Environment

Albuquerque Families Call on President Obama to Finalize Mercury Protections at “Mercury Pollution is Scary” Halloween action

November 1, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Sierra Club event demonstrates public demand for federal protections from toxic mercury from coal-fired power plants like Four Corners Power Plant

 On October 31, dozens of Albuquerque moms, dads and children gathered on Coal Avenue for a “Mercury Pollution is Scary” Halloween action, demanding strong federal protections from toxic mercury pollution.  The Halloween-themed family event was sponsored by the Sierra Club, and demanded that President Obama bring protections from mercury emitted by coal-fired power plants “across the finish line” by the end of 2011.

“All the children look cute in their Halloween costumes, but knowing what toxic mercury could do to their little bodies is truly scary,” said Shrayas Jatkar, Organizing Representative with the Sierra Club in New Mexico.  “It’s up to President Obama to get us across the finish line with strong mercury protections by the end of the year.”

Sierra Club Endorses Eric Griego Campaign for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District!

November 1, 2011 by Democracy for N...

The state and national Sierra Club endorsed my campaign for New Mexico’s 1^st Congressional District! I’m especially proud that their endorsement resulted from a unanimous vote from the Sierra Club’s New Mexico Chapter Executive Committee and to be only the second endorsement given so far by the Sierra Club in the 2012 federal election cycle.

The Sierra Club’s endorsement recognizes my strong and consistent record of working to create clean energy jobs and to promote a healthy environment. Taken together with the endorsement by Conservation Voters New Mexico, their support solidifies me as the clear champion for the environment in this race.

"It's not a huge hole in the ground, it's a tourist attraction!"

October 27, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Big holeAnother blogger elsewhere recently wondered aloud how the Republican push for mining deregulation in Wisconsin squared with the governor's call for more tourism jobs. I forget the blogger's name, but he or she pointed out that tourism in Wisconsin's pristine, sparkling waterways and forests obviously conflicts with a strip mine that might be 12 miles long and deeper than all but the state's tallest mountain.

But I think I've had an epiphany. I suspect the way Gov. Scott Walker, his legislative minions and the mining industry would like state residents to see open-pit mines in Ashland County or elsewhere is through the eyes of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. To wit:

PLAN YOUR GETAWAY!

Wisconsin's very own Grand Canyon Lite!

It's long!

It's deep!

It's dangerous!

And we made it exactly to specifications for maximum enjoyment!

NM Business Leaders Urge Secretary Salazar to Support Responsible Clean Energy Development on Public Lands

October 27, 2011 by Democracy for N...

On the heels of a successful statewide renewable energy conference, the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce announced this week that 31 New Mexico business leaders have sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, encouraging him to support the development of clean-energy projects on New Mexico's public, private, and Tribal lands for the benefit of the state's economy and environment. The complete text of the letter can be found here (pdf).

"These New Mexico businesses believe responsible clean-energy development on our state's abundant public lands will help spur economic growth and job creation, and urge Secretary Salazar to push on this transition to a new clean-energy economy," said Allan Oliver, CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.