SUSTAINABLE SANTA FE COMMISSION
25 YEAR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS
April 2017
The complete Recommendations can be downloaded at:
www.sustainablesantafe2040.com
1. Transportation
The majority of people who live and work in Santa Fe use cars as their main form of transportation. By making a
variety of improvements to the city’s bus system, and through smarter planning of housing developments, we can
increase bus ridership, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Environment
Equity
Economy
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Triple Bottom Line Issues
Transportation is the largest contributor to Santa Fe’s greenhouse gas emissions
75% of Santa Feans drive alone to work.
Pollution from cars contribute to asthma and lung disease.
1 % of Santa Fe’s population currently uses the bus to get to work.
Not all neighborhoods in Santa Fe have the same access to trails and sidewalks.
Newer, more efficient cars, like hybrids and electric vehicles, are expensive.
60% of the Santa Fe workforce lives outside the City and commutes.
Middle income families spend over 50% of their money on transportation and housing
The ave American household spent $9,500 on transportation, $2,000 of it on gasoline and
motor oil in 2015.
Taking the bus, carpooling, and biking saves money.
Santa Fe’s bus system has an annual ridership of over 1 million trips, and the Rail Runner
train provides almost 750,000 annual rides from the Santa Fe area.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. Buses, roads, bike lanes & walkways
that allow people to easily get to their
destinations
2. Affordable, high-density, work/live
developments, with access to many
transportation options
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3. Access for all people to trails and bike
paths to support healthy lifestyles
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ACTIONS
Increase frequencies and reduce transit times on Santa Fe
Trails buses on key routes, especially on nights and weekends.
Increase access to and from transit stops to reduce time of
travel.
Increase affordable housing options in Santa Fe.
Incentivize more work/live developments and higher densities
through the creation of more flexible zoning districts/overlays.
Encourage greater purchase and use of lower emission vehicles
through incentives and regulations.
Promote active transportation with events like Bike‐to‐Work
Week, promote Safe Routes to Schools, and promote/sponsor
bicycle-based street events/group rides.
Ensure access to bikes for all people that need them.
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2. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Reducing electricity and heating use cuts greenhouse gas emissions and saves money on utility bills. A wide
variety of cost-effective energy-efficient strategies can be taken in homes, businesses and government facilities,
such as switching to LED lighting, purchasing energy efficient appliances, and better insulating walls and roofs.
Renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for electricity, is an effective way to save money and
fight climate change.
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Environment
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Equity
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Economy
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Triple Bottom Line Issues
Electricity generation is the 2nd largest greenhouse gas source in Santa Fe, after
transportation.
54% of PNM’s electricity came from coal in 2015.
It takes 0.5 gallons of water to produce 1 kWh of energy on PNM’s grid.
Emissions from PNM’s coal power plant contributes to climate change as well as haze, acid
rain, and respiratory illnesses, impacting Navajo communities where the coal plants are
located.
NM law currently makes community solar projects difficult, making renters unable to
access the cost savings and environmental benefits of solar electricity.
Between 2007-2015 Santa Fe County residences and businesses invested in over $33 million
in solar PV installations.
The average household in Santa Fe spends close to $2,000/year on heating and electricity.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. Scaled-up energy efficiency in the
community
2. Scaled-up renewable energy in the
community, aspiring to 100% renewables
by 2040
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3. City of Santa Fe leading by example,
achieving 100% renewable energy
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ACTIONS
City will create programs and projects to reduce energy use.
Implement a public information campaign about affordability
and payment strategies for solar PV and energy efficiency.
Demonstrate affordability of solar by developing solar projects
with low-income residents and non-profit organizations.
Help make solar PV affordable through more financing options.
Upgrade city facilities to reduce energy and water use through
performance contracting.
Showcase the benefits of renewable energy through pilot solar
projects in the city.
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4. Clean, reliable, and affordable energy
from utilities
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Create a regional utility coalition to advocate for statewide
utility advancements.
Plan for electric vehicles in our future with renewablepowered charging stations.
Support advocacy and policy organizations working for added
renewable energy sources and energy storage.
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3. Waste
The City of Santa Fe is developing a Zero Waste plan, which seeks to minimize the amount of waste that goes to a
landfill by increasing rates of recycling, re-use of materials, and demanding that manufacturers reduce the
amount of non-reusable materials used in their products and packaging.
