Opinion: Oil and gas throwing stones at glass houses

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Lucas Herndon, Deputy Director, Progress Now New Mexico

(Published in Carlsbad Current Argus, July 2, 2020)

It’s no surprise that Larry Behrens uses his tired talking points when talking about the recent Legislative special session, but in his June 29 op-ed, “Renewable agenda can’t deliver for New Mexico,” there are some hasty generalizations and strawman attacks needing to be addressed.

The state does rely heavily on oil and gas revenues. That part is true. But the aim of moving New Mexico into a renewable energy future sooner rather than later has just as much to do with moving away from the unreliable nature of those fossil fuel revenues as it does protecting our environment and offering cheaper energy to New Mexico residents.

The thing about long term, reliable energy sources like solar is that the price doesn’t fluctuate whenever foreign powers decide to play chicken with international oil prices. New Mexicans deserve a budget they can count on year in and year out without having to pit teachers against healthcare workers every few months because of outside influences on the market. Make no mistake, the problem with New Mexico’s budget is BECAUSE of the over-reliance on the oil and gas sector.   Read full piece in Carlsbad Current Argus

Climate Justice is Racial Justice

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A statement from the national Interfaith Power and Light

In the United States, the effects of the climate crisis are felt first and worst by frontline communities of color and low-income people. It’s critical that we connect the dots between climate and racial justice in order to truly build communities that are equitable for all. Black, Brown, and Indigenous people are more likely to be killed by police than white people. At Interfaith Power & Light, we believe that taking bold and just action on climate change means seeking justice for the lives of our Black brothers and sisters. Read the statement from our President and board of directors in response to the killing of George Floyd here . 

In this extraordinary moment of awakening, spurred by the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, people of faith and conscience in our country are demanding an end to police violence against people of color, and shining a spotlight on systemic racism that plagues us. The legacy of white supremacy has tainted our country and still touches every aspect of life today, 400 years after the first enslaved Africans were brought to North America. We must seize this “kairos moment” — a moment of revealing — and of ripeness and opportunity, to help a new world to be born. Below, we have compiled some resources for you to use as you reflect and as we work to dismantle systemic racism. 

If you join protests, marches, or demonstrations, please stay safe, wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, and practice nonviolence. Remember that gathering in large groups can spread COVID-19, which is disproportionately killing people of color.

STATEMENTS FROM IPL AFFILIATES (including Sister Joan Brown)