Clean Energy Solutions

By Shrayas Jatkar
Beyond Coal organizing representative

Many things led to the acknowledgement by PNM and the Martinez administration that coal is the fuel of the past.

Without the constant public pressure exerted by Rio Grande Chapter members and friends, the decision to reduce the deadly coal pollution at San Juan Generating Station simply would not have happened.

New Mexico’s Beyond Coal to Clean Energy campaign included national program staff, local volunteers, and diverse partner groups.

By Shrayas Jatkar
Beyond Coal organizing representative

The state of New Mexico and PNM announced that they had struck a major deal with the Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 15 regarding the future of the San Juan Generating Station, a 40-year-old coal-burning power plant near Farmington. Key elements of the deal are to close two of the four coal-burning units by the end of 2017 while putting pollution controls on the remaining two units to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and other toxic pollutants.

(Rio Grande Chapter members have submitted testimonials about saving money and wasting less through energy efficiency and clean energy. We’ll be publishing some of these stories throughout the next several issues of The Sierran.)

I’ve been in New Mexico nearly all of my 57 years, and in 1992 my wife and I bought a modest 1,950-square-foot house on half an acre in Albuquerque’s far north valley.
We knew it would be a great place to grow old in, with enough land and good soil for a garden. We grow as many vegetables as possible and built a greenhouse to extend our growing season.

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.

By Jeff Potter
GOOD NEWS City saves $1.4 Million per year with Energy Efficiency Projects

Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry announced in April major gains the city has made for environmental sustainability and for taxpayer savings. Using “a common-sense approach to environmental sustainability and energy reduction throughout the city ... have reduced our CO2 footprint by more than 5,000 metric tons. This approach to the green equation has also created a cost savings of nearly $1.4 million per year,” according to the Mayor’s press release.

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.

The Sierra Club and the Rio Grande Chapter have identified as an overarching priority the fight against global warming.

To stimulate investments in renewable energy production, renewable-rich areas like central New Mexico need transmission lines to deliver renewable power to customers across the west.

The Rio Grande Chapter believes renewable-energy transmission projects are good for stimulating clean energy in New Mexico. We also believe in making sure these projects are planned and built to strict environmental standards. We want the bar set high.