Jeanne Bassett, executive director of NMPIRG.

This summer, there is a good chance that you will be visited at your home by a NMPIRG door-to-door canvasser.

Just like we’ve done for each of the last 21 summers, NMPIRG canvassers will fan out across the state, knocking on doors or approaching people on street corners to help protect our environment and consumers. Most of our summer canvassers are college students home for the summer break.

If you are one of those citizens, I’d like to thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to hear about our “Go Solar” Campaign, give us your feedback, and renew your support for NMPIRG.

Educating the public through our citizen outreach program is a key element of NMPIRG’s formula for winning campaigns. During the 2006 legislative session our outreach to our members helped win the passage of the Solar Tax Credit which provides a tax credit to people who purchase solar systems (see page 1).
Now it is time to go one step further. Given the volatility of natural gas prices, reducing our energy use with solar homes will save New Mexicans money and help reduce global warming pollution.

New Mexico’s rapid development is increasing our energy use dramatically, but it’s also an opportunity. Each home and building constructed is a chance for New Mexico to tap into its year-round sunshine.

Building a movement one conversation at a time is what NMPIRG is all about, and without the work of our canvassers it would be impossible. It’s they who go out everyday and talk to people, raise funds, identify volunteers and build grassroots support for the policies that make New Mexico a better place.

NMPIRG is proud of our role in giving college and high school students a unique and important challenge and a chance to get their feet wet working on public interest issues.

Thank you once again for supporting our citizen outreach campaign.