Rio Grande Chapter

August 4 - The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club and 7 other advocacy groups have sent a letter to Governor Richardson and Secretary of NM Environmental Department (NMED) Ron Curry supporting NMED's Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) for the San Juan Generating Station. This proposed plan would upgrade PNM's San Juan Generating Station with cost-effective controls for nitrogen oxide emissions and other pollutants and also lead to greater sulfur dioxide reductions, presents a tremendous opportunity to protect New Mexico’s enchanted landscapes, safeguard public health and welfare, promote economic prosperity, and keep New Mexico in control of its clean air legacy.

Santa Fe – August 6 - Speaking through 13 of New Mexico’s most representative advocacy groups, New Mexicans are asking Governor Richardson to support strong, Federal regulation of Coal Combustion Waste (CCW). New Mexico ranks 10th in the nation for CCW production with an amazing 6.8 million tons dumped from coal fired electric power generation in San Juan and McKinley Counties annually.

August 5 - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that a bill he introduced with Senator Tom Udall to transfer management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service has cleared its first hurdle. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed it.

The Chapter has been strongly supporting the effort by Caldera Action to transfer management of the Valles Caldera from the Valles Caldera Trust to the National Park Service, which has the experience and resources to better manage the Preserve. We are delighted to announce that on May 27, Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall introduced legislation to transfer the management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service.

Full Savings for Commercial Buildings Still in Question

Albuquerque, NM – July 30. Today, the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission (CIC) acted to save consumers money by adopting the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (2009 NMECC) for new home construction. The new residential code will achieve 20 percent increase in energy efficiency on new homes beginning in 2011 via sound building science and technically proven measures. The codes will take effect on January 1, 2011 with a six month phase-in period to provide time for a statewide code training process to be completed.

"By prohibiting traps and snares to protect our beleaguered lobos, Governor Richardson has again shown tremendous leadership to help wolves gain recovery," stated Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. "Wolves bring millions of tourism dollars to Yellowstone. Directing the Department of Tourism to examine the potential for wolf tourism in New Mexico will benefit not only our wolves but also the economy of the Gila region and New Mexico," she added.

This spring President Obama created the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. This weekend leaders from the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency met with New Mexicans in Albuquerque to learn about our views of this program. This is my viewpoint on this issue.

• We should all increase our use of the world-class outdoors opportunities that exist here in New Mexico.
• The Federal government should provide new, expanded, and better protected public lands.
• Increase opportunities for youth in the Great Outdoors.
• Support local economies by investing in public lands.
• Manage all public lands to comprehend climate change.

A coalition of environmental organizations is forming to protect the San Juan Basin Badlands. An initial meeting was held on June 15 that was attended by representatives of the Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, New Mexico Wilderness Association, Native Plant Society, BLM, Congressional staffers, and Michael Richie.

El Paso Group News
• In order to expedite implementation of the Clean Air Act in Texas, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun to remove some permitting authority delegated to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 16 years ago.

Rain Water Harvesting is all about capturing and storing rainfall to irrigate plants or to supply people and animals. It is one of the oldest known gardening watering methods, dating back to the beginnings of agriculture. Water harvesting methods are still used by the Tohono O'odham and Hopi tribes, who traditionally plant after the onset of summer and winter rains.

The Sierra Club is taking strong positions on climate change.

• Pass an improved American Power Act
• Implement Clean Energy Priorities
• Offshore Drilling is Not the Answer
• Clean Air Act Authority to Regulate Global Warming Pollution

Please read the attached briefs.