Chapter Triumphs in Passage of Energy-Efficiency Legislation - Governor Signs Bill March 9

The Rio Grande Chapter has gained a significant legislative victory with the passage of SB200 Energy Efficient Public Building Standards sponsored by Senator Carlos Cisneros. Governor Bill Richardson signed this bill into law on March 9.

The bill, which was conceived by the Chapter and forwarded by us for the last three sessions, passed the Senate 37-2 and passed the House unanimously. It now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.

Chapter Legislative Activists, responding to our Activist Alerts during the session, provided the needed constituent calls and emails to ensure that senators and representatives voted for SB200 as it progressed through two Senate committees (Conservation and Finance), the Senate Floor, one House committee (Energy & Natural Resources), and the House Floor. These calls and emails were supporting the full-time, on-the-ground work done by our Lobbying Team of Judith Bunney, Mark Jones, and Dan Lorimier, which was directed by the Chapter’s Legislative Committee.

Our efforts were also supported by the Environmental Alliance of New Mexico, including the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (CCAE), NM Audubon, Conservation Voters (CVNM), and other individuals and organizations. With the endorsements for SB200 from the Energy & Natural Resources Department, the Public Schools Facilities Authority, the General Services Department’s Lead-By-Example program, and the Construction Industries Division, our work was strongly credentialed and legislators were broadly reassured by the strength of our support “team.”

SB200 moves New Mexico towards a more effective capital-spending policy for public buildings including schools, government centers, senior centers, and libraries. By requiring that public buildings be designed, built, and used to attain EPA’s Energy Star certification, achieving 25%-30% energy use reduction over the average building of that type, communities won’t be saddled with high operating expenses (gas and electric bills) for the life of their public buildings. Energy Efficient Public Buildings save money for the 30-40 year life cycle of those buildings compared to the energy wasteful building designs we are used to now. They also lower New Mexico’s overall energy consumption, let local governments lead their citizens by example, and lighten our state’s carbon footprint.

Read the bill at http://nmlegis.gov/lcs/_session.aspx?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=%20200&ye....

For more information, contact Dan Lorimier, Rio Grande Chapter Conservation Coordinator (575/740-2927, daniel.lorimier@sierraclub.org). —Dan Lorimier