SOLAR POWER—Solar panels, like this system in Santa Fe, harvest New Mexico’s abundant solar power resources.

On June 9, Gov. Bill Richardson signed an executive order creating a New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group to reduce our state’s emissions of global warming gases. Under the governor’s order, the group must create a plan to reduce New Mexico’s global warming emissions to year-2000 levels by 2012, and ultimately reduce emissions to 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050.

“Make no mistake. Global warming is real,” said Gov. Richardson. “If we don’t act soon, the consequences could be devastating.”

The governor’s order makes New Mexico the first state with a large oil and gas industry to set a plan for reducing global warming emissions.

“It’s very exciting to see the governor take action on this scale,” said Jeanne Bassett, NMPIRG executive director. “For a state with so much industry and such high emissions, it’s great to see New Mexico take responsibility and help set the bar for other states.”

The New Mexico Greenhouse Gas Inventory, a study commissioned by the state, found that our state emits twice the per capita national average amount of global warming gases.

The study attributed 40 percent of emissions to electric generation plants, 23 percent to oil and gas production, 17 percent to cars and trucks, and 7 percent to agriculture, where cows make the biggest contribution. The remainder is a mix of residential, business and other industrial processes.

Where many would see an insurmountable challenge, NMPIRG sees an incredible opportunity. The state of New Mexico has the nation’s second greatest potential for solar energy production, and some of the country’s most abundant geothermal and wind resources. The leadership we can provide in a clean energy future will go a long way to bringing safer and more reliable energy to the country.

And, by getting an early start in the new clean energy economy, our state’s business can facilitate job growth and have an advantage in emerging clean energy technologies.

Given the amount of emissions that come from New Mexico industry, state Environment Secretary Ron Curry told the Albuquerque Journal that “For this to be successful in New Mexico, it’s going to take a lot of support from businesses.”

So far, some industry leaders have come out in support of the plan. Jeff Burks, director of environmental sustainability for Public Service Company of New Mexico, said that companies should seize the opportunity to be at the forefront of global warming reductions.

“It’s good for business,” said Burks. “It will be good for our shareholders.”

NMPIRG will begin this important work by helping bring together a diverse coalition of environmental groups, businesses, and renewable energy representatives to plan the state’s clean energy future.