Sustainability

02/02/2012 From Michael Brune, Executive Director

Have you ever had to turn away millions of dollars? It sounds crazy, but here's why the Sierra Club chose to do exactly that.

In 2010, soon after I became the organization's executive director, I learned that beginning in 2007 the Sierra Club had received more than $26 million from individuals or subsidiaries of Chesapeake Energy, one of the country's largest natural gas companies. At the same time I learned about the donation, we at the Club were also hearing from scientists and from local Club chapters about the risks that natural gas drilling posed to our air, water, climate, and people in their communities. We cannot accept money from an industry we need to change. Very quickly, the board of directors, with my strong encouragement, cut off these donations and rewrote our gift acceptance policy. Let me tell you how it came about.

SANTA FE, N.M.— On January 19th, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) filed its Brief in Chief for its clients in an appeal arguing that the New Mexico Construction Industry Commission violated numerous laws when it rolled back the Energy Efficient Building Codes adopted in 2010. The Commission did not meet requirements that give the public the right to effectively participate in the making of laws and that require decision-makers to explain their actions.

By Dan Lorimier, Conservation coordinator, Southern and El Paso groups

After roughly two and a half years of effort, the Rio Grande Chapter has successfully helped protect New Mexico’s precious but highly threatened groundwater that 9 out of 10 of us rely on for drinking.

By Mike Weinberg, Chapter Water Chair

We all by now have heard that worldwide shortages of fresh water are expected in the coming decades due to increased demand from an ever-growing global population and anticipated drying of the earth’s climate.

Development of new water supplies and better management of existing sources will be necessary in order to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We can all help by conserving this precious resource.

Sierra Club Applauds EPA Action

August 5 - Farmington, NM – The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 6 office today announced its final decision to require the installation of industry-standard pollution controls on the San Juan Generating Station coal-fired power plant near Farmington, New Mexico. The pollution controls will substantially reduce hazardous air pollution from the aging coal-fired power plant, protecting both public health and tourism revenue at nearby National Parks. For years, pollution from the San Juan Generating Station has marred views at National Parks such as the Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde, threatening local economies that depend on tourism revenue from park visitors.

Once again, the Martinez Administration has chosen ideology over common sense.

Last month, we told you about Governor Martinez' efforts to roll back our excellent, energy- and money-saving building codes. Thousands of you responded by asking the Administration to keep our codes intact.

Unfortunately, the scene at the Construction Industries Commission meeting, where this issue was decided, was a farce. There was no debate and no mention of the public meetings that had been held. The commission voted 7-1 to scrap the energy conservation code adopted last year.

This roll-back of the building codes increases the cost of new home ownership!

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper -- let them know how crazy this is.

Las Cruces Sun-News (NM){PUBLICATION2}
June 22, 2011
Section: Opinion
Article ID: 18325001
Our View: State commission chooses ideology over common sense

Governor Martinez plan to scrap 2009 NM Energy Conservation Code will prompt energy waste, higher utility bills and increased pollution

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The state’s Construction Industries Commission voted today to scrap the 2009 NM Energy Conservation Code (NMECC) that was adopted in 2010 after a series of open and public hearings that included evidence from stakeholders across the state. At the same time, the Commission voted to adopt a new energy-wasting code that would meet the bare minimum federal standards without any of the New Mexico-specific features that were incorporated into the 2009 NMECC.

Louise Pape, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Santa Fe Commission and Sierra Club member, has created a website that explains how to reduce personal water consumption to ten gallons per day. Check it out.

Ten Gallons a Day by Louise Pape