Northern New Mexico Group of the Sierra Club
Environmental protection, conservation and hiking in Santa Fe area

Notes from the Chair

February, 2009

David Van Winkle, Northern NM Group Chair

Hello, I am the new Chair of the Northern New Mexico Group of the Sierra Club. John Buchser got himself promoted and is now Chair of the Rio Grande Chapter.

We are currently in a very interesting situation related to the environment. We have major challenges in front of us. For example, most major scientific data is showing evidence of faster global warming than predicted. However, we have one of the most favorable political climates in recent history. The current administration is taking proactive steps to turn the momentum in the right direction. The administration and Congress has made huge strides with renewable energy incentives in the stimulus package. Major changes in the EPA rules are creating major obstacles for new coal plants.

It is time for us to act quickly. We cannot sit back and wait for the federal administration to save us. As they say, strike while the iron is hot at the local level.

Here are some recent examples of Sierra Club members/teams creating major change at the local level:

• Brendan Miller of our Cool Cities team has led our effort in 2008 with the City of Santa Fe to develop and adopt a green building code for new residential construction. This ordinance will reduce energy consumption by ~50% and address sustainability issue for new residences. This ordinance has strong support from the City Council, as 6 of the 9 potential voters are listed as sponsors. The final vote is scheduled for March 11.
• Mark Walztoni has created the Sierra Club’s Cool Biz program. Cool Biz is focused on helping small businesses become more sustainable. Cool Biz offers businesses options to get cost effective energy audits, amongst other programs. We currently have more than 30 businesses signed up.
• Teresa Seamster has led our education and compact florescent light (CFL) program. Since 2007, we have held educational programs at 80% of the schools in the area and distributed 30,000 CFLs (funded by PNM) at more than 50 venues. FYI, CFLs reduce electricity consumption by about 75% vs incandescent lights.
• Our Cool Cities team has reached agreement with the City of Santa Fe about how to cost effectively utilize renewable energy for 100% of their portion of the electricity for Buckman Direct Diversion project.

Low Cost Loan Program for Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

The City is also sponsoring a low cost loan program for residential energy efficiency/renewable energy. So far, the response has been overwhelming. Hopefully, some of the stimulus package will allow this program to expand by an order of magnitude.

Act Now

One way that you can have an impact is to contact your NM legislators NOW. Bill SB235 is a green building code for public buildings. It reduces energy consumption by 50%. Sierra Club leader, Ken Hughes, drafted this bill. It is making good progress moving through the process. Please send e-mails, and call your senator and representative to get it approved.

You should be aware that the PNM Sky Blue program cost has been reduced by 35%. This program allows PNM customers to increase the amount of renewable energy produced by paying a small premium. The cost was $0.0169/kWh. It is now $0.0110/kWh. Sierra Club members Gail Ryba and Robb Thomson were instrumental in working with the PRC to make this happen. Sign up for the PNM Sky Blue program today.

There are many opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Please contact David Van Winkle and let me know how you would like to participate in this really exciting time.

Call to Action:

1. Consider Sky Blue so that more renewable energy is produced.
2. Call your NM legislators to support SB235.
3. Replace your highest use incandescent light bulbs with CFLs.
4. Send an e-mail to me telling me how you would like to get involved to help create change!