More On Our Work In New Mexico
2022
In our May 2022 issue we explore how and why dangerous levels of air and water pollution are going ignored and unchecked across our region. Learn how WRA is tackling deadly ozone concentrations, working to prevent more catastrophic wildfires, and ensuring people are protected over pollutors.
2022
In our January 2022 issue we take a deeper look at the equity implications of our work. Learn how WRA is breaking down barriers to accessing the outdoors, building community with coalition partners, and ensuring our most important decision making bodies reflect the communities they serve.
2020
The world changed over the last year. We have a deeper understanding of how social inequalities threaten both lives and livelihoods. While every person is impacted by climate change, some communities bear a far higher burden due to exposure to toxic co-pollutants, environmental racism, and economic precarity that reduces resiliency to the impacts of climate change. There can be no environmental justice without addressing climate change.
There are two primary methods of greenhouse gas accounting:
•Consumption-based (also known as flow-based or load-based accounting)
•Production-based (also known as generation-based or resource-based accounting)
Eastern states’ distinctive model for greenhouse
gas accounting (the “East Coast Model”)
combines production- and consumption-based
accounting frameworks in parallel fashion within
three independent system operators (ISOs): PJM,
New York ISO, and ISO New England.
Key
2021
Regional markets have huge potential to create cost savings and efficiencies while also speeding decarbonization of the grid. A regional greenhouse gas accounting system is crucial for maximizing the benefits of a regional wholesale electricity market. Our aim here is to offer best practices and recommendations for a future greenhouse gas accounting system in a Western regional wholesale electricity market.
2021
This issue we break down issues surrounding water scarcity in the West. Learn how WRA is helping save the Colorado River, spearhead innovative policy efforts at the intersection of water and energy, and using outstanding waters designations to protect entire watersheds.
2021
In this issue you’ll learn all about WRA’s work with wildlife corridors, why we’re tackling climate pollution from vehicles and buildings, and how one WRA supporter is helping WRA create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation workforce.
2020
For the past 30 years, the advocacy and hard work of WRA’s dedicated experts and our passionate community of supporters have helped ensure a healthier, more wide-open, and wilder West.
From systematically working to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, to protecting miles of rivers and habitat, we all can be proud of how we’ve helped protect this region. But this year has been like no other, and the challenges we face are increasing.
The Interior West is feeling pressure from every direction, and now more than ever, it’s on us all to ensure that the future we envision for this region stays within our reach. The most important way you can do this is by making sure you vote—and get everyone you know to vote.
2019
Thirty years after we were founded, Western Resource Advocates has grown stronger, more nimble, and more effective—just when our communities need it most.
2020
Recent changes in 2018 Farm Bill programs provide new opportunities to substantially reduce losses and conserve water through voluntary incentive measures that, if fully utilized, are essential to ensuring sustainability of the Colorado River.
2018
Our 2018 annual report summarizes key successes we’ve made and a refined vision that charts a path to ensuring our vibrant communities in the West exist in balance with nature.
2019
PG. 3 THE FUTURE OF REGIONAL ELECTRICITY MARKETS IN THE WESTERN INTERCONNECTION: ANALYSIS OF THE CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR’S LATEST MARKET OFFERING IN THE CONTEXT OF RECENT FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION RULINGS
Jennifer E. Gardner
2019
As most other regions of the country established regional electricity markets in the wake of FERC Orders 888, 889, and 2000, resulting in greater generator competition and wider transmission access through the establishment of Independent System Operators (“ISOs”) and Regional Transmission Organizations (“RTOs”), the West has remained in a largely balkanized operating paradigm with 38 Balancing Authorities (“BAs”) and relatively minimal coordination. There is only one regional market operating today in the Western Interconnection – the real-time Western Energy Imbalance Market (“EIM”). The EIM began market operations in November 2014 and is operated by the California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”).
