Rio Grande Chapter

Dirty Coal Is Just So Last Century

A FEW YEARS ago I toured the massive coal-burning power plant that has generated much of New Mexico’s electricity for the last 40 years. It’s a huge, impressive behemoth of a plant. And, like the behemoths of the age of the dinosaurs, its time has come. San Juan Generating Station should be retired, not retooled.

RETIRE Coal at the San Juan Coal Plant. REPOWER the Southwest with Clean Energy. REGENERATE the Four Corners and New Mexico’s Economy.

Flip on a light switch in New Mexico and much of that electricity comes from burning coal at an aging PNM power plant that spews harmful pollutants across our region’s skies.

The pollution from that dirty power plant reaches children, whose small lungs are easily damaged. It also reaches seniors, who are vulnerable to air pollution as well. Pollutants from the San Juan Generating Station cause hundreds of asthma attacks and tens of millions a year in public health costs.[i]

Instead of moving forward to protect our families and New Mexico’s economy, PNM is trying to drag us backwards. Instead of considering serious plans like retire coal altogether and transition to clean energy like solar, wind, and geothermal, PNM is trying to extend the use of its dangerous use of coal.

Tell PNM: it’s time for clean energy!
newmexicoforcleanenergy.org

NEW MEXICANS DELIVER THANK YOU CARDS TO SENATORS FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH, VOTING AGAINST TOXIC LEGISLATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2012

CONTACT: Shrayas Jatkar, 505-459-2718, shrayas.jatkar@sierraclub.org

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Ray Powell in May 2012 named Rio Grande Chapter leaders Norma McCallan and Ken Hughes to be part of a 12-member Conservation Advisory Committtee for the State Land Office.

Member Story: House Savings

Four years ago, I started greening my house as I made needed repairs. First I replaced the main windows with double-pane, energy-saving windows (which also reduced outside noise considerably). I have followed up with Energy Star toilets (rebate water credit paid for them entirely), showerheads, refrigerator, dishwasher and entry door. I’ve also installed an energy efficient garage door and put a thermal blanket on the water heater.

Solar System kept water pumping when fire knocked out other power
(From the New Mexico Energy and Minerals Department)

RUIDOSO, N.M. – A solar photovoltaic system installed by the Sun Valley Water and Sanitation District kept the water pumping to volunteer firefighters fighting the Little Bear Fire when all other power in the area was lost.

By Jessie Emerson, Northern Group Recycling Chair

According to the World Resources Institute (2000), global energy consumption and manufacturing activity over the next 50 years may rise to three times current levels.

By Sig Silber, Northern New Mexico Group Water Chair

In 2003 the first New Mexico State Water Plan was adopted. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Interstate Stream Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the State Engineer and the water trust board, prepare and implement a comprehensive state water plan. The state water plan shall be a strategic management tool.

The details of the water-planning statute can be viewed at

By Eliza Kretzmann Resilient Habitats organizer

On June 21, the state Game Commission rubber-stamped Game and Fish’s
recommendation to drastically increase allowed bear and cougar kills in New Mexico.

By Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair

What exactly is meant when the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish uses the words “wildlife management”? When it comes to carnivores, it means one thing: killing. Game and Fish is proposing to increase the number of bears being killed despite only two years having passed since the quotas were raised dramatically already.