from the NEW MEXICO NEWS CONNECTION - A statewide news service for New Mexico
Albuquerque - With speculation that the economic crisis could put President-elect Obama's plans for a new, green economy on hold but New Mexico could be well positioned to benefit, according to National Wildlife Federation president Larry Schweiger. Let the sun shine in on gloomy economic times. That's the word from almost thirty conservation groups to President-elect Obama. They say investments in renewable energy, like the solar panel plant being built right now outside Albuquerque, could be the economic rescue the country is waiting for, "I believe what we need now is to dig our way out of the financial hole we're in with a green shovel - by investing in emission reductions and adaptation."
Some analysts have warned that the deepening economic crisis is putting renewable energy investments in jeopardy. Schweiger says the other view is that the crisis presents the perfect time to shift gears to re-start the economy. State officials hope New Mexico can play a major role in a new green economy, with a deep labor pool and plenty of solar and wind energy potential, not to mention the expectation that Governor Richardson will soon be moving to Washington. Larry Schweiger says it's time to shift the focus of energy and economic policy away from the usual power centers and onto places like the Land of Enchantment, "The engines that drive our economy are not only in Detroit, they are all over this nation, in and around our national parks, our great waters, and all the treasured landscapes Americans have spent decades conserving." See details on the groups' policy recommendations at www.nrdc.org.
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