how many young immigrants have been deported since 2008 I came across this website; We Dream, We act with this article Undocumented Youth Sit-In at OFA Denver Office . Their demand was finally heard: "We need the strength of an executive order to stop our deportations. Prosecutorial discretion has not stopped them."

Thank God for elections so some of these injustices can be acted on finally. Obama is addressing the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials' annual conference next week. The hispanic/latino vote is critical to Obama's re-election. For whatever reason the President's administration decided to act on this sensible legislation and pass an executive order, he is to be commended. Just imagine the joy running through so many hearts today that their DREAM now can be realized.

Image above from We Dream We Act by J. Valas

Below is the press release from the DHS:

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced that effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children,  do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

“Our nation’s immigration laws must be enforced in a firm and sensible manner,” said Secretary Napolitano. “But they are not designed to be blindly enforced without consideration given to the individual circumstances of each case. Nor are they designed to remove productive young people to countries where they may not have lived or even speak the language. Discretion, which is used in so many other areas, is especially justified here.”

DHS continues to focus its enforcement resources on the removal of individuals who pose a national security or public safety risk, including immigrants convicted of crimes, violent criminals, felons, and repeat immigration law offenders. Today’s action further enhances the Department’s ability to focus on these priority removals.

Under this directive, individuals who demonstrate that they meet the following criteria will be eligible for an exercise of discretion, specifically deferred action, on a case-by-case basis:

1.)    Came to the United States under the age of sixteen;
2.)    Have continuously resided in the United States for a least five years preceding the date of this memorandum and are present in the United States on the date of this memorandum;
3.)    Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education
development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
4.)    Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
5.)    Are not above the age of thirty.

Only those individuals who can prove through verifiable documentation that they meet these criteria will be eligible for deferred action.  Individuals will not be eligible if they are not currently in the United States and cannot prove that they have been physically present in the United States for a period of not less than 5 years immediately preceding today’s date.  Deferred action requests are decided on a case-by-case basis.  DHS cannot provide any assurance that all such requests will be granted. The use of prosecutorial discretion confers no substantive right, immigration status, or pathway to citizenship. Only the Congress, acting through its legislative authority, can confer these rights.

Clean Cars would Slash Oil Use and Pollution this Summer

As New Mexicans get ready for summer road trips, an Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center report finds that cleaner, more fuel efficient cars would significantly slash oil consumption and global warming pollution across the state. The report, Summer on the Road: Going Farther on a Gallon of Gas, was released as the Obama administration is on the verge of finalizing fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards for cars and light trucks that achieve a 54.5 mpg standard by 2025.

“As they plan their summer road trips to beautiful places like the Jemez, Manzano, or Organ Mountains, New Mexican families have enough to figure out—they shouldn’t have to worry about the gasoline they’re burning” said Sanders Moore, director at Environment New Mexico. “As hot as this summer is shaping up to be, the last thing we need is more oil burning in our cars and more global warming pollution heating up our atmosphere. But in some of the cars and trucks out there today, a gallon of gas disappears more quickly than a snowball in July. Let’s beat the heat by getting cleaner cars on the road with the Obama administration’s proposed standard."

If the cars and trucks on the road today met the proposed 54.5 mpg standard, it would slash statewide oil dependence by more than 142 million gallons and cut our global warming pollution by 1.2 million metric tons this summer alone. That’s the equivalent of taking more than one coal plant offline for the whole summer. Those savings mean we would burn less cash too, saving the average New Mexico family $664 at the pump in a summer.

“Not only could you take that trip to the Organ Mountains without worrying about the impacts of the oil you’re burning along the way, but you could book the family a hotel for a couple of extra days with the money you’re saving,” added Cross. “The only solution that will relieve the pain we’re feeling at the pump is the one that will protect New Mexico’s environment and health too. Our oil dependence doesn’t just cost us at the pump—it threatens our shores with spills like the disaster in the Gulf, spews toxic pollution into our air, and contributes more to global warming than any other fuel. We simply need to get off oil, and a strong, 54.5 mpg clean car standard would be the single biggest step we’ve ever taken. We applaud the Obama administration for its work to make these benefits a reality.”

“All the better, drivers do not have to wait until 2025 to reap the benefits of cleaner cars,” noted Moore, citing the Natural Resources Defense Council’s related report, Relieving Pain at the Pump. “Thanks to the Obama administration’s first phase of standards that took effect this year, a bumper crop of fuel efficient cars have already started coming to the showroom floor.” The number of models getting more than 30 mpg has tripled since the first phase of standards for years 2012 through 2016 were announced.

