Mountain Empire Times

Upper Santa Cruz River: Summary of Field Work from 2008

2009-12-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

New report by The Sonoran Institute

The goal of this assessment is to promote a better understanding
of the health of the Upper Santa Cruz River limited to those areas above the Nogales International Water Treatment facility in Rio Rico , Tubac where an other effluent discharge area is located, and Amado. The assessment tracks aquatic and riparian health - in ten classifications - using scientific information gathered in field locations and establishes a baseline from which changes in the health of the Upper Santa Cruz River over time.
This is the first annual summary based on data from 2008 before the treatment facility in Rio Rico was part of the system. Samples taken then indicate certain high levels of dissolved chemicals in the water at different locations, and very little aquatic wildlife sustained in the river at that time.

Arizona Cowboy Symposium November 13, 14 and 15

2009-11-08T14:47:00.001-07:00

Cowboy Poetry + Western Music with four stages of entertainment daily.
Sonoita Fairgrounds

SOLAR TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP ACT APPROVED BY HOUSE

2009-10-24T14:34:00.005-07:00

In a flood of press releases it was announced that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' bipartisan legislation to boost federal research for the development of solar energy technology passed the House today with strong support from the business community.
That action can help support a new initiative here in Southeastern Arizona. Please scroll down to a posting about the Mountain Empire Energy Project

It directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration for solar technology, including:

1. Photovoltaics;

2. Solar hot water and solar space heating and cooling;

3. Concentrating solar power;

4. Lighting systems that integrate sunlight and electrical lighting in complement to each other in common lighting fixtures for the purpose of improving energy efficiency;

5. Manufacturability of low cost, high-quality solar energy systems; and

6. Development of solar technology products that can be easily integrated into new and existing buildings.

The bill passed 310-106 - a somewhat skewed bipartisan piece of legislation that should probably have gotten a bigger turnout from Republicans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was ecstatic about this future investment, stating in her press release:

"The Solar Technology Roadmap Act lays the foundation for a future of
renewable energy, sustainability, a growing economy, and good-paying jobs that
cannot be shipped overseas. This bill helps improve the performance and
reliability of solar technology, and invests in critical research and
development initiatives that will redefine how we power our homes and offices."

A detailed summary of the bill provided by Washington Watch can be viewed here

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_3585.html

To see the press announcement from U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Giffords, please click here:Solar Technology Roadmap Act announcement

Eye-opening New Morisson Institute Report:

2009-10-22T15:15:00.001-07:00

“We’re moving toward the total collapse of the park system,” said Bill Meek, member of Governor’s Sustainable State Parks Task Force, adding that fact makes little business sense since the economic impact from Arizona state parks is 10 times that of its operating budget . . ".

At a press conference today, October 22, a 46-page report was released highlighting the fact that Arizona’s 31 state parks are in “imminent crisis” and face closure and irreparable deterioration unless new and sustainable funding is established . . .

“The Price of Stewardship: The Future of Arizona State Parks.”

You can view the full report here:

The Future of Arizona's State Parks

Arizona, which had more national parks and monuments than any other state, was the last state to designate state parks in 1957. Regrettably, since 2003 the Arizona Legislature and the state's governors have eroded support for state parks in reducing General Fund appropriations, "sweeping" cash from dedicated funds and forcing the agency to survive on park-produced fees and pieces of indirect user levies, set asides and federal dollars.
Simply put, without a stable, sustainable funding, Arizona's state park system will not be able to survive.
This report looks at proven methods using creative financing mechanisms to not only keep open Arizona's state parks, but repair and improve them.

New Project Launched to Build A Model Rural Community for Renewable Energy

2009-10-12T14:06:00.002-07:00

A grass-roots project has been launched to encourage and support renewable energy installations in The Mountain Empire.

It grew out of Save the Scenic Sonoita/Elgin Grasslands http://groups.google.com/group/3SEG?pli=1.

You can help to demonstrate a commitment to preservation and conservation, to stimulate the local economy, and to ensure lower energy costs for the 21st Century and beyond.

A downloadable petition for support to help accomplish the goals can be found on the group's website.

If you would like to see The Bellows Foundation 30-page presentation titled "A New Perspective of Southern Arizona Leadership in The Solar Age", please go here

http://meepnow.org/bellows.pdf

Renewable energy projects - "green" in the current vernacular - promise to be one of the building blocks in regenerating local economies.
Report from National Governors Association As governors across the country look at ways they can help build a green economy in their state, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) has commissioned Collaborative Economics Inc. (CEI) to prepare a profile of each state’s "green" economy. This data is designed to provide a detailed, empirical account of each state’s existing assets across multiple green sectors and serve as a foundation for identifying future growth areas and related needs.
As with all economic, workforce, and energy development strategies, the NGA Center encourages states to start with a careful analysis of their existing capabilities and strengths and build on those. The profile analyzes the scope of green business activity in each state from 2000 to 2007 (the latest year data is available) and patent activity from 1994 to 2008. Such an analysis can reveal areas of comparative advantage, targets for workforce development, and opportunities for building partnerships within and across green industry segments.
This information also helps reveal the extent to which a state’s business base can meet the coming demand for things such as highly efficiency appliances, renewable energy generation systems, high-efficiency building products, and low-emission fuels.
To see the full 6-page from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices please see this link: http://www.subnet.nga.org/downloads/GEStateProfiles/ARIZONA.PDF

COWBOY COUNTRY: Preserving a Legacy for Future Generations

2009-10-04T14:03:00.003-07:00

9th Annual Empire Ranch Roundup & Open House is sponsored by the Empire Ranch Foundation in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Managment on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.

Arena Events, Western Skills, Activities and Exhibits, . Entertainment and Meet The Authors

For more details and information please go to http://www.empireranchfoundation.org

$5 Parking Donation

PREMIERE EDITION ONLINE NOW

2009-09-24T12:48:00.000-07:00