Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

I'm running because I want to be an environmental steward by first and foremost stopping the negative effects of climate change. We must fight everyday to protect our water, have clean air, and clean soil. While serving on the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education I have supported two very specific environmental goals:

1) reduce energy use; and

2) reduce carbon emission.

As a result of this commitment by the Board and the support of the administration, students, staff, voters and especially our amazing staff, our water use is down by 43%, electricity use is down 11% and natural gas use is down by 23%. We've installed solar photovoltaic projects at Santa Fe and Capital High Schools; El Camino Real Academy; Amy Biehl, El Dorado, Gonzales and Nina Otero Community Schools; and Pinon Elementary school. Our recycling efforts have quadrupled since 2010. A great example is our food-composting program. There are currently 12 schools that send food waste to off-site composting, which is about 1,800 pounds of food waste DAILY that does not go to the landfill. For these efforts and others, the district has been recognized by Sustainable Santa Fe in 2012, 2013 and 2014. I will work everyday to make sure we as a community are doing what's right for the environment so our kids, kids have a future on this plant.

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