Rio Grande Chapter

“I love nature.”
“I gotta work”
“I want good green jobs”

That was the rallying cry of the Sierra Club’s youth delegation at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference on May 4th – 6th. Representing dozens of communities in twenty states from across the country, 79 vibrant, green-minded young people descended upon Washington, DC demanding green jobs.

Four Corners Coal Plant Causes Haze in Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Other National Parks

Washington, D.C. — Conservation groups have asked federal agencies to require New Mexico's dirtiest coal-fired power plant to take measures to reduce its air pollution, and thereby lessen the amount of haze it causes in national parks and wilderness areas.

The Albuquerque Climate Action Coalition, which includes the Sierra Club along with about a dozen other environmental and public interest organizations, has determined its top priorities for City adopting and implementation from among the 49 "Strategies" contained within the City's Climate Action Plan, released late in 2009.

The Albuquerque Journal reported on March 19 that Governor Bill Richardson stated that he would support an effort to consider National Monument status for Otero Mesa. The governor’s comments were in a letter sent on March 18 to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar.

On Earth Day, members, friends, and other organizations’ representatives filled the Rio Grande Chapter/Southern Group office for the first organizational meeting of the Cool Cities Las Cruces campaign. City Councilor Olga Pedroza also participated.

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.