Green Options » New Mexico

Val Kilmer: Iceman, Batman, Wildlife Lover, Governor of New Mexico?

Levi Novey — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:59:34 +0000

The latest political celebrity scuttlebutt is that famous American actor Val Kilmer might be considering a run for Governor of New Mexico in 2010. Kilmer has lived part-time in New Mexico for over 20 years, but reportedly hasn’t ever voted since registering in 1992. While we don’t know if Kilmer will run, the good news is that if he does, then we have reason to believe he cares about environmental issues.

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NM-Senate: GOP All But Concedes Race to Tom Udall

Taylor Shelton — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:03 +0000

Last week I wrote about the US Senate race in Colorado featuring Democratic congressman Mark Udall - now is the time to feature his cousin, fellow congressman and fellow senatorial candidate, Tom Udall of New Mexico. Udall received some great news in the past week when the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee canceled all their ad buys in New Mexico. Given their prior commitment to refuse spending money in races they couldn’t win, they seem to have taken all steps in conceding the race, short of actually pulling their candidate. In this now-uncontested race, Udall faces current GOP Congressman from New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional district, Steve Pearce. As with all of the senatorial and congressional races that I’ll be highlighting this fall, the Senate race in New Mexico has significant implications for environmental policy. Now that the GOP has all but bailed on Pearce, we can even be a bit more certain about what those implications will be.

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The Ultimate Green, Renewable Fuel (and Food): Algae, Possibly

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:13:44 +0000

Across the U.S., researchers, startup companies and investors are exploring the potential of creating large amounts of green, renewable fuel from the humblest of sources: algae.

If you think the energy/food potential for hemp is underutilized, wait’ll you get a gander at algae. This little microorganism really packs a punch.

According to The Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know is Wrong (2006, Harmony Books) (I highly recommend it, by the way — it’s packed with fascinating information and weird insights), algae breathes out more oxygen than all the world’s land-based plants and trees combined. Certain types of algae also deliver a whopping amount of protein and nutrients per farmed acre (20 times more than soy beans, in the case of spirulina).

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Alaska, Southwest to Feel Greatest Climate Change Pain in U.S.

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:33:15 +0000

Years of legal wrangling have finally produced a long-awaited report on the current and potential effects of climate change on the U.S. And it should come as no surprise that regions already hurting — Alaska and the arid Southwest — are among the areas expected to feel the greatest pain from continued climate change in the future.

The report, Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States, was released today by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. According to the Government Accountability Project, the study was “years overdue under a requirement of law” and was prepared only after a federal court order last year set a release deadline of May 31, 2008.

Among the report’s highlights (or lowlights, depending on your perspective):

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The Looming Internet Energy Crisis

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:18:58 +0000

If you think the virtual, online world helps reduce energy consumption in the real world (a topic we’ve touched on before here at Green Options Media), think again: a new study by management consulting firm McKinsey & Company provides scary insights into how Internet computing is devouring more and more power and spewing out more and more greenhouse gases.

Based on data from the Uptime Institute, a technology consulting company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the McKinsey report finds that, between 2000 and 2006, the amount of energy needed to power data centers doubled, and that consumption is likely to double again by 2012. In the U.S. alone, we would need to build 10 new power plants by 2010 just to meet the growing energy needs of this country’s data centers.

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Wine, Tea, and TV Dinners: “The Green” Does Food

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:00:54 +0000

Regardless of how “green” we consider ourselves, we’re all concerned about the quality of the food we put on our own plates and serve to our families. Tonight, the Sundance Channel’s The Green explores the world of food, from farm to plate. It’s award-winning series Big Ideas for a Small Planet profiles a large food processor, a wine-maker, and a New Mexico high school student who are all doing their part to reject industrial-scale agriculture, and the bland, homogeneous food it produces. Following that, Sundance presents the documentary All In This Tea from directors Les Blank (Burden of Dreams) and Gina Leibrecht.

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New Mexico Creates Green Collar Jobs with Solar PV Plant

Carol Gulyas — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:53:29 +0000

Schott, AG has just broken ground on a facility that will manufacture solar PV cells and receivers. Governor Bill Richardson celebrated the creation of 350 jobs in the short term and 1,500 jobs when the plant is running to capacity. New Mexico has a Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring that a portion of the state’s energy production must come from renewable sources. Renewable Energy World estimates that there are currently 8.5 million jobs created from renewable energy industries, not only in engineering, but in manufacturing, construction, management, and accounting.

“By the year 2030, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the U.S., but only with the appropriate public policy. This would include a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education, and R&D” –ASES

The beauty of green collar jobs is that they can’t be outsourced: they are local and they are looking toward the future. One source of jobs in renewable energy is at AlternativeEnergy.com.

