Header for NM Green Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
May 2012
In This Issue
In the News
Call for "Team B" Task Force Members
Energy Efficiency Forums
Sustainable Business Summit
News from the Albuquerque Chapter
News from the Southwest Chapter
News from the Las Cruces Chapter
News from the Taos Chapter
News from the Santa Fe Chapter
News from the Northeast Chapter
Quick Links
  

The Green Chamber is pleased to welcome the following new and renewing* members:

 

Community Partner

 

Lambert's Restaurant

Western New Mexico University

Sol Power People, Inc.

Old Mesilla Pastry Cafe*

The Shed*

Michael Lilley, PA*

Dona Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association  

   

Thank you to our Sponsors!

 

Statewide Visionaries:

 

Positive Energy NEW


 Green Fire Times

    HDIC logo  

 

 Innovators: 

Mountain view coop

Las Cruces, NM

Sun Spot

Las Cruces, NM
CST

Albuquerque, NM


Sun-News Logo 

Las Cruces, NM

 

Intel  

Albuquerque, NM 

 

Leaders:


Focus Ink

Albuquerque, NM

fristoe and co

Las Cruces, NM

MVS Logo
Las Cruces, NM

Suntech

Las Cruces, NM

Friedman Recycling

Las Cruces, NM

Silver City Co-op

Southwest Chapter

 

MR COG

Albuquerque, NM  

 

Scalo  

Albuquerque, NM  

 

Construction Reporter  

Albuquerque, NM 

Upcoming Green Chamber Events  

 

Green Drinks

     

 

Albuquerque  

 

Wednesday, May 2nd 

Upstairs, Hotel Andaluz

5:30-7:30pm  

 

Las Cruces

 

First Fridays

Friday, May 4th

Greenworks, 125 N. Downtown Mall 

11am

 

 

 

 

In the News

 

Call for "Team B" Task Force Members:
Benefit Corporation Legislation Proposed for 2013 Legislative Session
We are pulling together a 5 to 7 member task force of volunteers who are interested in participating in a Benefit Corporation legislative task force that will meet monthly from June 2012 through March 2013.  Kick off meeting beginning in early June (date to be announced). 
 
The Team B task force will identify and reduce barriers to supporting Benefit Corporation legislation in the 2013 NM legislative session, and will receive guidance from B-Lab representatives as to how similar legislation is successfully passed in other states. 

Benefit Corporations are a new class of corporation that:
1) creates a material positive impact on society and the environment;
2) expands fiduciary duty to require consideration of non-financial interests when making decisions; and
3) reports on its overall social and environmental performance using recognized third party standards. [source:
benefitcorp.net]  

Benefit Corporation legislation has already passed in 7 states, with legislation pending in another 8 states. New Mexico will be one of many other states proposing legislation in 2013. Please join our task force to be part of a growing movement that supports a new paradigm for businesses.    

This is a high-impact, low time impact commitment and a great opportunity to gain policy experience inception through adoption. Interested volunteers should contact Celerah Hewes-Rutledge: [email protected].

You will receive a "save the date" notice for the first kick-off meeting within 2 weeks of your inquiry.


 

Energy Efficiency Forums

Find out more about how renewable energy and energy efficiency can help your bottom line at home and work.

Hosted by Santa Fe County

For Homeowners

Thursday, May 3rd
6pm
Commission Chambers
SF County Admin Building
102 Grant Ave.

For Businesses
Monday, May 7th
6pm
Commission Chambers
SF County Admin Building
102 Grant Ave
 

 

COMING SOON

NM Biz Recycles
Statewide New Mexico Recycling Coalition Conference
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20th

Click here to find out more. 
 

Santa Fe Community College

Centers of Excellence Biofuels 

 

Free Green Jobs Training for All Who Qualify!

* Biodiesel Production  

* Biomass Energy  

* Algae Production  

* Ethanol Production  

* Business Development  

* OSHA 10  

General Industry Training *  Apply now online!

 

Courses are coming up and registration is first come, first served! Visit our website for more information...

http://GreenTraining.sfcc.edu

 Featured Article


Green Zia

Help Us Recognize GREEN New Mexico Business & Organizations!

