Sutley toured the facility with representatives from Sen. Bingaman’s, Rep. Lujan’s and Sen. Udall’s offices, along with students from the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps and local leaders to discuss the work of the Sustainable Technologies Center and how its success can be replicated across the nation.

Chair Sutley was at SFCC to highlight how the college exemplifies the clean energy innovation and education that are building the American economy and creating job opportunities. “This is not just a building, but a place to learn to invent,” Sutley said. “It’s important to the green economy for the next generation to be trained. Clean energy education will make a difference for our security, for our communities, for our economy and for our future.”

The event provided an opportunity to engage in a discussion on President Obama’s commitment to clean energy innovation and public- and private-sector leadership to create American jobs. SFCC was the only campus Chair Sutley visited while in NM. Earlier that day she visited Sacred Power in Albuquerque.

The Sustainable Technologies Center integrates 21st century trades with advanced technologies and sustainability curricula, and works with community, state and national partners to develop and expand the renewable energy industry cluster in the region. For more information, contact Randy Grissom at 505.428.1641, randy.grissom@sfcc.edu or visit www.sfcc.edu.

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Farmers or ranchers must submit a completed claims package if they wish to participate in the claims process. Keepseagle class counsel is holding a number of meetings in the coming months throughout Indian Country to provide assistance to claimants. The dates and times of the meetings are posted at: www.indianfarmclass.com or call 888.233.5506.

The USDA is addressing civil rights complaints that go back decades, to usher in “a new era of civil rights” for the Department and to pave the way for stronger relationships with the farming and ranching community. Claims for African Americans, women or Hispanic farmers will be subject to different processes, and information will be released in the coming months.

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The troupe is sure to engage the heart and soul of audience members during this last performance of an extensive national tour. For tickets, call 505.988.1234, www.ticketssantafe.org or visit www.dancingearth.org.

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“The action of the Construction Industries Commission and the Construction Industries Division was extremely unfortunate,” said Tammy Fiebelkorn with eSolved, Inc. “They are trying to reverse a major step towards energy conservation, reduced pollution and reduced energy bills for all New Mexicans without any regard for the laws governing these types of actions.”

“The Construction Industries Commission and the Construction Industries Division appear to have taken this action despite the absence of evidence supporting repeal of the energy conservation codes,” added Douglas Meiklejohn, NMELC attorney and Executive Director. “We hope that the Court of Appeals will determine that decisions such as these must be supported by evidence in the record.”

The 2010 code was adopted after a comprehensive public process that took more than a year to complete and that included input from a variety of interests. The code governs construction of new buildings, and it was projected by SWEEP (Southwest Energy Efficiency Project) to reduce energy use in new buildings by approximately 20%, saving owners of new homes in NM as much as $66 million during the next ten years. The appeal to the Court of Appeals is expected to take at least several months.

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The country is establishing 11 new rights for nature. They are: the right to life and to exist; the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration; the right to pure water and clean air; the right to balance; the right not to be polluted; and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered. Controversially, the new legislation will also enshrine the right of nature “to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities.”

“It makes world history. Earth is the mother of all,” said Vice-President Alvaro García Linera. “It establishes a new relationship between man and nature, the harmony of which must be preserved as a guarantee of its regeneration.”

The law is part of a complete restructuring of the Bolivian legal system following the election of Evo Morales, Latin America’s first indigenous president, and a change in the constitution in 2009. These changes have been heavily influenced by a resurgent indigenous Andean spiritual worldview, which places the environment and the living earth deity Pachamama at the center of all life. Humans are considered equal to all other entities. “Our grandparents taught us that we belong to a big family of plants and animals,” said Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca. “We indigenous people can contribute to solving the energy, climate, food and financial crises with our values.”

It is not yet clear what actual protection the new laws will give in court to insects and ecosystems. The government is establishing a ministry of Mother Earth. Communities will gain new legal powers to monitor and control polluting industries. Bolivia has long suffered from serious environmental problems from the mining of tin, silver, gold and other minerals.

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In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court Justices announced that because NEE was named as a party in the previous proceedings with the EIB, it has a right to be granted party status in the current appeal. Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels asked opposing counsel what party would argue the legitimacy of the carbon cap law if NEE wasn’t allowed to participate and compared the result of that omission to “one hand clapping.”

NEE, a nonprofit advocacy group, says PNM is “the state’s largest source of carbon pollution.” NEE’s Executive Director Mariel Nanasi said, “The Court’s decision upholds the rule of law against special interests and their lobbyists. We now look forward to defending the carbon pollution reduction rule based on its economic and scientific merits.”

NEE led a two-year public process that led to the creation of the landmark law, which has been lauded by some national experts. The state Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) adopted the law in December of 2010. In January, the NM Supreme Court, in a NEE lawsuit, ruled that Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration acted unconstitutionally when it tried to prevent the publishing of the carbon pollution reduction rule as codified state law. Shortly thereafter, Gov. Martinez appointed the current EIB.

PNM and other entities regulated by the EIB (NM Oil and Gas Assn., Independent Petroleum Assn., El Paso Electric and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Assn.) appealed the statewide carbon cap rule in early January. PNM then filed an unopposed motion to stay the appeal and remand the case to the EIB. The Court of Appeals granted the motion. The NMELC then filed motions on behalf of NEE to intervene in the appeal but were denied; therefore, NMELC brought the petition to the NM Supreme Court.

On July 29, NEE filed a motion with the EIB that seeks to disqualify the EIB members for ex parte (secret) agreements between them and the utilities who seek to repeal the carbon reduction law. NEE’s motion was triggered by joint legal documents filed by PNM and the EIB in the New Mexico Court of Appeals. The joint motion provides that PNM and EIB agree to proceed before the EIB to resolve PNM’s appeal. Additionally, PNM, in its argument before the New Mexico Supreme Court conceded that there were private discussions between the EIB and other regulated entities. Supreme Court Judge Bosson asked, “Who was there to defend the rule?”

Ex parte communications with EIB members and hearing officers are strictly forbidden, and EIB members whose impartiality or fairness may reasonably be questioned must recuse themselves.

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Federal officials are refining their plans. The footprint of some solar farms has been shifted many times to address tribal and environmental concerns. In December, the Interior Department released a draft identifying 24 solar development zones with the highest potential for large-scale solar development and the fewest environmental conflicts. A supplement to be released this fall, which will be open to public comments, will improve information on biological and cultural resources.

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The tribes discussed future creative collaborations, products and opportunities, and decided to form an alliance that will allow them to work more closely together. The group will be meeting quarterly.

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Solar Wind’s solar technology installed for phone service provides 7 amps and 20 volts of power with a battery that holds a charge for seven days. The company is working on expanding to include broadband service.

SWC has been on a mission to improve the Navajo Nation by connecting it to the rest of America, while simultaneously maintaining Navajo culture. In addition to contributing its own funds, SWC has received USDA Rural Development grants and loans for these initiatives. More info: http://sacredwindcommunications.com/

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