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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Guest Blog: Sen. Wirth and Rep. Egolf on Earth Day and the New Reality in New Mexico

This is a guest blog by State Senator Peter Wirth and State Representative Brian Egolf of Santa Fe.

SWIRT HEGOL

On Wednesday of this week we celebrate Earth Day, a day to reflect on the important role the environment plays in our lives and the important role we play in our environment. All people who care about our natural environment -- from outdoorsmen to activists -- come together to support preservation of the special places we love in nature and our collective effort to find more responsible ways of living on our planet.

It is indisputable that we have a major effect on our environment. It is also indisputable that the choices we make both individually and as a society have enormous impacts across a staggeringly complex range of natural systems that impact every aspect of life on Earth. Let us take this day to acknowledge the positive steps we have taken and the challenges that lie ahead.

New Mexico has become a leader in renewable energy and green jobs. Our home state is literally at the forefront of a global revolution in the way we create and consume energy, and though we are collectively only a small percentage of the world’s population, we are making a big difference through our leadership on these issues.

For the past several months, you have read on this blog about the important legislation passed during the 2009 session that removes the upfront cost of renewable energy installations, gives meaningful tax incentives to encourage renewable energy, provides robust financial support for the training of workers to start in “green collar” jobs, and encourages research and development in new energy technologies.

What may not be clear from the posts is that these new laws, while important individually, are incredibly meaningful collectively. The new reality here in New Mexico is that renewable energy and green jobs have become mainstream policy goals with broad public and private support. And, most importantly, protecting the environment is now making bottom line economic sense.

New Mexico is setting a powerful example for our neighboring states, the federal government, and other nations. The example shows not only that these policy initiatives are popular with voters, but that the initiatives are achievable and will produce quantifiable results for the citizens and the environment. This is the contribution we, as a state, can make to the global energy revolution. No better contribution can be made than to produce real results through voluntary and cost-effective programs such as the ones we have enacted during this legislative session.

So as we take time to reflect this Earth day, let’s celebrate with a hike in the mountains or an afternoon bike ride with our kids. Then let’s sit down around our respective kitchen tables and map out own individual plan for the coming years. Whether it’s eliminating an electric bill by installing new solar panels, adding new insulation to our house, or simply installing power strips to turn off appliances at night, collectively we are all part of the solution we seek.

State Senator Peter Wirth represents District 25 and is a Santa Fe lawyer. State Representative Brian Egolf represents District 47 and also is a Santa Fe lawyer with a water and natural resources practice.

If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

April 21, 2009 at 09:20 AM in Environment, Guest Blogger, NM Legislature 2009 | Permalink

Comments

I'm so incredibly proud of our new legislators, aren't you? Both of them carried landmark legislation to allow consumers to spend pennies up front to install solar systems on their homes via a innovative special district mechanism. I love having Peter Wirth in the Senate. Wow. Just a sampling of his successful legislation: electronic medical records, a requirement that pharmacies share comparative drug prices with consumers, campaign finance reform, protections for victims of domestic violence & stalking and more!

Posted by: Dede Feldman | Apr 21, 2009 3:23:01 PM

Yes, great work by these two and other new progressive legislators! I know even more could have been accomplished if the handful of Dem obstructionists were out of the way.

The green energy and jobs stuff is really encouraging and it's just a start.

I also want to thank Sen. Feldman for her always brave and smart advocacy on so many issues. Congratulations on finally getting the open conference committee bill passed!

Posted by: SFean | Apr 21, 2009 8:56:19 PM