 

The New Mexico Environment Department's (NMED) Green Zia Environmental Leadership Program (GZELP) is now accepting application forms through June 15th. The GZELP recognizes any type and size of organization demonstrating a commitment to the environment through sustainability and pollution prevention practices. The program offers recognition in addition to free environmental planning and technical assistance. We have three recognition levels and two tracks (for large and small organizations). Apply for recognition or NOMINATE an organization that you feel is GREEN!!!!

  

 

For more information, Please contact NMED at: 505-827-0677 or [email protected] 


 


 

Rural Energy for America Program deadlines have been announced for FY 2012
 

The USDA-Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program funding notice, with deadlines, was announced on Friday, January 20, 2012.  This program provides grants and loan guarantees to promote non-residential energy-related projects by agricultural producers and rural small businesses.  Fact sheets are attached for each one of the kinds of funds provided by this program.  Each one provides a short description of the applicant and project eligibility, the selection and application process, deadlines for submission, and Rural Development staff contact information.  If you are a potential applicant, I encourage you to contact an RD staff member so that we can begin to help you with your application.   

 

The REAP deadlines are as follows:

 

1. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants and Loan Guarantees:   

 

Grants and loan guarantees for energy efficiency improvements (changing out lighting, freezers, boilers, pumps, insulation, roofing, etc. for more efficient ones and the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and others-including flexible fuel pumps).  Applicants can be agricultural producers, small rural businesses, corporations formed under Section 17-or those similarly organized, and rural electric and telephone companies and certain other utilities.   

 

Deadlines:    

 

For loan guarantees (without grants), applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but to compete for Fiscal Year 2012, applications must be submitted to USDA Rural Development by June 29, 2012.

 

 

Contact:

B. Jesse Mofort Bopp l State Loan Specialist, NM Rural Energy Coordinator

Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture

6200 Jefferson NE, Rm 255

Albuquerque, NM  87109

Phone:  505.761.4952 l FAX:  505.761.4977 l [email protected] 

www.rurdev.usda.gov  

 



Dear Green Chamber Member and Friends,

 

We are in the midst of a packed month of activities with PRC candidate forums in Albuquerque (May 1), Taos (May 2), and a successful event in Santa Fe yesterday. Given the big impact that the Public Regulation Commission makes on the clean energy and health sectors, as well as NM business overall, we will continue to monitor those races carefully.

 

In April our Southwest chapter was honored to host Senator Tom Udall for a well-attended forum to discuss issues affecting small businesses across the Southwest.   This is the second business event in two years with Senator Udall. This month, our Albuquerque chapter is looking forward to a presentation from Land Commission Ray Powell on his office's work on renewable energy development on public lands.

 

In the next two weeks, the New Mexico Business Weekly and the NM Green Chamber of Commerce will be accepting nominations for the first-ever sustainable business awards. These awards will be presented at the Green Chambers' First Annual Sustainable Business Summit and will be featured in the New Mexico Business Weekly. I strongly encourage our members to nominate a fellow business or their own, and receive recognition for your business's commitment to sustainability. Applications are due by May 15th.

 

Last, I'm happy to report that the Green Chamber's efforts are getting national notice. NM Green Chamber President Lawrence Rael and myself are invited to participate in a White House Business Council Forum on Friday, May 11. This should be a strong opportunity for dialogue around issues affecting our business members.

 

Stay tuned to NMGCC activities, more is on the way.

 

Allan Oliver

CEO, NM Green Chamber of Commerce


CALL FOR NOMINEES:
Sustainable Business Awards
July 26, 2012

The New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Business Weekly are now accepting nominations for the Sustainable Business Awards, in conjunction with the 2012 Sustainable Business Summit in Albuquerque this July. If you are a sustainable business in New Mexico, please submit your information.

Categories will include:

Sustainable Business of the Year
Sustainable Leadership
Sustainable Workplace
Sustainable Service or Product
Sustainable Building

For information about the awards and to submit a nominee, please click here.

Deadline for submissions is 5pm MST on May 15, 2012.


News from the Albuquerque & Rio Rancho Chapter

     

PRC Candidate Forum & Luncheon

 Tuesday, May 1st

Hotel Andaluz, 11:30-1pm

$20 cost (lunch included) 

 

Come learn about the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) candidates for District 1. The PRC regulates electric utilities, gas utilities, telecommunications, insurance, and many other aspects of the economy that are important to our community.  


