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Thursday, July 02, 2009

N.M. Renewables Way to Energy Independence

By Rebecca Sobel
WildEarth Guardians
      This Independence Day, we have a lot to celebrate — including the initial steps in passing America's first piece of climate legislation. The American Clean Energy and Security Act cleared the House of Representatives last Friday, and many people are applauding its passage.
       Unfortunately, the bill falls short of President Obama's campaign vision to transition America's economy to clean energy and energy independence, while creating millions of new jobs. If we are to mark the era for true energy independence, there is much more work to be done.
       In short, the bill repeals a key part of the Clean Air Act and doesn't do nearly enough to shift America to renewable energy. Instead of a boom in solar and wind, the bill locks us into dirty coal power for another generation. Is this the type of independence we should be celebrating?
       Much like our forefathers who fought to gain autonomy from oppressive British rule, today our nation lives under the oppressive thumb of foreign oil, dirty energy and a climate crisis that will change the way we live. We are being held hostage to volatile gas prices, as Americans send hundreds of billions of dollars overseas each year.
       Our dependence on foreign oil leaves our nation vulnerable to unstable and hostile regimes, burdening our military and their families. Additionally, our reliance on dirty energy continues to cost us — the average annual household energy spending has increased approximately $1,000 between 2001 and 2007.
       While western New Mexico boasts some of the best solar potential on the planet and eastern New Mexico sports some of the best available wind, our state still ranks 48 among 50 in its use of alternative energy. Worse yet, we are importing energy from elsewhere and losing valuable opportunities to generate revenue and create jobs here at home.
       It doesn't have to be this way. This Independence Day marks the opportunity for a new kind of revolution — an energy revolution which will not only enable our children to inherit a truly independent America, but will also salvage our economy while preserving our public health in the process.
       New Mexico stands to profit substantially from this clean-energy future. According to one study, wind energy alone in New Mexico could provide 20,000 construction jobs for large-scale wind projects with 52,000 jobs in operation and maintenance over 20 years, yielding an income of $6.4 billion.
       Hybrid cars are selling as fast as companies can make them. Mass transit usage is up as are bicycle sales. People are also transitioning to more sustainable, local food sources. Today, there are more than 4,600 farmers markets operating throughout the nation. The message these statistics send is clear: Americans are ready to claim our independence — not only from foreign oil, but also from unsustainable production practices to meet our daily needs.
       Some of our leaders are already speaking out. Nearly 50 members of Congress, led by Reps. Chellie Pingree and Keith Ellison, signed a letter calling for the Clean Energy Security Act to be strengthened. Rep. Lloyd Doggett was one of several who spoke out on the day of the vote, saying, “The fine print [in the bill] betrays its laudable purpose. The real cap is on the public interest and the trade is from the public to the polluters.”
       But while our national leaders are struggling to chart our course for energy independence, will New Mexico's leaders be ready to take advantage of the opportunity?
       More than any other state in the nation, we have the unique possibility of generating 100 percent of our electric needs from clean and renewable energy. We could more than meet the state's electric demand by covering less than 2 percent of White Sands Missile Range with satellite-grade PV.
       New Mexico should celebrate this Fourth of July with a plan to achieve our own energy independence — one that values the word's true meaning and works to secure a more profitable future for all of our families.
       

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