Events are moving quickly on many fronts to advance the Southwest in a more climate-friendly direction. Colorado’s legislature, spurred on by new Governor Bill Ritter, took prompt action to double the state’s renewable energy requirement to 20% for electricity generated by the state’s largest utilities. Opposition continues to grow against the proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant near Shiprock. Folks often ask how they might tackle such an imposing issue as global warming on an individual, or local level. There are many easy opportunities to reduce your own contribution to global warming, from simple steps like buying compact fluorescent light bulbs to weightier steps like shifting to a hybrid vehicle. If you have not yet signed up for Green Power, contact your local utility about options for buying wind power. Even more important, we can take part in efforts to prevent massive new pollution sources like Desert Rock and Tri-State’s new planned coal power plants. Desert Rock’s 12.7-million tons of annual carbon dioxide pollution would negate all of the climate protection efforts suggested for the entire state of New Mexico. Tri-State’s multi-million ton contribution would equally counteract Colorado efforts towards reducing global warming, and thus jeopardizing our ski industry, agricultural industry, and ecosystems. Plenty of long-running campaigns are coming to a head in the next few months. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has completed the public hearings for the Desert Rock Draft Environmental Impact Statement [see the Desert Rock power plant page for public comment information]. The Bureau of Land Management should announce its new plan for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in August. The final decision for drilling coalbed methane wells in the HD Mountains was appealed by SJCA and others in May.
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Oktoberfest,
Blocks 9-10, Downtown Durango, September 29-30 San Juan Citizens' VERY fun fundraiser. Live music, brew, kids events and food, and a drawing for a bicycle cruiser! More> |
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The GBR, Green Business Roundtable The Green Business Roundtable helps INSPIRE, EDUCATE, and IMPROVE the business community on environmental issues through a monthly lunch networking event. More> |
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Donate Now Your efforts really help! Want to donate? Powered by JustGive.org. You will leave San Juan Citizens site. |
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What's Hot - Desert Rock |
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What’s Hot - Canyons
of the Ancients The BLM’s long-awaited management plan for the 165,000-acre Canyons of Ancients National Monument is expected in August. More> |
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What’s Hot - Oil and Gas Update -
Success for Landowners New Mexico and Colorado legislatures pass sweeping reforms to strengthen the rights of landowners facing new gas wells. More> |
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What’s Hot - HD Mountains Diverse interests including farmers, outfitters, local governments and conservation groups challenge the Forest Service decision authorizing dozens of wells in HD Mountains roadless area. More> |
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| Late September-Early October | Expected new comment period deadline for the Desert Rock Draft EIS |
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| Sept. 29-30 | Oktoberfest - Downtown Durango |
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October 2-4 |
Conference - Sustaining Colorado's Watersheds: Making the Water Quality Connections [pdf] Breckenridge, Colorado |
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| San Juan Citizens Alliance is a grass roots organization dedicated to social, economic and environmental justice in the San Juan Basin. We organize San Juan Basin residents to protect our water and air, our public lands, our rural character, and our unique quality of life while embracing the diversity of our region’s people, economy and ecology. |
