Heinrich Blames Bush for Job Losses in New Mexico

On Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate in New Mexico just went up for the third straight month. In fact, 1000 jobs were lost in June alone.

We caught up with Congressional Candidate Martin Heinrich (D) and U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn at a Faith & Politics prayer breakfast at God’s House Church.

Heinrich blames the job losses on the current administration. He says George Bush's economic policies are responsible for the failing economic conditions.

Heinrich told us in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that he wants to get serious about developing the energy economy because he believes jobs in the solar power industry, like the one's at Mesa Del Sol's Schott Solar, will create new jobs for New Mexicans. He also says if elected he’ll look at trade policies.

Speaking of energy, I asked him where he gets his energy for the long days of campaigning, and he told me his kids are an incredible source of renewable energy.

Heinrich’s guest at the breakfast was Congressman James Clyburn -South Carolina (D). Clyburn said he's "committed to engaging the faith community in an effort to establish a broad coalition to address issues in New Mexico."

Clyburn also told us in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that President George Bush’s compassionate conservatism and faith based programs didn’t work.

Clyburn says progressives don’t want to just show compassion, they want to demonstrate it with their works.

The senior congressman said he’s concerned about the loss of jobs here, and nationwide. He says he wants to expand his innovative STEM program, look at ways to stimulate job creation, and he says the country can’t drill its way out of the current energy crisis.

The powerful former Black Congressional Caucus Chairman, says a permit has been granted to Duke Power, in his home state of South Carolina, to construct a new nuclear power plant. It will be the first in 40 years. He believes New Mexico residents are nuclear tolerant and should consider a power plant in its energy mix.

NM Politics Writer Heath Haussamen reports on State Auditor Hector Baldera's reaction to the unemployment numbers on his blog, NM Politics.Net Balderas touted Barack Obama's economic plan on Friday morning.

The Word Is: The Governor STILL has the TOUCH!

Governor Bill Richardson

Last week, on Tuesday, the state Democratic Party hosted a Unity Party / Fundraiser. The stars of the show were four of the state's Democratic Governors, including incumbent Bill Richardson, and former Governors Jerry Apodoca, Toney Anaya, and Bruce King.

Listen to Governor Richardson's SPEECH here. The Governor says New Mexico has a good chance of "turning totally blue" this fall with victories in the U.S. Senate Race, all three congressional seats, and the presidential race.

The Governor talked briefly about his failed presidential campaign. He thanked the crowed for their support said he only had "two" problems during his national bid: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

It seems Richardson forgot the other problems he had during the campaign, including:

Number Three:
We're reminded that former South Carolina Senator John Edwards collected more votes in early primary states.

Number Four:
Richardson was criticized for his poor "Meet the Press" interview with the late Tim Russert. He apparently flew into Washington for the show late the night before, looked unprepared, and was caught being a fan of the Boston-Yankees?

Number Five:
His dismal performances in the early debates.

Number Six:
His total neglect of local press during the run for the White House.

Number Seven
An outstanding campaign debt which the AP reports is down to about $285,000.

A TOUCHY Topic!

When State Party Chairman Brian Colon introduced the Governor, he mentioned Obama's visit to the Duke City the day before, and Obama's encouraging words about a possible role for Richardson if he's elected this fall.

Rub a Dub Dub: The governor reaches out and touches my dome for luck?

After his speech the Governor surprised me by rubbing my bald head (an aide says he does it for "luck" similar to rubbing a buddha's stomach). I wanted to talk to Richardson about the energy crisis and dependence on foreign oil.

As a former energy secretary, it was disappointing to hear him say in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that he won't support building a clean and green nuclear power plant in the state, despite the fact that he knows one plant may provide half of the state's energy needs. Richardson dismissed a followup question by bopping me on the head again.

As a past energy secretary he's also aware how viable nuclear plants are in countries like France.

The governor says he'll work to develop wind, solar, and biofuel technology first.

Richardson appears more eager to tow the party (read Obama) line regarding domestic nuclear power plants. On Saturday, Richardson delivered the weekly Democratic Party Radio address. We reviewed the text of the address here and listened to Richardson outline some of Obama's energy and economic policy ideas here.

During the Unity event Jerry Apodoca declined to address the crowd, Toney Anaya was saluted for first proposing a bullet train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, and the Cowboy Governor Bruce King was recognized by all as being the "most popular man in the room."

Perhaps, with new poll numbers showing his approval ratings dropping below 50% approval, for the first time, Richardson felt the need to rub a head, or two, for some fresh luck before Obama makes his "pick".

To read even more about the fundraising event check out Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Kate Nash's post on her blog, Green Chile Chatter.


Photo Credits: MG Bralley

The Word Is: Scientists are Frustrated with Anemic Energy Discussions!

Nuclear Power Can Increase Performance and
Efficiency in the United States.

Humans consume 15 trillion kilowatts of energy worldwide every year, and by 2040 that number will double to 30 trillion as developing nations build infrastructures and create better lives for their "energy poor" citizens.

James Conca, is the director of the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center and Institute of Energy and the Environment, which is operated by NMSU.

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW, Conca says we are running out of fossil fuels and we need to look at a more efficient, and reliable, three-part energy mix, including fossil, renewables, and nuclear power.

He says we've been dawdling too long, "the country should have started developing alternatives after the 1973 oil embargo."

Conca has co-authored The Geopolitics of Energy: Achieving a Just and Sustainable Energy Distribution by 2040 with Judith Wright. The book, is designed like a magazine, and is easily read in two to three hours. It asks the question "What future do you want, environmental degradation or environmental stewardship?

Conca and Wright suggest if alternatives are not brought online quickly, fossil fuel use will also increase and more than double Carbon Dioxide emissions with all it's unwanted health and enviromental side effects.

They say the solutions must be in place by 2010 to be effectively serving the world's expanding population in the next thirty years.

The book suggests by 2040 the world must have:

• 3 Million Wind Turbines
• Solar Arrays totaling 3 trillion kWhrs/year
• 1,700 new nuclear reactors
• Biofuels from algae, cellulosics and high-efficiency biomass
• 3 trillion kWhrs/year from other alternatives including wave, tidal and bio gas.

The authors say the increasing efficiency and return from nuclear energy, the small footprint, the lack of Carbon Dioxide emission, the small amount of waste generated and the the ease of handling, has led to a resurgence of nuclear power worldwide.

Clearly, the U.S. has abdicated its leadership role in nuclear energy and it needs to become involved again. France is already 80% nuclear. It's clean, safe and efficient and it generates more power than solar.

It's time to start building power plants. One plant, in Southern, New Mexico can replace 52% of the state's coal powered energy.

Congress needs to cancel their summer recess and work on developing sustainable energy policies for the future. But, they WON'T. I hope they at least turn the lights out on their way home to denial.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley