By: Aaron West
Content from: Silver City Sun-News
Posted: 05/04/2012 05:11:40 PM MDT

By: Erin Sanborn, Steve Fuhlendorf and Mary Emery

How our renewable energy future will unfold is unknown. Changes in this industry are multiple, occurring rapidly, and outside forces can shift the industry in a very short time frame. In order to move toward a clean energy future, a business must be able to see different systems and causal relationships plus constantly think outside the box. Given today’s business conditions, one scenario is to utilize the willingness of many, many people to participate in solar energy development and marry it to New Mexico’s underutilized solar potential. One model is for community solar arrays or community shared solar.

In the northern region of New Mexico, specifically Taos County, Kit Carson Electric Coop (KCEC) has developed different scenarios and plans of action towards a renewable energy future. Community shared solar, or what KCEC calls “community solar projects,” is spreading across the country. Many environmentally minded residents of this eclectic community would like to take advantage of the abundant sunlight (more than 300 days/year) to power their homes. To do so requires not only a large monetary investment, but also a large, open location to install a solar array. This dilemma has been solved through the community solar concept.

Read the full article: Northern NM’s Solar Energy Future

LAS CRUCES – More than 50 southern New Mexico businesses and members of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce today sent a letter to President Obama, asking him to designate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region as a national monument.

The businesses, including MVS Studios, ReThink Real Estate and GreenWorks expressed strong support for the national monument plan being put forward by a broad coalition of local supporters and groups including clergy, veterans, elected officials, conservationists and diverse citizens from across the political spectrum.

“The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region includes spectacular natural, cultural and historic assets that deserve protection,” said Kate Mott, of MVS studios and Rethink Real Estate. “And as a business person, I also realize the incredible economic benefits a monument designation will bring to our community in the form of increased tourism andattraction of new residents, businesses and jobs to our area. ”

In the letter, business owners not only stress the obvious economic benefits, they also highlight the vast wealth of historic and ecological treasures to be preserved should President Obama declare the region a national monument.

“The Organ, Potrillo, Doña Ana, Robledo, and Sierra de las Uvas Mountains in Dona Ana County are home to a wide variety of unique flora and fauna. They contribute to the aesthetic beauty we enjoy in our communities and provide opportunities for scientific research and varied recreational activities,” the businesses wrote. “These public lands include invaluable American and pre-American historical sites including the Butterfield Stagecoach Trail, Gadsden Purchase International Boundary, thousands of petroglyphs and other archeological areas, Billy the Kid’s Outlaw Rock, portions of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, World War II Aerial Targets, and Geronimo’s Cave.”

And Douglas Campion, owner of GreenWorks, stated the business case for the creation of a monument.

“We all love and know this area, and we no longer want it to be the West’s best-kept secret,” Campion said. “A national monument would really put us on the map and put us in line for national and international tourism unlike we have seen before. That means jobs and diversification for our economy.”

Click here to view a PDF version of the full letter sent to President Obama and a list of signatories.

We are in the midst of a packed month of activities with PRC candidate forums in Albuquerque (May 1), Taos (May 2), and a successful event in Santa Fe yesterday. Given the big impact that the Public Regulation Commission makes on the clean energy and health sectors, as well as NM business overall, we will continue to monitor those races carefully.

In April our Southwest chapter was honored to host Senator Tom Udall for a well-attended forum to discuss issues affecting small businesses across the Southwest.   This is the second business event in two years with Senator Udall. This month, our Albuquerque chapter is looking forward to a presentation from Land Commission Ray Powell on his office’s work on renewable energy development on public lands.

In the next two weeks, the New Mexico Business Weekly and the NM Green Chamber of Commerce will be accepting nominations for the first-ever sustainable business awards. These awards will be presented at the Green Chambers’ First Annual Sustainable Business Summit and will be featured in the New Mexico Business Weekly. I strongly encourage our members to nominate a fellow business or their own, and receive recognition for your business’s commitment to sustainability. Applications are due by May 15th.

Last, I’m happy to report that the Green Chamber’s efforts are getting national notice. NM Green Chamber President Lawrence Rael and myself are invited to participate in a White House Business Council Forum on Friday, May 11. This should be a strong opportunity for dialogue around issues affecting our business members.

Stay tuned to NMGCC activities, more is on the way.

Allan Oliver
CEO, NM Green Chamber of Commerce

Read the Newsletter: Statewide Newsletter – May 2012

Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
Posted Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Public Regulation Commission might be the least understood publicly elected body in the state. Yet, every day the PRC makes decisions that deeply affect our lives — from the rates we pay for electricity and health care, to the quality of our air and water, and whether our state continues to create clean-energy jobs. The PRC candidates for District 1 (Albuquerque) and District 3 (Santa Fe, Taos, Española, Las Vegas) will establish rules that affect our pocketbooks, our environment and our state’s economic viability.

So that we can make informed selections, the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce is holding three candidate forums across the state this week (details at: www.nmgreenchamber.com).

The PRC has made some significant advances in the past, most notably in assuring the renewable-energy sector got off to a strong start and holding telecommunication companies accountable. But most recently, ethical issues have impacted its reputation. So, now more than ever, it’s critical that the next commissioners be held to the highest ethical standards.

Reforms of the PRC are also on the ballot this November. If passed, these amendments would increase the qualifications for PRC commissioners, transfer PRC authority for business registration and reporting to the secretary of state, and would remove the PRC’s authority over insurance. These forums will give the public the opportunity to find out each candidate’s opinions about these amendments.

The renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industry is keen to understand whether PRC candidates are committed to holding utilities accountable to laws such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Efficient Use of Energy Act. Strong leaders in the PRC means the difference between failing to meet goals for clean energy and energy efficiency, or achieving those goals and creating thousands of jobs statewide. Moreover, for these businesses it’s often the difference between expanding their operations or shuttering their doors.

So, while you may not hear much about the PRC and its candidates, whether the issue is renewable energy or electricity rates, gas lines or telephone lines, health care or ethics, the candidates need to hear from you. I hope New Mexicans in PRC districts 1 and 3 will take the time to attend these New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce forums.

Lawrence Rael is president of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.

PRC FORUMS

Santa Fe PRC Forum (District 3)

When:11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday

Where: Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, 1409 Luisa St., Suite A

Cost: $15 (lunch included)

Candidates: Virginia Vigil, Danny Maki, Brad Gallegos, Valerie Espinosa

RSVP required: Please contact SFAHBA_RSVP by phone to 982-1774 or email raquel@sfahba.com.

Albuquerque PRC Forum (District 1)

When:11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Hotel Andaluz, 125 Second St. NW Albuquerque

Cost: $20

Candidates: Karen Montoya, Cynthia Hall, Al Park, Christopher Ocksrider (invited)

Moderator: Bob White, former Albuquerque city attorney

RSVP required: email info@nmgreenchamber.com or RSVP at www.nmgreenchamber.com

Taos PRC Forum (District 3)

When:5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Kit Carson Electric Coop Board Room, 118 Cruz Alta Road, Taos

Candidates: Virginia Vigil, Danny Maki, Brad Gallegos, Valerie Espinosa

More Info: Erin Sanborn, 575-770-2991, erin@nmgreenchamber.com

• Taos Thinks Local First guide copies are available

• Sustainable Buisness Conference, July 26, 2012, Albuquerque

• Next General Meeting, Monday, April 16, Noon to 1:30 at Optimysm

• Would You Like An Intern?

• PRC Candidates’ Forum, May 2nd

• Take Action

• 2012 Legislative Update

Read the Taos Green Chamber April Newsletter

This month, we look forward to hosting Senator Tom Udall in Silver City for a roundtable with our member businesses on April 12th.  This is an opportunity for our members to hear directly about recent legislation affecting small business.

We continue to monitor cases before the Public Regulation Commission–complex cases that will have a significant impact on the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector.  We will advise our members at different opportunities to weigh in on key decisions.

The Green Chamber pleased to be part of a new effort to establish a new national Organ Mountain monument in Dona Ana County, which will create new business and attract tourists to the region.

We are working hard on a first-ever Sustainable Business Summit in partnership with the NM Business Weekly on July 26th in Albuquerque.

As always, we welcome our new members and thank our renewing members for their commitment.

Best Regards,
Allan Oliver
CEO, NM Green Chamber

Read the Newsletter: Statewide Newsletter – April 2012

“In these economic times, Las Cruces and Doña Ana County needs to look seriously at any opportunity that will help positively brand this community and increase interest in visiting, moving to, or starting a business here. Protecting our world class southwestern vistas and lands can an incredible opportunity for the future of this whole region,” said Russell Larcher, Board member for the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce.

The report, Doña Ana County’s Public Lands and Economic Prosperity, (available at  http://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/DonaAna_County_Report.pdf) was conducted by Headwaters Economics, a non-profit research group based in Bozeman, Montana that works with local officials, business leaders, and the public to help improve land management and community development decisions.

The report reviews Doña Ana County’s regional economy-along with that of southern New Mexico and the West-and the county’s success in attracting economic growth and rising salaries and wages. It discusses economic trends and the potential for Doña Ana County’s public lands to support a growing travel and tourism sector, and also attract new residents, businesses and industries.

Read the Full Release: Protect the Public Lands in Doña Ana County For Future Economic Development in the Region

Renee Frank, Board President of the Las Cruces Chapter, said, “We are thrilled to have Carrie Hamblen come on board.  She not only has the right experience and skills for the job, but she has the talent, energy, and passion to take our organization to a whole new level.”

Hamblen is currently the Operations Manager at KRWG FM, the National Public Radio affiliate at New Mexico State University.  She hosts Morning Edition, the national NPR news magazine, providing local news, traffic, and weather.  She also hosts a public affairs program, Images, which has been on the air since 1997.  Her last day on the air will be Wednesday, April 4^th.  She began working at KRWG in 1992 while pursuing her Masters of Communication Studies at NMSU.   She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at NMSU.

Allan Oliver, CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber, is excited about the appointment of Hamblen to the Las Cruces chapter.  He said, “ Carrie brings a lot to the Green Chamber—extensive experience in fundraising, programming, management and the media, as well as a commitment to the principles the Green Chamber promotes.  As a recognized leader in the Las Cruces community, I believe she will help further our efforts to support a clean energy economy, help companies green their operations and move forward our Think Local guide and events.”

About her appointment to the Executive Director position with the Las Cruces Green Chamber, Hamblen is eager to start.  “I have already begun talking with business owners in Las Cruces about either becoming members of the chamber or finding out how we can better serve their needs.  This is an exciting time for me as the opportunity to help local businesses thrive and connect with each other, enhancing our quality of life, is important to me.”

Outgoing Executive Director Elisa Cundiff announced in January that she would be stepping down after serving as the first staff of the Las Cruces Chapter.

Hamblen begins serving as Executive Director of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce on April 9^th.