Candidates:
Karen Montoya, Bernalillo County Assessor
Cynthia Hall, Esq. 
Al Park, State Representative
Christopher Ocksrider (invited)

Moderator:
Bob White, Vice-President
New Mexico Green Chamber

Questions from:
Kevin Robinson-Avila, Senior Reporter
New Mexico Business Weekly
Viki Harrison, Executive Director, Common Cause

   

May Green Drinks

Wednesday, May 2nd  

Hotel Andaluz, 5:30-7:30pm   

Presentation 6pm

 

On Wednesday, May 2nd New Mexico State Land Commissioner, Ray Powell will discuss public land and renewable energy.

Ray Powell
 

 

ABQ Print Shop Sets Example with Clean Water Practices  

Focus Ink, Inc. in Albuquerque has been accepted into the Albuquerque Water Authority P2 (Pollution Prevention) Program. One of only two print shops that have been accepted into the program, Director Ben Zimmerman stated that Focus Ink, Inc. is the cleanest print shop he has ever seen. He will be sharing their practices with other shops in the city to further reduce water contamination. Despite their multitude of print technologies, Focus Ink does not deposit any pollutants into our water supply.  

 

 


News from the Southwest Chapter
Senator Udall and SW ED
Senator Udall and Southwest Executive Director Cissy McAndrew
The highlight of the month was the April 12th luncheon the Chapter hosted for U.S. Senator Tom Udall at Diane's Restaurant in Historic Downtown Silver City.  Local business and community leaders enjoyed the opportunity to express their concerns and have questions answered by the Senator as well as discuss how the federal government may better help in building a sustainable rural economy and the renewable energy industry. 
 
April 7th members attended the Habitat for Humanity-Gila Region Open House Dedication for the affiliate's first Green Build. The Chapter also had a table at the Town's Earth Day Celebration in Gough Park.
1414 Pine St. in Silver City
Habitat for Humanity Green Home at 1414 Pine St.
in Silver City
The Local Food Committee of the SWNMGCC is moving towards implementation of a local food label for the area.  The label will be available for use by local growers and producers, restaurants, and retail establishments.  There will be an application process that will use criteria such as sustainable growing practices, treatment of animals, and support of local producers.  The label should be ready to roll out during the summer.
News from the Las Cruces Chapter

   

Earth Day at Young Park
The Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce celebrated Earth Day with approximately 50 other vendors at the annual Earth Day celebrations in Las Cruces on Sunday, April 22nd.  Several volunteers, along with newly appointed Executive Director Carrie Hamblen, staffed the Green Chamber booth, handing out dozens of Think Local First guides to attendees, registered new members, and added new contacts to the growing email list. 

 

The Las Cruces Green Chamber sponsored a Scavenger Hunt where Earth Day attendees searched the grounds for chamber members to ask questions that only they could answer.

 

One of the questions that most surprised participants was how many inches does bamboo grow in one day? 39 inches! Participants in the scavenger hunt won raffle tickets to enter into a drawing for a rain barrel, a gift basket, food coupons and a solar powered flower.  It was quite a fun day for all.

First Fridays are Back!
May 4th, 11am
125 N. Downtown Mall

The Las Cruces Green Chamber will be revamping the First Friday series in May. Andrea Lawrence from the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau will be talking about how tourism affects our local economy, with a special emphasis on the impact of National Monuments. 

The Las Cruces Green Chamber, in conjunction with the New Mexico Green Chamber, support the efforts of designating 3 vital areas in Dona Ana County as National Monuments. Andrea Lawrence will talk about the impact those dollars, in addition to other area tourist attractions, have on our local economy. 

The First Friday talk will take place on Friday, May 4th at 11:30 in the classroom at the Greenworks building, 125 N. Downtown Mall.

A box lunch will be provided for a small fee and an RSVP is requested. 

More information can be found by calling Carrie Hamblen at 575-323-1575  
 

MVM Volunteer Days 

Mountain View Market Co+op has Farm Volunteer Days at the MVM Farm in Mesiila.  

