NEW MEXICO’S CLEAN ENERGY POTENTIAL—New Mexico’s tremendous wind, solar and geothermal resources are among the most abundant in the nation. Even as irresponsible energy policies are pushed at the federal level, our state can be a leader in developing clean, renewable power.

This summer, the price of oil passed the $60-per-barrel mark for the first time ever. Dependence on foreign oil grew, as did the evidence linking global warming to oil consumption. But on July 29, Congress turned away from a clean energy future by passing an energy bill that offers little to consumers and the environment, while handing over billions of dollars to the oil and nuclear industries.

Both Sens. Bingaman and Domenici from New Mexico, where we have the resources and vision to lead the nation in clean energy, voted for the bill.

“New Mexico ranks second in the nation for its solar power potential, third for geothermal energy and twelfth for wind power,” said Jeanne Bassett, director of NMPIRG. “Yet we still get 87 percent of our energy from dirty coal, and our representatives are still supporting irresponsible energy policies.”

NMPIRG and our allies successfully removed some of the bill’s most harmful provisions, including drilling in the Arctic Refuge and a liability shield for companies who contaminated water supplies with MBTE. These small victories were setbacks to the Bush administration, and to the oil and gas corporations who helped the administration write a pro-industry energy bill.

It’s clear that the will to implement a clean energy future is lacking at the national level, but the good news is that state PIRGs have won laws requiring clean energy in nine states, energy effi ciency standards in eight states, and clean car laws in eight states. At least sixteen states are considering similar steps.

“This energy bill proves we can’t count on the federal government to clean up our power,” said Bassett. “But the states can work together for a clean energy future.”