2017
Our 2017 annual report showcases our work throughout the year which remains grounded in our vision for the West as a region where vibrant communities exist in balance with nature.
2018
This report, and companion public outreach brief, detail innovative water conservation strategies that provide an affordable and secure water supply for Southwest New Mexico’s largest urban population, while also protecting the Gila River.
2017
In our Fall 2017 newsletter learn about our effort to connect half our Western landscapes for thriving wildlife and unparalleled opportunities to recreate.
2017
A Simple, Cost-Effective Program for New Mexico Utilities to Reduce Carbon Pollution
2016
Our 2016 annual report summarizes key successes we’ve made and a refined vision that charts a path to ensuring our vibrant communities in the West exist in balance with nature.
2017
Jon Goldin-Dubois offers perspective on President Trump’s rollback of environmental protections and what the West can do to defend and advance the protection of land, air, and water.
2016
Deming can meet its future water needs without tapping the Gila River. This factsheet outlines how non-diversion solutions like water conservation, reuse, and existing commitments to transfer water from agriculture can secure water supplies for future generations, while saving taxpayer money and protecting fish, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and our economy.
2016
WRA is working to ensure that electricity rates are smart for our wallets, our environment, our health, and our economy.
2015
This first-of-its-kind report focuses on the extent to which water connection charges are encouraging watersaving design in new construction and landscaping before ground is broken.
2015
In this study, Western Resource Advocates evaluated the revenue-generation potential and the water, electricity, and natural gas savings that public entities can realize using performance contracting in the Colorado River Basin states.
2014
Identifies five innovative solutions that could eliminate Western water shortages stemming from the over-taxed and stressed Colorado River and meet the water needs of the West’s business, agricultural and growing population through 2060.
2014
The water supply ‘gap’ between Southwestern New Mexico cities’ water supplies and new demands is only 35 acre feet, which can be met with available water conservation practices, rather than constructing the expensive, unnecessary Gila diversion project.
2014
This report presents a credit-based carbon dioxide emission rate reduction program for existing power plants including model regulatory language.
2013
This report articulates why and how Western utilities can achieve conservation synergy by integrating water and energy efficiency programs.
2013
Practical methods for community organizations to advance energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy.
2012
Using case studies, this report highlights the close ties among energy, drought, and water use in the Intermountain West; clean energy policies that reduced the energy sector’s water use and exposure to drought; and, finally, recommendations for mitigating the impact of future droughts on the West’s energy sector.
2012
This report shows that for the first time in 20 years, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electric power sector have leveled off and have even begun to decline in the Intermountain West.
2011
In this document, we highlight regulators’ and utilities’ efforts to integrate water into resource planning.
2011
The enormous amounts of water used to generate electricity aren’t being taken into account when utilities make plans to meet future energy generation needs. This report lays out the facts of energy’s water costs and recommends ways to address them.
2011
This report examines two options now confronting the West and how they could play out: the region chooses to invest in modernizing the grid moving toward a clean energy future, or it continues to spend money on the grid in a business-as-usual manner.
2010
This report by Western Resource Advocates and Environmental Defense Fund illustrates why legislation is needed to curtail the risk climate change poses to western water supplies and highlights the water-energy nexus. The report provides detailed measures to include in a well-designed national climate and clean energy policy that will safeguard the West’s water.
2010
One out every four electricity customers in the nation gets their power from electrical co-ops or small electrical utilities. This report focuses on how these suppliers can create cost-effective, energy efficiency programs with robust community participation.
2010
A close review of economic data reveals that potential economic benefits of oil shale are far different than what proponents claim.
2009
Planning, Building, and Living Water-Smart strategies and model case studies for the arid Intermountain West.
2008
To ensure the benefits of clean energy are fully realized, Westerners and resource managers must work together to develop the transmission network needed to link wind, solar and geothermal energy to existing grids and to ensure they have equal footing with fossil fuel sources. Some of the key planning principles to achieve this are outlined in this publication.