Remember, it's your farm too! So come bask in its beauty and learn a thing or two about local food production. Volunteer days are every Wednesday from 9 to 11am and the second and fourth Saturdays from 9am to noon. Contact the Co+op for details and directions by email at mvmoutreach AT gmail DOT com or call 523.0436

 

Sundays in May

Mountain View Market hosts their Sunday Growers' Market on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. This farmers' market is located in the Co+op parking lot and accepts SNAP and WIC benefits. Contact Desire' by email at [email protected] or call 523.0436

 

  

 

 

News from the Taos Chapter
 
PRC Candidate Forum
May 2nd, 5:30-7pm
Kit Carson Electric Coop Board Room,
118 Cruz Alta Road
 
Please come meet the four candidates Valerie Espinoza, Virginia Vigil, Brad Gallegos, and Danny Maki. This forum will assist you to choose and vote for the best candidate to represent Taos at the PRC. Hosted by the Taos Green Chamber. 

County Commissioners Candidates' Forum
Meet the candidates running for the Taos County Commission.
Thursday, May 3
5:30 - 6:00  Meet and Greet,
6:00- 8:00 Forum
Rio Grande Hall, Civic Plaza Drive, Taos
Call the Taos County Chamber for more details: 575-751-8800

Roundtable on NM's Economy
Save the date, May 14th, between 10-11am, location TBD.

Taos Green Chamber of Commerce will host an economist to share research that shows New Mexico's natural heritage isn't just attractive to tourists-but also to small businesses that help power the economy. 

BALLE - Business Alliance for Local Living Economies 
A report on the information from the national BALLE conference will be at the next Taos Green Chamber general meeting.
Thursday, May 24th 
Noon to 1:30 pm 
Optimysm, 314 G Paseo del Pueblo Norte, next to the main post office.

Cultural - Creative Tourism
Tuesday, June 12, 
8:30 am - 12:30 pm 
Location TBD
 
Plan to attend a working meeting on Cultural - Creative Tourism.  
We'll focus on: What is Cultural Tourism, Creative Tourism, AgriTouism, EcoTourism and more! How can your business be involved? What is happening to promote and market Cultural/Creative Tourism in Northern NM? 
Please read the April 2012, Greenfire Times, to learn more about Cultural-Creative Tourism, HERE
News from the Santa Fe Chapter

Events & Meetings

 

The Green Chamber was proud to partner with the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association to host a PRC Candidate Forum and Luncheon on Monday, April 30th. The forum gave the public the opportunity to ask questions of the PRC candidates in District 3.

 

We are currently forming a steering committee for the Santa Fe Chapter. If you would like to participate or know more, please contact us by email: [email protected]

 

Corporations Are Not People

A Discussion with Author Jeffrey D. Clements

Wednesday, May 23rd

5:30-7:30pm

Collected Works Bookstore

202 Galisteo St.

 

Join Jeffrey Clements Jeff to discuss his book and the overall movement for a constitutional amendment to restore democracy to the people

 

Sponsored by Collected Works Bookstore, the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County, and Common Cause New Mexico

 

 

News from the Northeast Chapter

Flower Power Event

 

flowers  

The week of May 14th, Las Vegas First (LVFIBA) will be having their annual Flower Power event. Flowers will arrive Wednesday, May 16th; Volunteers from LVFIBA will be on hand to sell potted flowers as well as vegetables.  

 

The sale is in the lot next to STUFF, 623 12th Street, in Las Vegas' historic Old Town district. Due to circumstances last year they had to defer the event, Board member Nancy Colalillostated, "We had to skip last year because of water restrictions. But now that we have access to alternative water sources, we're going ahead."  This year they will be using greywater and roof runoff to water stock.

 

Their plants are grown in Colorado and do very well here in Las Vegas, NM. They began this event because the only options for plants were mostly annuals available from chain stores and they were not well taken care of. LVFIBA wants to provide quality plants and show the value perennials offer.

  

SynergyFest 2012

SynergyFest 2012 

SynergyFest was last weekend, April 28th. We promoted local business, sustainable products and education. There was live entertainment, food and educational booths about local organizations. The Kids Village had adoptable animals, games, and fire safety lessons with Smokey the Bear. This year's event was sponsored by Energy Concepts Corporation, NMHU Conservation Club, The National Wildlife Refuge, and Sustainable Las Vegas, the local chapter of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association.

 

Las Vegas First
 

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