President Obama proposed the new 54.5 mpg standard this past fall. The proposal has the support of 13 major automakers, as well as the United Auto Workers and numerous environmental and consumer groups. These national standards grew out of the leadership of 14 states, led by California and including New Mexico, which previously adopted state-level standards.

USDA Taps Lawrence Rael for Top Post in New Mexico

May 14, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment for State Executive Director (SED) of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Mexico. The secretary has tapped Lawrence Rael to serve the Obama Administration in this capacity.

The Farm Service Agency administers federal farm policy as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices. FSA programs are designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and help agricultural producers adjust production to meet demand. Economically, the desired result of these programs is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both producer and consumer.

As the State Executive Director for the New Mexico FSA, Rael will oversee all aspects of federal farm program delivery for an agency that employs nearly 1700 people and on average, issues more than $100 million annually in commodity, conservation, disaster and credit benefits to farmers and ranchers across the state.

“FSA plays a vital role in the economic viability of rural America. As the State Executive Director in New Mexico, I have a significant responsibility to insure the Agency is making wise use of taxpayer dollars and that our employees are provided the fiscal and human resources necessary to efficiently and effectively deliver our programs to the state’s agricultural producers,” said Rael.

Rael is a native New Mexican and life-long public servant. Rael served as the Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) for eight years. While holding this position he was responsible for the comprehensive planning and development programs for twenty-seven local governments in the region. Prior to working with MRCOG, he spent twelve years as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque. While there, he coordinated the City of Albuquerque’s purchase of the Elena Gallegos land grant to preserve the area along the base of the Sandia Mountains, helped expand the Petroglyph National Monument, and preserve wetlands in the Rio Grande Valley. Rael also served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Jeff Bingaman, Acting Deputy Secretary for the New Mexico Transportation Department, and State Program Director for New Mexico Employment Security Dept. He received his degree from the University of New Mexico.

Rael and his wife Kim have three children and reside in Los Ranchos.

President Obama: "Same Sex Couples Should Be able to get Married"

Exciting news for the gays and lesbians today, May 9, 2012. The President of the United States declared that "same sex couples should be able to get married." President Obama made this statement on ABC. ABC has a great write up about the interview and the timeline of Obama evolving acceptance of same sex marriage.

To go right to the video cut and paste this link into your browser: https://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/29242313

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that 'don't ask, don't tell' is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told Roberts in an interview to appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

Meanwhile the Republicans remain on the wrong side of history. Republican Romney made this statement today " I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name." Romney made his statement in Colorado. You can see his interview along with video here: https://kdvr.com/2012/05/08/romney-to-speak-on-energy-in-fort-lupton-wednesday/. Also, Huff post has a great article here regarding today's Marriage Equality developments.

After last nights North Carolina vote to write into their constitution that marriage is between a man and woman. This comes as welcome news. Here is a link to another Huff Post article describing the vote which occurred in North Carolina yesterday. It looks like this hateful vote yesterday in NC could have spurred the POTUS on to come out in favor of same sex marriage. So maybe there is a silver lining to this horrible result in North Carolina.

As for me, a lesbian having a committed relationship for 23 years only to have Barb pass away only 4 1/2 short months ago, I feel regret and joy with this historical news. Regret that Barb and I could never marry, regret that we could not share in each others life savings in social security as committed married couples can. Regret that when I picked up my lovers death certificate, it said "Never Married" which is the biggest slap in the face of all, because Barb was the most committed loving protective partner marriage could ever find. Most of all regret Barb is not here to enjoy President Obama's words of acceptance with me.

Barb and I: 4 years ago at rally on civic plaza abq protesting against CA Prop 8.

Joy for young lovers and old lovers. Joy that we are one step closer to normalization of our relationships. Joy that the children of these couples are one step closer to being accepted. Joy that gay and lesbian couples know that our President Obama sees us and hears us, acknowledges us. We are accepted as part of the committed to another loving human community.

This truely is a "It gets better" day.

Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline

DemocracyforNewMexico usually does not put up direct press releases from the White House. However, this news is too exciting for many of our readers and for our beautiful earth. Lora Lucero has written about it before on our blog. Although maybe the language is misguided below at least the damn thing is stopped for now. One win for the planet earth and it's occupants.
Thank you President Obama!

