UPCOMING MEETINGS SCHEDULE
February 1 at 6 p.m.
Al Henderson presents a Rural Enterprise Development Project
How can Gallup Solar collaborate with the Rural Enterprise Institute?
February 8 at 6 p.m.
Local Solar Homeowner Association
Roundtable Dialogue
Discussion and Troubleshooting by owners of recently installed solar projects and plans for new Energy Raisers
February 15 at 6 p.m.
Gallup Solar Interface with Local and General Media
How can we use the recent spotlight on solar to keep the ball rolling?
February 22 at 6 p.m.
Gallup Solar Board Meeting
February 29 at 6 p.m.
Gallup Solar Pot Luck
Bring your friends and family for food and solar updates!
JANUARY COMMUNITY MEETINGS RECAP
January 4 at 6 p.m.
International Dark Sky City Communities
with Gabe Longhi, Psy.D.
Can you see the stars from your house in Gallup?
Should we become a Dark Sky Community like our neighbor, Flagstaff, the first International Dark Sky Community (IDSC)? We would retrofit all lighting so that light is directed only where it is needed and we would save energy! These measures preserve "the natural night" which has proven health benefits and also permits stargazing. The IDSC designees adapt standards that protect the natural night sky through outdoor lighting plans and ensure the continuation of this protection through planning and zoning directives. This is the official definition of an
International Dark Sky Community:
"a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of quality lighting codes, dark sky education, and citizen support of dark skies."
For more information go to
http://www.darksky.org/
January 11 at 6 p.m.
Some Thoughts on Lobbying from Gallup Solar's Policy Committee
“Lobbying” rhymes with “Hobnobbing.” There is nothing scandalous or devious about trying to influence government decisions; but Gallup Solar, as a 501 (h) designee would be wise to follow the rules! We have the control in deciding when and for what purposes we choose to lobby for or against any legislation relevant to our mission.
Doing so is merely one of the ways of promoting solar in our area and does not detract from our emphasis on education, energy raising and green economy promotion.
Lobbying is trying influence legislation or rule-making at all levels of our government. The federal rules about lobbying by a non-profit are governed by the IRS, because the donations we receive are “tax-deductible” and “tax-exempt!”
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Our 501 (h) has limits on the amount of expenditures we can make for “direct lobbying” and “grassroots lobbying” as %ages of our annual expenditures.
Other entities are not as strictly limited. For example, 501 c.4’s can do a lot more lobbying because the donations they receive are not “tax-deductible.”
Note that corporations and other entities are not limited at all. There are large buildings in Washington DC filled with lawyers and paid lobbyists who not only strongly influence legislation and executive actions but actually write most of the laws introduced in
Congress and regulations enacted by all the federal departments.
New Mexico’s lobbying laws don’t contradict the federal laws but are simpler and more vague. The main difference of concern to Gallup Solar is that trying to influence “rule-making proceedings” by state agencies like the PRC would be lobbying.
January 18 at 6 p.m.
FACEBOOK WORKSHOP with Rachel Kaub and David Brunt
Rachel and David Brunt collaborated on this workshop which inspired participants to use Facebook to advance the cause of Gallup Solar.
While our website languishes with the loss of Ender now living in Philly, having been in India after Gallup, see below, we are realizing that Facebook keeps us alive until we can replace him.
"Here's a photo of my being hot and sweaty as hell in sorta seedy guesthouse in Pahar Ganj in Dehli."
WE MISS YOU, ENDER
GALLUP SOLAR IS LOOKING FOR WEB AND OFFICE HELP.
CALL BE AT 505-726-2497
Gallup Solar to host Workshops on Solar Design and Installation this May
Gallup Solar has arranged to have Dr. Richard Komp, a pioneer in the field of Solar Energy, to teach a series of hands on workshops at UNM Gallup from May 24th through June 6th. These workshops will be available to the general public as well as students. The primary focus of the workshops will be to teach solar energy design and installation skills necessary to provide energy for the many homes in the Navajo Nation where no utility power is available. A more comprehensive description of the workshops will be posted as the details are finalized. Please contact Kevin by e-mail at info@gallupsolar.org for information or if you want to receive updates. Please pass this information on to men and women who you think may benefit from the training and be able to bring this valuable knowledge back to their community.
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New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light at Santa Fe |
Legislative Day for People of Faith Caring For Water, Air, Earth and People
All are invited. Participants receive information, legislative updates and ways to engage throughout the year.
Information/Registration: 266-6966 info@nm-ipl.org; rcecchinimm@hotmail.com
Co-sponsored by: NM Interfaith Power and Light, Office of Life Peace, Justice and Creation Stewardship Gallup Diocese, Conservation Voters NM, Partnership for Earth Spirituality, and MASE (Multicultural Alliance for Safe Environment)
Thursday, Feb. 2 9-3:00 Santa Fe
Schedule: 9:00 Gather in Rotunda of Round House for short prayer
And Press Conference unveil- ing Map Project documenting water pollution from dirty en- ergy in NM
10-1:00 Legislative Training at Garret Desert Inn (311 Old Santa Fe Trail), sponsored by Conser- vation Voters NM
(Bring your own brown bag lunch)
1:30-3:00 Legislative visits and actions at Roundhouse (Contact us to carpool)
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FOLLOW THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
IN SANTA FE
Grateful to our own Senator George Munoz, Gallup Solar advocated at a recent Town Hall. for this bill, whose number may change, to be enacted.
This is not a new tax but how to better spend existing one for a more energy efficient McKinley county.
See proposed changes in red.
SENATE BILL 431
50TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2011
INTRODUCED BY George K. Munoz
AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION; INCREASING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES GROSS RECEIPTS TAX MAY BE IMPOSED TO INCLUDE
RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 7-20E-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1990, Chapter 99, Section 58, as amended) is amended to read: "7-20E-17. COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES GROSS RECEIPTS TAX--AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE RATE--USE OF FUNDS
A. The majority of the members of the governing body of any county may enact an ordinance imposing an excise tax at a rate of one-eighth of one percent of the gross receipts of any person engaging in business in the county area for the privilege of engaging in business.
B. This tax is to be referred to as the "county.184800.1 environmental services gross receipts tax".
C. Imposition by any county of the county environmental services gross receipts tax shall not be subject to a referendum of any kind unless prescribed by the county charter.
D. Any county, at the time of enacting an ordinance imposing a county environmental services gross receipts tax, shall dedicate the entire amount of revenue produced by the tax for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of solid waste facilities, water facilities, wastewater facilities, sewer systems,
renewable energy facilities and systems and related facilities.
E. Any ordinance enacted [under] pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this section shall include an effective date of either July 1 or January 1 in accordance with 16 the provisions of the County Local Option Gross Receipts Taxes Act."
Click on these sites and start tracking now!
"Websites with informational updates on legislation
at the state level are
<cvnm.org> and
<nmlegis.gov>.
A wonderful site for tracking federal bills is
<thomas.gov>.
