Act Now to Help Cap Carbon Emissions in New Mexico

On March 1 (10am) your Sierra Club Chapter testifies before the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) with New Energy Economy and 15 other nonprofits asking EIB to set a cap on carbon, methane, and other green house gas emissions (GHG) for the state. We invite many members to join us. (Willie Ortiz Building - 2600 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe) Also, please send letters and e-mails. Read further for specifics.

You received e-mail notification asking members to show up in large numbers at the hearing. If you couldn’t attend, please send a letter, e-mail, or call saying you support EIB’s setting a science-based cap on green house gases to reduce emissions substantively by 2020. Your new Rio Grande Chapter website has suggested wording for letters and e-mails. (http://nmsierraclub.org/letters-to-eib/)
E-mails may be sent to: joyce.medina@state.nm.us

Why this testimony is important

We are asking the state to set a science-based cap on global warming emissions and to reduce emissions to reach science based levels. Should the EIB approve the petition, New Mexico would lead the nation with the strongest regulations in the United States and we would highlight what needs to be done to solve climate change. Most importantly, we would trigger enormous investments in renewable energy and lay a foundation for a new economic engine for our state.

The benefits of this regulation are numerous: thousands of jobs for the state, millions of dollars of investment in clean renewable energy, significant health improvements, environmental justice for rural communities, a just future for New Mexico’s youth, and a strong leadership model for our future.

Local opportunities

With weak outcomes from the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen, responsibility for climate recovery rests at the state and local levels of government. We in New Mexico can make a substantive difference nationally by taking the lead in reducing hazardous green house gases. It’s doable and the opportunity is before us now.

Proven demand

• In January 2010, investors representing $13 trillion called on policy makers to set strong policies – including a cap on carbon ‐ to address climate change.
• After the passage of California’s ambitious and comprehensive climate change policy, A.B. 32, venture capital investment almost tripled, from a little over $200 million to $580 million. Investments in solar technology, alone, resulted in 17,000 new jobs.
• Massachusetts also has passed a climate bill, and the number of jobs in Massachusetts’s solar energy industry nearly doubled from 2007 to 2008; the numbers are on pace to grow sharply again.

New Mexico has the 2nd most solar potential and 12th most wind potential in the nation. If we pass a strong cap on emissions, we will stimulate the renewable energy industry and create good jobs in areas that need them most. In addition to clean energy jobs, a carbon cap in NM will lead to large‐scale investment in energy efficiency, creating thousands of new jobs for the struggling construction industry.

Next steps:

Your efforts make a large impact. Please attend the hearing, stay in touch through our website, and watch for the June EIB hearing for expert testimony with Dr. James Hansen tentatively scheduled to present his findings.

Finally contact EIB today and let them know you want them to take this responsibility. Your new Rio Grande Chapter website has suggested wording for letters and e-mails. (http://nmsierraclub.org/letters-to-eib/)

Contacts:

Letters may be sent to Ms. Joyce Medina, Board Administrator, The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board, 1190 St. Francis Drive N2153, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
E-mails may be sent to: joyce.medina@state.nm.us.
Phone Calls may be made to 505-827-2425.

To learn more:

1. Look up your Chapter website for more extensive information.
Show your support for Limits on Carbon Emissions

2. Investors representing $13 trillion in assets call on policy makers to adopt strong emission reduction policies

3. Unlocking the Green Economy

4.Climate Change Impact on Southwestern United States