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Environment
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Equity
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Economy
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Triple Bottom Line Issues
In 2015 the county’s Caja del Rio landfill recorded 138,598 metric tons of waste, equivalent
to 6 pounds of waste per person each day in Santa Fe County.
Food and yard waste that end up in landfills decompose and produce methane gas, which
has 28 times the heat trapping potential as carbon dioxide.
13% of the world’s electronic waste sent for recycling ends up in foreign countries, where
laborers take apart the components, exposed to toxins and dangerous working conditions.
Reduce is always better than recycling.
There is currently little market opportunity for recycling glass; it is an opportunity for
entrepreneurs to utilize a very cheap material.
Reunity Resources and other organizations collect food waste from businesses and turn it
into compost available for agriculture, gardens and green belts.
The Santa Fe Waste Water Division also converts sludge into compost for community use.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
Zero Waste plan for the
City that will reduce waste
to landfills
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ACTIONS
Pass a Universal Recycling Ordinance in the City and County requiring all
businesses to provide recycling and establish full multi-family home recycling.
Require 100% recycling participation for city offices.
Implement a “green purchasing” policy that will ensure public money be spent
on goods and services that have the least negative environmental impact.
Increase impact of creative and experiential educational and outreach.
Pass a local resolution supporting extended producer responsibility (EPR),
requiring manufacturers and retailers to redesign products and packaging to
reduce their impact at end-of-life.
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4. Built Environment
How we construct buildings and design our communities can have a large impact on greenhouse gas emissions,
transportation, and our quality of life. Compact communities, just like the pueblos of native communities or the
historic downtown in Santa Fe, allow us to eliminate the expense and time spent in cars, reduce energy and water
use of isolated buildings, and preserve the natural landscape.
Triple Bottom Line Issues
 Electricity and heating in buildings make up the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in
Santa Fe, after transportation.
 Households in Santa Fe consume 60% of all natural gas usage and 42% of all electricity usage.
Environment
 City facilities consume 6%, public schools 3%, and State facilities 5% of electricity in Santa Fe.
 Homes that recycle grey water and have rain catchment systems can eliminate their need to
use potable water for landscaping and plants.
 2,500 renters earning $25,000 and less can’t find affordable units in Santa Fe (2013).
Equity
 Over 400 homes are in bad condition and in need of rehabilitation in Santa Fe (2013).
 The construction industry made up 6% of Santa Fe’s employment in 2013.
 Energy efficiency retrofits are an area of job training and employment potential.
Economy
 Mixed-use developments can provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop
businesses to meet neighborhood needs.
GOALS
1. Net-zero energy and
water in all new
buildings
2. Net-zero energy and
water in existing
buildings
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3. Neighborhoods that
promote walking,
biking, public transit,
diversity and energy
and water conservation
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Let’s Make Change!
ACTIONS
Develop Green Building Codes for Multi-Family and Commercial Buildings using
the new Green Building Codes update.
Create Water Rebate for Water Efficiency Improvements in Buildings/Landscaping
Using the Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS) Tool to model indoor and outdoor
water efficiencies and assign a score. Develop a water rebate based on improving a
property’s water score.
Implement a point-of-listing energy and water score disclosure for all buildings
listed for sale to incentivize sellers to conduct energy and water conservation
upgrades prior to listing their properties.
Develop energy and water efficiency standards for residential rental units,
enforced at annual registration or re-registration to encourage energy and water
conservation improvements to existing rental housing stock.
Pilot an Eco-District in a low-income neighborhood. Eco districts are
neighborhoods that are designed to address income, education and health
disparities, and environmental challenges, and are developed with community
members to identify their priorities and design the solutions that best fit their
needs.
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5. Environment
The land, trees, plants, and animals in both the wilderness and green spaces in the City add immeasurable value
to our lives and economy. In order to insure that our children will be able to experience a thriving natural
environment, we need to preserve nature and help areas recover where human development has negatively
impacted ecosystems.
Triple Bottom Line Issues
 Forest fires, deforestation, and logging can be significant sources of greenhouse gases.
 Homes and roads spread across Santa Fe County, dividing habitat and interrupting wildlife
corridors.