EPA Chief on Hot Seat Over California Emissions Denial

Max Lindberg — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:19:29 +0000

Last December, EPA administrator Stephen Johnson denied California’s request to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the Senate released documents putting Johnson squarely in opposition with the scientific and legal experts on his staff when he denied the request.The documents were requested by Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who said:

“These documents paint a picture of an Environmental Protection Agency in crisis. They show the dedicated professional staff of the EPA working hard to do what they are paid to do by the American people - protect our health and our environment. At the same time, we see more and more evidence of Administrator Johnson ignoring the science and the facts, and discarding the advice of his professional staff.”

“I believe this decision will be reversed by the next President or by the courts, but the Administrator can save the taxpayers time and money, and can get us started cleaning up our air if he would simply follow the law, the facts, and the advice of his agency professionals.”

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85 Year Old “War” Over Colorado River Water Ends

Max Lindberg — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:48:13 +0000

It’s been going on since 1922, seven western states staking their claims on Colorado River Water. For years, a sometimes divisive battle has raged as Colorado, Utah, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada and New Mexico all said they weren’t getting their share of the precious liquid.

It came to an end in Las Vegas, when representatives of the seven states inked their signatures to a 20 year water-use agreement that now supersedes the 1922 pact.

The plan resolves several legal issues among water agencies and formalized rules fostering cooperation during drought conditions now ongoing in the region. The states are promising consultation and negotiation before litigation on Colorado River water issues. What a concept.

Three lower-basin states, Arizona, California and Nevada will use the Lake Mead reservoir behind Hoover Dam to store water they won’t use or need right now. Thirty million people depend on water in that region, especially in Southern California, where 26 cities and water districts serve about 18 million customers.

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Governors Form Wind Power Coalition

Maria Surma Manka — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:05:22 +0000

Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (R) and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico (D) have joined forces to promote a “Governors Windpower Coalition” to increase the use of wind energy across the United States.

The objectives of the coalition include interstate collaboration (on issues like transmission), exchanging information on policy and technology, commissioning research on wind power policy issues, and identifying recommendations for federal and regional policies. It will not receive any funding from industry sources.

Governor Pawlenty explained why he and Richardson decided to collaborate:

“America is at a tipping point. Our country is too dependent on imported sources of energy and greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow too quickly. Governors and states have a tremendous opportunity to lead the country towards a cleaner, more independent, more secure energy future.”

The nonprofit community is excited about the collaboration as well. Beth Soholt, executive director of the Midwest organization Wind on the Wires, said: “We are ready to roll up our sleeves and actively work with the Governors Windpower Coalition to achieve our mutual wind power goals.”

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How Green is that Hollywood Movie?

Amy Stodghill — Sat, 12 May 2007 18:05:26 +0000

The moviemaking business has a very large environmental footprint. Idling production vehicles, construction of elaborate sets, extensive lighting needs and a crew of hundreds who all need to be fed and transported are just a few of the contributing factors to the un-enviromentally friendly aspects of the film and television industry.

The UCLA Institute of the Environment's annual report last year found that when compared to other top industries in California, the film and television industry tops the list in air pollution and green house gas emissions. The problem, the study suggested, was that each production is a short lived entity and doesn't have to think of long term supply chain effects that face other types of business and industries.

Most U.S. states and major U.S. cities have a film department, which are usually part of the mayors office to facilitate film productions. Many provide assistance in acquiring permits, location scouting, and hiring local professionals, but very few offer additional incentives for going green or even contain info with practical, money saving tips on being more enviro-friendly.

New Mexico is an exception with their Green Filmmaking Program. The initiative is simple. It is a voluntary program that offers guidelines for productions that want to lessen their footprint. The film office has compiled helpful information on the use of alternative materials and green practices such as recycling, purchasing local products, donating set materials, leasing hybrid vehicles, getting biodiesel for generators, and other waste reduction techniques. They also offer additional tax incentives for productions that follow these guidelines.

New York City, a popular filming destination for movies and TV shows, has recently announced NYC: Green Screen, similar to New Mexico's program offering tools and practical guidelines for shooting greener in NYC.

New Zealand, another moviemaking hotspot (Lord of the Rings triology) features Greening The Screen, an environmental toolkit for productions. The main motivation there is to lessen the impact on New Zealand's historical and cultural heritage, but also to help the boost the country's economy.

The Environmental Media Association presents the Green Seal Award for productions that strive for enviro-friendly practices on and offset as an added incentive for green recognition.

There are some films that will go carbon neutral with out any help from a voluntary program, and others it just makes sense for them to do so, like An Inconvenient Truth. But there is a lot of room for improvement in this multi-billion dollar industry. Maybe Leonardo Dicaprio can extend his efforts to greening his workplace.

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