Governor Richardson To Review Ideas to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Santa Fe, NM - December 1 -- Governor Bill Richardson's Climate Change Advisory Group announced today that New Mexico could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 267 million metric tons and create a projected $2 billion net economic savings for New Mexico's economy over the next decade if the state adopts 69 policies they developed on climate change.

The group, created by Governor Richardson in 2005, was tasked with developing policy recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The diverse group has been working on its recommendations for more than a year and sent its final report to the Governor today.

"Climate change ranks as one of the most serious environmental challenges we face today, and the federal government has not showed leadership in addressing it," Governor Richardson said. "The implications of climate change for New Mexico - especialy our freshwater and snowpack - are potentially severe if we don't act now."

"Climate change issues are at the top of the list of priorities in New Mexico, across the nation and in many nations around the world," said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry. "With Governor Richardson's leadership, we were the first state to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and we are well ahead of other states on addressing these issues."

The recommendations would create greenhouse gas emissions reductions through initiatives in transportation, land use, energy supply, agriculture, forestry and energy use in residential, commercial and industrial operations. Some of the top recommendations of the advisory group are to increase the renewable energy portfolio, create incentives for energy efficiency in buildings, require cleaner cars and reduce emissions from oil and gas production.

Governor Richardson has already taken steps that are in line with the recommendations of the advisory group. For example, the state's renewable portfolio standard requires that ten percent of all electricity be produced from renewable sources by 2011, and the Governor will work to increase the percentage further during the next session of the Legislature. On October 31, 2006, the Governor announced a far-reaching package of energy proposals including a $23 million investment in energy efficiency and green buildings, a recurring investment of $9.6 million for land, wildlife and clean energy projects and $3 million in tax incentives for biofuels, energy efficient appliances and renewable energy manufacturers.

In spring 2005, Gov. Richardson issued an executive order establishing greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for New Mexico and called for the creation of the advisory group to meet those goals. The state's greenhouse gas reduction goals were targeted to meet year 2000 levels by 2012, 10 percent below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. New Mexico, along with Arizona and California, is among a growing number of states to create climate change advisory groups.

New Mexico's advisory group consisted of about 40 representatives from tribes, industry, agriculture, universities and our national labs and environmental nonprofit groups. The group met six times around the state for the past year and a half to gather public input for the process. Technical workgroups developed details of recommendations and determined emissions reductions and cost savings.