Environment
 Legacy nuclear waste in the canyons around Los Alamos National Labs poses a
contamination threat to the Rio Grande, a source for the City’s and County’s drinking water.
 After more than a century of fire suppression, our forests are at risk of high-severity
wildfires.
 Less access to hiking and biking trails on the southwest side of Santa Fe.
Equity
 Many homes in the foothills on the eastern side of town restrict access to trails and divide
wildlife habitat.
 Many tourists come to experience the clean air and access to the mountains for outdoor
recreational activities.
 State and federal government agencies involved with land management, water engineering,
Economy
forestry and wildlife management provide employment opportunities in Santa Fe.
 Nearby forest operations produce wood that can be used for entrepreneurial activities,
including for fuel, mulch, and compost
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. Mitigation of catastrophic events, such
as wildfires, prolonged drought, flooding
and erosion, and pollution from nuclear
and toxic waste stored at LANL
2. Comprehensive understanding,
preservation, and support of our trees,
plants, wildlife and valued materials and
processes in our natural and urban
landscapes
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ACTIONS
Implement responsible land management practices on public
and private lands to address fire, erosion, and flood
management, while creating new jobs.
Pursue legislative mandates for near term comprehensive
cleanup of legacy waste buried upstream of Santa Fe at LANL,
posing a hazard to our food, air and water.
Promote environmental stewardship by expanding our
educational programs in areas of environmental science and
provide experiences for our children in our natural environment.
Enhance education, research and management in partnership
with our many active environmental nonprofit organizations.
Support development of green infrastructure in our
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3. Preservation of high air quality
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community to maximize water infiltration, protect tree cover,
minimize the use of toxic chemicals, minimize emissions, and
maximize soil and plant uptake of carbon.
Implement new assessment programs that include expansion
of mobile air quality monitors and identifying ongoing and new
sources of air pollution.
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6. Water
Climate change in our region is leading to warmer temperatures and droughts, as well as to heavier rain events.
In order to maintain enough water supply, local governments will need to carry out projects to increase water
infiltration into the aquifers, ensure supplies from diverse sources, and continue to use water efficiently.
Triple Bottom Line Issues
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Maintaining sufficient water supply for homes and businesses as well as plants and animals
along riverways.
 About 0.5 gallons of water are consumed for each kWh of electricity on PNM’s grid.
 Rural households that rely on wells must be able to maintain water supplies if aquifers
aren’t replenished and water tables fall.
Equity
 Water rights must be fairly allocated between towns, rural communities, and farmers.
 Pricing structures for water must be fair across economic classes.
 Re-use of grey water and green infrastructure that helps aquifers better absorb storm
water can lead to the creation of new jobs and industries.
Economy
 The City of Santa Fe’s water tariffs incentivize households to only use what they need, and
provides the utility with money to design and operate a reliable water system.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
ACTIONS
1. New strategies to support water
 Encourage onsite re-use of grey water and rainwater
conservation and water re-use
collection in residences and businesses, cutting demand of
potable water while saving users’ costs.
 Encourage re-use of municipal wastewater and conversion to
potable water.
2. Regional and equitable water system that  Collaborate on regional water management solutions to
is responsive to population growth and
improve efficiency and resilience of regional drinking water
impacts of climate change
delivery.
 Ensure that water and water rights are protected for
agriculture, and ecosystems and their wildlife have sufficient
water supply to thrive.
3. Healthy aquifers in the region.
 Implement land restoration projects to restore and maintain
historic levels of rainwater infiltration to the aquifer.
 Manage forests to decrease the risk of wildfires that cause
erosion and run-off.
 Design stormwater infrastructure for capture and infiltration,
such as permeable paving and smart arroyo restoration.
4. Water supply protected from
 Ensure that LANL legacy nuclear and toxic waste no longer
contamination from LANL radioactive and
poses a danger to seepage into the Rio Grande, potentially
toxic waste
contaminating water supplies.
Environment
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7. Education
Outdoor, hands-on learning experiences are critical for better understanding and appreciating our natural
environment. We have an opportunity to collaborate across organizations and schools to develop more cohesive
sustainability programs that support experiential learning in, and outside of, the classroom. This includes adult
and community education opportunities that help adults get outdoors, learn more about their natural
environment, and contribute to its management, study, and preservation.
