With its wealth of wind and sun, New Mexico is tapping into renewable energy to generate an abundance of clean, homegrown power and economic prosperity. New Mexico stands to reap huge benefits from America's shift to solar and wind power. Generating more renewable energy will mean millions in additional income for New Mexico ranchers and rural land owners, and will create thousands of local jobs. But Senator Domenici -- siding with the big utility companies -- single-handedly blocked the renewable energy bill in the Senate and pushed instead for billions in subsidies to the oil, gas, coal, and nuclear industries. This fall, Congress will again consider a national renewable energy bill. We are asking Senator Domenici not to dim New Mexico's future, to stop subsidizing business as usual and to support a renewable energy bill that will move New Mexico to a clean, energy future, create jobs and make America energy independent. Take Action! Ask Senator Domenici to support a renewable energy bill that will move New Mexico to a clean, energy future. Senator Domenici Has Failed New Mexico Politics Heats Up Over Renewable Energy: The Inside Story of the Energy Bill Blocked the passage of a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) in the Senate energy bill In June, Senator Domenici blocked the passage of a Renewable Energy Standard that would have mandated a 15% renewable energy requirement by the year 2022 - a relatively conservative and eminently achievable target. In order to thwart the RES provision, Sen. Domenici betrayed an agreement with his energy committee colleague and fellow senator from New Mexico, Jeff Bingaman, introduced a dangerous and damaging RES amendment of his own, threatened a filibuster, and single-handedly orchestrated the effective shutdown of legislative operations on the floor of the Senate. Mr. Domenici succeeded in keeping the RES provision out of the Senate's energy bill. But the RES was passed by the House of Representatives on August 4 and will be forwarded this fall to a House-Senate Conference for consolidation in a new energy bill. An overwhelming majority of Americans want to move in a new direction on energy. The public is upset about the high cost of gas, anxious about our dependence on foreign oil, and aware that global warming is happening and that urgent action needs to be taken. They are looking to our elected officials to find and promote the solutions that will help solve global warming and meet our energy needs. Senator Peter Domenici is the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Because of his position, he has the opportunity to drive meaningful action to increase America's energy independence, curb global warming and create a new energy economy. But last June, Senator Domenici let New Mexico down. He blocked the passage of a Renewable Electricity Standard that would have ensured that at least 15% of our energy came from solar wind or other renewable sources by 2022. He blocked America's progress - even though his own state, New Mexico, stands to reap huge benefits from the shift to renewable electricity. Domenici's colleague, New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman called a national standard "an essential component of any comprehensive national energy policy." He also called Senator Domenici's actions "a recipe for business as usual". "With its wealth of wind and sun, New Mexico is tapping into renewable energy to generate an abundance of clean, homegrown power and economic prosperity. The February 2007 opening of Advent Solar's production facility in Albuquerque is a prime example of the high-paying jobs that the renewable energy industry can bring to the Land of Enchantment. The 70,000-square-foot facility has the capacity to manufacture 25 MW of solar cells each year. Advent Solar already employs 165 people, and over the next five years, expects to create up to 1,000 more jobs and generate more than $60 million in state and local tax revenues." -- "Cashing in on Clean Energy," Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007 Let's ask Senator Domenici to stop subsidizing business as usual and to support a renewable energy bill that will move New Mexico to a clean, energy future, create jobs and make America energy independent. Benefits of solar, wind and renewable energy According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a 20% by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard would bring New Mexico: 2.21 billion dollars in new capital investment 390 million in consumer energy bill savings by 2030 100 million in additional income to state ranchers, farmers, and rural landowners 71 million in new local tax revenues 2,860 new jobs Read the full report on renewable energy and New Mexico's economy. Despite the huge benefits renewable energy will bring to New Mexico, Senator Domenici has continually voted to prolong our dependence on fossil fuels. Read more: Senator Domenici: A History Of Business As Usual Political Bedfellows: Domenici, Oil and Gas Download this factsheet as a pdf in English or en espaņol. What Newspapers are Saying Listen to our Radio Ad A-B-Cs of Energy From SWEEP, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project: The New Mother Lode: The Potential for More Efficient Electricity Use in the Southwest Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club