Clean Energy Solutions

Dec. 2009 - Ken Hughes, Rio Grande Chapter Conservation Chair, attended the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen. This is his insider's view of that conference.

Read about the various federal legislation alternatives on carbon emission regulation that will create a more balanced playing field that will facilitate local job growth.

Nov 16, 2009 - The Albuquerque City Council accepted the Albuquerque Climate Action Plan (http://www.cabq.gov/cap), a collection of 49 strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated city-wide across eight tracks, including business, buildings, energy, neighborhoods, food, transportation and social change. The objectives of the Plan (or “CAP”) embraced a short-term goal of 20% reductions in its greenhouse gas inventory from the baseline year of 2000 by 2012, a mid-term goal of 25-30% reductions by 2020, and a long term goal of 80% reductions by 2050.

Oct. 2009 - The Sierra Club and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) led the effort to ensure that the “2009 Interim Albuquerque Energy Conservation Code (2009 Interim AECC)” was adopted by the Albuquerque City Council.

Oct. 24, 2009 - Supported by Conservation Voters New Mexico (Molly Brook, CVNM's Global Warming Program Associate) and New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light, the Sierra Club's October 24th event for 350.org's International Day of Climate Action outside the Albuquerque Aquarium attracted numerous volunteers and hundreds of visitors, young and old, who submitted statements on the importance of climate action and signed petitions urging adoption of the City's Climate Action Plan.

October 1, Flagstaff, Arizona — As Hopi and Navajo leaders in the American Southwest evaluate their energy policies, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups remain committed to working with their tribal partners to find clean energy solutions that work for everyone.

Dexter Coolidge, Northern New Mexico Group Conservation Chair, reports on his energy audit that he had completed prior to his investments in solar thermal and solar PV...

Oct. 20, 2009 - Louise Pape, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Santa Fe Commission, led a workshop for the Northern New Mexico Group titled “One Trash Can per Year.”

It is now possible to have solar energy for your home without upfront investment and have positive cash flow. Recent laws passed by the New Mexico Legislature and signed by Governor Richardson have significantly changed the financial benefits of solar energy for residences.

Want to reduce your energy consumption, greenhouse-gas footprint, and energy bills and increase energy efficiency? Well, did you know that on average, 65% of home energy bills in New Mexico are associated with producing domestic hot-water and home heating? You may or may not be aware of the fact that solar heat is more efficient than photovoltaic (PV), producing five times more useful energy than solar electric.