Today the state’s Environmental Improvement Board will decide whether to say “enough is enough” to climate change pollution in the Land of Enchantment. The Sierra Club, New Energy Economy and more than a dozen other groups in New Mexico are asking the board to place a science-based cap on greenhouse gases produced in the state.
Margaret Grey with the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter says cutting back on carbon actually presents business opportunities for New Mexico.
“Because of their solar resources, their wind resources and even some of their biomass resources they can make a substantive contribution.”
Opponents of the cap worry about the cost of compliance and the economic impacts that could have on industry. But Gray says moving to cleaner, greener energy production and industries are important parts of fighting climate change, which is already jeopardizing water supplies in the arid Southwest. She points to the Navajo Nation’s green initiative as an example of a plan with both environmental and economic benefits.
“We feel that they have a large contribution to make to green jobs, economic security and renewable energy generation for New Mexico and the region, as well as for their own people.”
Critics of the cap also charge it could lead to higher electricity and energy costs for consumers. Mariel Nanasi, senior policy advisor for New Energy Economy, says most households should barely even notice.
“Our economists are estimating that it will cost about 50 cents a month. There has been some polling done in which people say, for a minimal increase like that, they would prefer to address carbon pollution.”
All the groups are calling for some sort of cap. One of the most specific proposals, from New Energy Economy, asks for a reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions from sources like power plants, factories and universities to 25 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2020.
The public hearing begins at 10 a.m. today at the the State Personnel Office Auditorium, Willie Ortiz Building, 2600 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe.
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