Several bills featured in his 2007 legislative agenda were important for the environmental community, and our efforts to protect our air, land, water and wildlife.
Conservation Victories
As a result of the intensity brought by the Governor, his staff, and energy and environmental advocates in the Roundhouse, one of the first bills to be enacted was the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (SB 418). This measure increases the existing standard so that utility companies must have 15% renewable energy in their portfolios by 2015, and 20% by 2020. It also sets a renewable energy standard for rural electric co-operatives in the state. With SB 418, New Mexico is firmly established among the country’s clean energy leaders. Another accomplishment for the Governor and his staff was their successful efforts to negotiate a bill that would protect private landowners from irresponsible oil and gas production by companies who own the mineral rights beneath the surface of the property. Thanks in part to the active engagement of the Governor’s office, the Surface Owners’ Protection Act (HB 827) finally passed in 2007, after several years of painstaking work by a diverse group of agricultural and conservation advocates.
In addition to increasing the renewable energy standard, an impressive package of clean energy policies was enacted – a result of the importance that Governor Richardson places on making New Mexico the ‘Clean Energy State’. He sent a clear message: our state’s economy and environment will benefit from a new energy future – one that he is actively building during his tenure.
Good intentions
For the second year in a row, Governor Richardson championed the Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act (HB 433/SB 309). However, the Legislature failed to pass this landmark, long-overdue bill that would provide a dedicated source of revenue for conservation projects around the state. On the bright side, the 2007/2008 budget does include a modest $3 million for land and wildlife conservation and clean energy projects. But given the huge, pressing need to protect working farms and ranches and open spaces from encroaching development, this legislative loss – amidst many other gains – was admittedly a disappointment for the conservation community. We look forward to a redoubled effort by the Governor and his staff to work in earnest with the Legislature on securing ongoing revenue for conservation.
Standing Ground
In addition to his strong leadership in pushing an aggressive clean energy agenda, Governor Richardson’s courage and principle were demonstrated when exercising his veto power. The first veto requested by conservation and public interest advocates in 2007 was a bill (SB 363) that would have removed the requirement for candidates to electronically file their campaign reports. Currently, any citizen with access to the internet can view campaign donations, including those from polluting industries. In this time of increasing distrust between the public and elected officials, we should be aiming for better disclosure, not less. Fortunately, Governor Richardson shared this perspective and vetoed SB 363, ensuring that the public will continue to have timely access to campaign reports.
Conservation advocates locally and nationally were alarmed to see an appropriation in the legislative budget for $945,000 for “Gila basin water development”, a clear effort to secure funds for a diversion project on the last, free-flowing river in New Mexico. After a swift, strong grassroots effort opposing the appropriation, Governor Richardson line item-vetoed the money, explaining that the language did not contain the ‘proper balance’.
Two other critical vetoes exercised by Governor Richardson on behalf of New Mexico’s environment were SB 845, which would have exempted crop-dusting businesses from the Hazardous Waste and Ground Water Protection Acts, and SB 220, which would have eliminated the surtax on coal, providing a de facto $6.9 million subsidy to a thriving, dirty industry. Both bills were pocket-vetoed by the Governor.
Engaging Allies
Once again, this Administration worked closely and effectively with advocates from the conservation community. Several agencies – particularly the Environment Department and the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department – actively reached out and collaborated with community and grassroots efforts, both in pushing for good policy and fighting anti-conservation measures.
This level of engagement has become a hallmark of Governor Richardson’s administration, and may be unprecedented in New Mexico. His leadership has fostered a climate, both inside and outside the Legislature, where environmental measures can thrive. This contributed to the remarkable achievement of 23 pro-conservation bills being enacted.
Bravo, Governor Richardson!
