I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
In a close vote, the U.S. House passed a climate bill 219-212 on Friday. More than forty Democrats voted against the bill, a handful of which voted against it saying the bill was not strong enough. Eight Republicans voted for the bill.
All three members of the New Mexico congressional delegation voted for the bill.
Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the Democrat who represents the 3rd Congressional District, spoke on the floor on behalf of the bill (video): “Our country’s dependence on foreign oil threatens our economy and security,” Luján said. “We need to take bold steps to become energy independent by growing a new energy economy.”
Congressman Martin Heinrich, the Democrat who represents the 1st Congressional District, also referenced national security concerns when he spoke on the floor in support of the bill (video): “This legislation will transform our nation,” Heinrich said. “America is once again the master of her own destiny and we will no longer stand idly by while our economy and security are held hostage by hostile foreign powers.”
The bill includes a renewable energy standard, which would require that 20 percent of energy be made from renewable sources by 2020. U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a Santa Fe Democrat, worked for years for a renewable energy standard while a member of the House.
Heinrich had a part in crafting the bill, introducing an amendment that ended up in the bill that would require federal agencies to get 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources.
Luján also had a hand in the bill. From the Luján press release:
Rep. Luján worked with Chairman Markey to incorporate language in the Innovation Hubs section of the bill that supports Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges. The Energy Innovation Hubs are made up of consortia of university and private research communities, industry, national laboratories and other energy innovation participants to develop and transfer clean energy technology into the marketplace. Rep. Luján’s language specifies that in establishing three of the eight Energy Innovation Hubs under this section, the Secretary of Energy is required to give special consideration to consortium applicants that include at least one Hispanic Serving Institution or Tribal College.
The bill seemed to gain support after a Congressional Budget Office study estimated that the provisions would cost American households just $175.
Gov. Bill Richardson praised passage of the bill and had something to say to the Senate as well.
“I encourage the Senate to act quickly and send a strong bill to the President’s desk,” Richardson was quoted as saying in a statement.
Environmental groups, however, were split on the vote.
Greenpeace USA Deputy Campaigns Director Carroll Muffett called the bill’s passage “a victory for coal industry lobbyists, oil industry lobbyists, agriculture industry lobbyists, steel and cement industry lobbyists, among many others.”
Conversely, Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope said in a statement, “This bill sets the stage for the dawn of the clean energy future.” But he acknowledged the bill was not perfect.
“While imperfect, it sets forth a set of goals America must achieve — and exceed,” Pope added.
Southern New Mexico Congressman Harry Teague, a Democrat and longtime Hobbs oilman, has not issued a statement, though he did vote for the bill.
Additionally, Albuquerque Journal science writer John Fleck collected responses from some New Mexico energy folks about the passage of the bill.
