February 5, 2007

The Honorable ________
NM State Senate/House of Representatives
State Capitol
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Dear Senator/Rep _____

I am one of your constituents, and write regarding my opposition to the building of a large new coal fired electric plant at Desert Rock. 

I have been delighted by the leadership the Legislature has provided our state in the area of global warming, and your support of proposals to mitigate the growth of green house gases. And in particular, I am pleased by the Governor's recently announced program, based on the recommendations of his Climate Change Advisory Group. 

But the plan to build the Desert Rock power facility will deal a fatal blow to the Governor's program, because it will totally wipe out the planned savings in green house emissions in 2012 relative to the reference year 2000. According to climate change experts, we have about a decade to deal effectively with green house gas emissions in a serious way, before we risk serious consequencies to the climate. If Desert Rock is built, in New Mexico, we will have lost most of that decade.

In addition to the emission of green house gases, Desert Rock is also a matter of concern to New Mexicans because of the damage it will do to an already stressed environment in the 4Corners region. And more particularly, we are concerned by the emission of mercury from the stacks. Mercury is already a serious health issue in the state, and the additional 40% burden from Desert Rock would be unacceptable, in my opinion.

The major benefit quoted by the supporters of the plant is the economic benefit to the Navajo Nation and its citizens, but there are alternative ways to build new power capacity in the State without causing unacceptable environmental harm to the State and all its citizens. 

Thus, I believe that the Desert Rock plant, as proposed, will be harmful to the people of the State, represents bad public policy, and should not be built. I respectfully request that you  oppose the granting of tax credits or any other benefits to the builders and owners by the State in any way you can. 

Very sincerely yours,