Register for Conservation Lobby Day today!

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
10:00am to 2:30pm

From common-sense energy efficiency measures to protections that keep our drinking water safe, the Martinez administration and big polluters are maneuvering to put critical environmental protections on the chopping block.

Now, as the 2012 legislative session ramps up, everything we hold dear – from the quality of the air we breathe to New Mexico’s growing green economy – is at stake. That’s why it is critical that New Mexicans, like you, help hold the line by telling anti-conservation legislators and the Martinez administration that you care about protecting the Land of Enchantment.

Help us build a firewall and protect our communities -- Register today for our 2012 Conservation Lobby Day, and learn how to become an effective advocate for conservation and your community.

Conservation Lobby Day is your day to voice why you care about New Mexico’s land, air, water, and open space. Join us on February 2nd for an advocacy training, a tour of the roundhouse, and an opportunity to let your legislators know that you care about conservation.

Registration begins at 9:30am at Garrett’s Desert Inn in Santa Fe, located at 311 Old Santa Fe Trail. The program begins promptly at 10:00am.

You don’t want to miss this annual training to become an effective environmental advocate in the Land of Enchantment! Seating is limited, so take a moment and reserve your seat today!

For any registration questions, contact Molly Brook.

Why Lobby Day?

From common-sense energy efficient buildings to clean rules that protect our drinking water, the decisions that our elected officials make at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe directly impact all of us on a daily basis. A single bill has the power to transform – for better or worse -- the quality of water we drink and the air we breathe for years to come. At the same time, the decisions made during the legislative session don’t always seem clear, transparent or accessible – and getting involved can feel intimidating.

Remember: while legislators are faced with making difficult decisions every day, they are chosen to represent our communities by New Mexicans like you, your neighbors, and your friends. It is up to all of us to make sure that our legislators are protecting our communities, not hurting them.

On any one issue, decision-makers hear from many different stakeholders – most of which are paid lobbyists for special interest groups, not members of our communities. That’s why it is absolutely critical that our legislators know that we care about drinking clean water, breathing clean air, and protecting our communities.

Help protect New Mexico's carbon pollution reduction policies

For the past several years, New Mexico has been working to implement the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) – a regional cap-and-trade program that partners with other western states and Canadian provinces to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and jumpstart our local clean energy economy.

In line with the WCI, the NM Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) was petitioned to craft rules for carbon pollution reduction (2008) and a cap-and-trade program (2010) pursuant to the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act.

The first petition, led by conservation allies New Energy Economy (NEE) and the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC), called for big polluters to reduce carbon pollution by 3% per year from 2010 baseline levels beginning in 2013. The program would phase out -- or not go into effect -- if the state adopts a regional program, such as a WCI proposal, or if national legislation is enacted.

A second petition, spearheaded by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), called for the state to develop rules that would enable New Mexico to participate in a regional greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program with other members of the WCI.

Over a year ago, the EIB held a series of exhaustive hearings to evaluate both proposals.  After months of debate, discussion, and public input from New Mexicans across the state, the Board voted to adopt both proposals: NMED’s proposal passed in Nov. 2010; NEE’s passed in Dec. 2010. Both rules represent a critical step in fighting climate change that is aggravating drought, wildfires, and public health problems; they also send an important signal to companies and investors that New Mexico is committed to building a clean energy economy.

Unfortunately, every step forward in tackling carbon pollution has been met with fierce opposition – mostly from fossil fuel-dependent industries and the Martinez administration. In January 2011, Governor Martinez appointed new members to the EIB.

Since then, two petitions have been filed with the new EIB to rescind the very carbon pollution rules that passed in 2010. Now, and over the coming weeks, the EIB will hold hearings to discuss these petitions and solicit input from the public. The fossil fuel industries are preparing for a fight. It is vital that our community leaders and neighbors know that New Mexicans, like you, support protecting New Mexico’s resources, communities, and clean energy future by reducing carbon pollution. Want to learn more about this campaign or get more involved? Contact molly@cvnm.org.

Additional Resources:
For EIB hearing dates and information, click here.
For background information on the state’s efforts to combat climate change, click here.
To read New Mexico’s cap-and-trade program language, click here.
To read New Mexico’s carbon pollution reduction program language, click here.
To read the pending petitions to rescind the carbon pollution control and reduction programs, click here.

Writing your Elected Officials

Writing a letter to an elected official is one of the easiest ways of conveying your thoughts and concerns on an issue to the people that represent us in the Legislature. Taking five minutes to write a letter does make a difference. 

Calling Your Elected Officials

As a citizen, you have the right to call and express your opinion to an elected official. When the phone rings in your legislator's office, they are obligated to answer. When the phone rings continuously at your legislator's office regarding a specific issue, the elected official is compelled to take heed and hopefully take action. Legislators work to serve the people. They cannot do their jobs effectively if they do not hear the opinions and interests of the people, especially the citizens in their district. The following are some recommendations for placing a phone call to your elected official.

Meeting with Your Elected Officials

Meeting with an elected official is simply the face-to-face version of writing a letter or having a telephone conversation. Most legislators want to meet with citizens to hear their concerns and recommendations. You only have to be a citizen passionate about a conservation issue to get your message across, not an expert lobbyist. Because you hold the power of the vote, your opinions carry more weight than any number of lobbyists. Don't be afraid of lobbying as it is simply expressing your opinion and trying to sway someone that your view is the correct one.

Writing an Effective Letter-to-the-Editor

The editorial page is one of the most important sections of any newspaper. More people read the "Letters to the Editor" section than many other portions of the paper. This is an ideal forum for conveying your message about conservation issues.

Calling into a Talk Radio Program

Talk radio programs are great formats for presenting your viewpoints on an issue and possibly influencing listeners and decision makers. Over 90% of talk radio listeners do not call in, which leads to a discussion that does not always reflect all sides of the issue. Talk radio programs are the prime opportunity to speak out and share our knowledge, experiences and concerns on a specific issue.

Testifying at a Public Meeting or Hearing

This is the decade of public involvement, especially at the local level. If a bill or action affects you or your organization, the process to make your message heard is easier and more important than ever.

Attending a Town Hall Meeting

A large and well-informed turnout at a town hall meeting or a community forum is an extremely effective way of sending a strong message to your elected official AND to the media (and, hence, the general public). If your lawmaker is supportive of your issue, a show of support helps to solidify his or her position.