Join us as we change the built environment.
Legislation Update
The 2006 Legislature passed and the Governor signed into Law several new tax credits for solar energy, home energy efficiency and alternative energy vehicles. This is in addition to the Federal tax credits that were passed last year. For more information go to the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy website at www.nmcae.org.
Work is continuing on draft policies for Governor Richardson's Climate Change Advisory Group. For more information and details got to www.nmclimatechange.us.
This committee is considering convening a summit of sustainability advocates to formulate legislative policy for the 2007 legislature. We will be talking to other groups who are considering similar action to be able to mount a coordinated effort.
New Initiatives
The adoption of LEED for City building is being considered in Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Las Cruces. If you live in any of these communities please get involved in this effort.
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture Dean Roger Schluntz has announced that sustainable design will be incorporated throughout the curriculum. Geraldine Forbes, Director of Architecture will carry this forward and we will be available to assist in this effort as it progresses.
Our USGBC Chapter was one of the sponsors for Architects for a Sustainable Future - Workshop 2006 held on March 3rd and 4th at UNM. Many great ideas for incorporating sustainable design into all buildings were discussed. The results will be published shortly along with an action plan that will involve our Chapter.
As a result of the Town Hall Meeting held in Albuquerque on February 24th and 25th the City has convened a LEED Task Force to implement the Mayor and Council's LEED policies. We will keep you informed as more happens.
Howard Kaplan, Policy and Legislation Chair, will be speaking at the Western Council of Architectural Registration Boards (WCARD) Conference in Tucson on March 17th. The Council is considering amending architectural registration requirements to include an emphasis on sustainable design. This effort also needs to be developed for engineers as well.
Volunteer
If you are interesting in volunteering on a committee of the USGBC NM CHapter, please send us an email stating your intentions.