Rio Grande Chapter

02/02/2012 From Michael Brune, Executive Director

Have you ever had to turn away millions of dollars? It sounds crazy, but here's why the Sierra Club chose to do exactly that.

In 2010, soon after I became the organization's executive director, I learned that beginning in 2007 the Sierra Club had received more than $26 million from individuals or subsidiaries of Chesapeake Energy, one of the country's largest natural gas companies. At the same time I learned about the donation, we at the Club were also hearing from scientists and from local Club chapters about the risks that natural gas drilling posed to our air, water, climate, and people in their communities. We cannot accept money from an industry we need to change. Very quickly, the board of directors, with my strong encouragement, cut off these donations and rewrote our gift acceptance policy. Let me tell you how it came about.

Members and supporters of the Sierra Club from throughout New Mexico are speaking out in favor of clean air and against the pollution coming from the San Juan coal-fired power plant. These comments were sent to the EPA and our New Mexico Senators in December to support the EPA ruling that this coal plant needs to reduce it's nitrogen oxide pollution by 80%.

SANTA FE, N.M.— On January 19th, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) filed its Brief in Chief for its clients in an appeal arguing that the New Mexico Construction Industry Commission violated numerous laws when it rolled back the Energy Efficient Building Codes adopted in 2010. The Commission did not meet requirements that give the public the right to effectively participate in the making of laws and that require decision-makers to explain their actions.

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is developing plans to assist in the restoration of areas in the Jemez that were severely damaged last year by the Las Conchas fire. And you are invited to participate as volunteers in this important effort. Please contact Mike Weinberg (505) 231-7322

By John Buchser, Chapter Chair

Radio has been my college course over the last year—with a quiz every Friday. Chris Diestler interviews me every Friday morning on local rock ’n’ roll station 101.5 FM.

By Dan Lorimier, Conservation coordinator, Southern and El Paso groups

After roughly two and a half years of effort, the Rio Grande Chapter has successfully helped protect New Mexico’s precious but highly threatened groundwater that 9 out of 10 of us rely on for drinking.

The Sierra Club supports the existing carbon-cap law passed by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) in 2010.

The Gunnison Prairie Dog population in Galisteo Basin has increased from 58 in 2009 to 250 in 2011 thanks to a coordinated effort by the Sierra Club, City of Santa Fe, People for Native Ecosystems, and Wild Earth Guardians.