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2012

Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline

Earlier today, I received the Secretary of State’s recommendation on the pending application for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.  As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment.  As a result, the Secretary of State has recommended that the application be denied.  And after reviewing the State Department’s report, I agree.

This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people.  I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.  Under my Administration, domestic oil and natural gas production is up, while imports of foreign oil are down.  In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico – even as we set higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks and invest in alternatives like biofuels and natural gas.  And we will do so in a way that benefits American workers and businesses without risking the health and safety of the American people and the environment.

New Political Party Emerging: The Justice Party with a New Presidential Candidate

There is a new political party emerging within the United States. The Party is called the Justice Party. How much more betrayal can we take.

Amy Goodman of Democracy NOW interviewed Rocky Anderson. Rocky Anderson recently announced his candidacy for President under the Justice Party. You can read and hear the complete interview here.

"A new political party has entered the fray as an alternative to Democrats and Republicans ahead of the 2012 elections. On Monday, former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson announced he will run for president with the newly formed Justice Party."

Bill Moyers and other important and knowledgeable progressives weigh in on this Common Dreams article. This article lays out many powerful reasons why Obama must be challenged and how the two parties are really one anymore, so the Justice Party is really adhereing to a two party system. This Party is being formed for the long term as well as the short term. For Progressive ideals and to support getting big corporate money out of politics.

To learn more about Rocky Anderson for President visit his website here.

And Lastly has Obama gone too far with the indefinite detention? Is this the last straw? Will they come get me for writing this peice? Who determines what is terrorism? Slippery slope. Imagine if Bush did this. Watch this:

White House Honors Tiffany Calabaza as a "Champion of Change"

Two of the Native American youth to be honored are from the Land of Enchantment, be proud New Mexico!  Below is the press release from the White House:

On Thursday, December 1^st, eleven Native American Youth leaders will be honored at the White House as Champions of Change. These young people are Champions in their tribes and communities as they work to improve the lives of those around them through innovative programs that help others, raise awareness of important issues like suicide and bullying prevention, energy efficiency and healthy eating.

“The ‘Champions of Change’ for Native American youth are here to share their stories and to attend the White House Tribal Nations Conference.  They are examples of the generation that will build a stronger future for Indian Country by continuing to address the challenges facing American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Charlie Galbraith.

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists, are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities.

Tiffany Calabaza is one of the outstanding young Americans who was selected from a group of hundreds who answered President Obama’s call to share their stories of leadership and community service.  To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 12:00 pm ET December 1^st.   There will also be a Twitter Q & A session with the Champs and Jon Carson (@JonCarson44) that will begin at 1:30 pm ET. 

Tiffany Calabaza is currently a student at Colorado College and has helped bring renewable energy technology to her hometown of Kewa, New Mexico. Tiffany worked with her advisor and others at Colorado College along with tribal community members and tribal community leaders on education and development of the energy technology. Through her community based research, everyone agreed upon converting one of their community windmills into a solar water pumping station which will pump ground water in a more efficient fashion allowing livestock and other small wildlife to have a source of drinking water. The project continues to involve both Colorado College students as well as Kewa tribal members. The goal is to educate her community on renewable energy technologies so that it will raise awareness on the efficiency and benefits of engaging with this technology.  Overall, Tiffany’s goal is to provide her people with solutions to allow the cattle to spread evenly throughout the rangelands and avoid over grazing, preventing further damage to our land.

White House Honors Jemez Pueblo Emmet Yepa as a “Champion of Change”

Two of the Native American youth to be honored are from the Land of Enchantment, be proud New Mexico!  Below is the press release from the White House:

Today, Thursday, December 1^st, eleven Native American Youth leaders will be honored at the White House as Champions of Change. These young people are Champions in their tribes and communities as they work to improve the lives of those around them through innovative programs that help others, raise awareness of important issues like suicide and bullying prevention, energy efficiency and healthy eating.

“The ‘Champions of Change’ for Native American youth are here to share their stories and to attend the White House Tribal Nations Conference.  They are examples of the generation that will build a stronger future for Indian Country by continuing to address the challenges facing American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Charlie Galbraith.

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists, are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities.

Emmet Yepa is one of the outstanding young Americans who was selected from a group of hundreds who answered President Obama’s call to share their stories of leadership and community service.  To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 12:00 pm ET December 1^st. There will also be a Twitter Q & A session with the Champs and Jon Carson (@JonCarson44) that will begin at 1:30 pm ET. 

Emmet Yepa from the Jemez Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, is an environmental advocate in his tribe and wants to find solutions to help educate his people and future generations about the importance of recycling. Emmet helped to form the Walatowa Green Stars Recyclying Group in 2010 which consists of four youth members and is focused on preserving and keeping their ancestral lands beautiful through recycling. Despite initial challenges to get approval, the Green Stars persisted and currently educate students at local schools and have implemented recycling bins in designated areas within their Pueblo. Since 2010, Walatowa Green Stars had been recognized with numerous awards and given opportunities to speak at local and national conferences.  Emmet’s ultimate goal is for his tribe to eventually have its very own Recycling Center.

DFNM found the video below on youtube: A PSA of the Green Stars.

10/12: Register Now For White House Hispanic Community Action Summit in ABQ

From the White House:
It is our pleasure to invite you to join us at the White House Hispanic Community Action Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The summit, free and open to the public, will take place at the Pete V. Domenici Education Center of the National Hispanic Cultural Center located at 1701 Fourth Street SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102.

Register for the summit here. 

The gathering is designed to connect senior Obama Administration officials from a wide array of policy areas with Hispanic leaders, business owners, and local officials to discuss issues critical to the Hispanic community, New Mexico, and the nation. The summit is part of a series currently taking place across the country.

This regional gathering follows summits held in , NM, Las Vegas, NV, Orlando, FL, and a White House Hispanic Public Policy Conference held in Washington, D.C. in July. As with prior meetings, the event in Albuquerque will provide an opportunity for you to interact with senior Administration officials on important issues ranging from jobs and the economy to education, health care, and fixing the broken immigration system so that we meet our nation's 21st-century economic and security needs.

The summit will consist of an innovative open space dialogue where you will work together with other participants to define the agenda and shape the format. Local leaders and Administration officials will welcome participants in the morning plenary on Tuesday.

Register for the summit here. 

The goals for this summit are:

1. Relationship Building-Connecting Latino leaders to key Administration decisionmakers;
2. Obama Administration 101-Ensuring folks gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted ways this Administration's agenda connects to the Hispanic community; and
3. Working Together-Allowing participants to connect with each other and Administration officials to address how we improve access and outcomes for the Hispanic community.

Read the blogs from previous events here.

Contact Jose Rico at WhiteHouseforHispanicEducation@ed.gov or Mayra Acevedo of Partnership for Community Action at ma.a.acevedo@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

NM Business Leaders Urge Secretary Salazar to Support Responsible Clean Energy Development on Public Lands

On the heels of a successful statewide renewable energy conference, the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce announced this week that 31 New Mexico business leaders have sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, encouraging him to support the development of clean-energy projects on New Mexico's public, private, and Tribal lands for the benefit of the state's economy and environment. The complete text of the letter can be found here (pdf).

"These New Mexico businesses believe responsible clean-energy development on our state's abundant public lands will help spur economic growth and job creation, and urge Secretary Salazar to push on this transition to a new clean-energy economy," said Allan Oliver, CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.

The New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce's September conference in Las Cruces attracted 200 business leaders, representatives of industry, government, higher education, and research laboratories, as well as policy-makers from across the state and region.

Interior Department Adviser Alan Gilbert was a keynote speaker, and carried a message from the Secretary: "Encouraging new sources of renewable energy for our country on our public lands is a high priority for President Obama and Secretary Salazar, both for the energy people will be able to use and for the jobs these new and important businesses will bring."

To encourage a continued conversation with Secretary Salazar, New Mexico business leaders this month sent a letter to him asking that he work with them to "create local jobs while protecting our national treasures," adding that "New Mexico has some of the best clean energy resources in the nation but we are behind other states in harnessing new energy development... We would welcome the opportunity to work with you to develop additional new projects in New Mexico that meet your goals to both build America's new energy future and protect our treasured landscapes."

"This letter to the Secretary underscores the commitment of New Mexico's business leaders to clean energy," Oliver added, "and reflects our ambition for New Mexico to be a leader in the responsible transition to job-creating renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biofuels."

According to the Brookings Institution, New Mexico has over 17,000 clean economy jobs, with each job producing approximately $10,000 in exports on average, but ranks 36th in the nation in the overall size of its green economy industry.