Environment
Equity
Economy
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Triple Bottom Line Issues
13,000 youth are in Santa Fe Public Schools, grades K-12.
Exposing children to nature plants seeds for future environmental leaders.
Santa Fe currently doesn’t have free schooling available for Pre-K.
24% of students in our public schools are English language learners (2014).
64% graduation rate from Santa Fe public schools(2014).
Public schools have limited budgets for fields trips and extra-curricular programs.
State and federal government agencies involved with land management, water engineering,
forestry and wildlife management provide many employment opportunities in Santa Fe.
73% of SFCC students graduating with a degree or certificate acquire jobs within 6 months
of graduation.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. Sustainability programming
and curriculum development at
the level of SFPS administration
and Board of Education
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2. Active public education in
areas of sustainability
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3. Access to quality Pre-K
education for all children.
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ACTIONS
Identify ways to increase sustainability programs in schools, emphasizing
fieldtrips and hands-on learning.
Identify ways to develop a plan for ECO and SFCC to become “living
laboratories” or “hubs” of sustainability education by meeting with city,
SFPS, ECO, SFCC and relevant community stakeholders.
Expand experiential field trips and projects at City facilities and natural
environments, coordinating between City and SFPS.
Support experiential-based internship/mentorship programs in areas of
sustainability (e.g., Americorps/Earthcare).
Create integrated public education campaign about sustainability and
the environment with City, SF County and other community
entities/organizations.
Implement public, hands-on activities that actively engage adults and
families, including citizen science projects.
Support sugar sweetened beverages tax ordinance to pay for pre-K
education.
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8. Food Security
Diets and methods for producing food have large impacts on our wellbeing and the health of the environment.
We can eat healthier, support local economies, and restore the health of our environment simply by changing the
way we eat.
Triple Bottom Line Issues
 Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the agriculture, forestry, and land use make up
24% of total global emissions.
 Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and shipping of imported food consumed in
Environment
Santa Fe are almost as large as the emissions from electricity use.
 Industrial livestock facilities often raise animals under inhumane conditions.
 Large-scale agriculture often uses large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers that can
contaminate water systems, poison laborers, and degrade soils.
 In 2014, 73% of students in Santa Fe Public Schools were eligible for free and reduced
Equity
lunches at school cafeterias, and 6% of students were homeless.
 32% of the population in Santa Fe County have low access to grocery stores.
 In 2012 there were 715 farms in Santa Fe County, covering 60% of the total land area, but
Economy
92% of these farms were pasture land.
 97% of NM’s agriculture leaves the state.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. Local production and
distribution of food
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2. Access to healthy food for all
residents of Santa Fe
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3. Public education about
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ACTIONS
Develop agricultural incentives and innovative programs to support small
farmers and maximize local food production and distribution.
Provide education and resources on urban agriculture and county ranch
and agriculture programs, including practices that store carbon in the soil.
Expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by
working with the City, County, and key stakeholders who serve low income
populations.
Increase access to nutritious foods in schools by strengthening
relationships at the local level with schools, organizations and agencies.
Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables from gardens and farmers in
senior programs by developing City, County, and Tribal Pilot Program with
Senior Centers.
Provide healthier foods in the county detention centers by partnering
with corrections director to update policies and meal program contracts.
Educate and inform public about food related programs, resources, and
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emergency/private food
assistance programs and
wellness programs that include
healthy nutrition and lifestyles.
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information through the SF Food Policy Council and its members.
Establish “health food zones” near schools and public institutions to
promote the availability of nutritious food.
Advocate for public transportation routes to food outlets that offer full
range of whole and fresh food options.
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9. Social Equity
Sustainable development requires making political and economic choices that create greater equity in our
communities. Santa Fe is a mix of people from different races, cultural traditions, economic backgrounds, social
preferences, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and genders. Ensuring opportunities for all people requires
protecting the rights of minority and disadvantaged groups and acknowledging and addressing the historical
injustices and embedded prejudices that are present in our community and economy.
The Sustainable Santa Fe Commission demands that any program or policy must:
1. Ensure accessibility for low income people and disadvantaged groups.
2. Include the leadership of low-income people and disadvantaged groups.
3. Ensure that recommendations do not pose an adverse impact or risk to low-income people and
disadvantaged groups.
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Environment
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Equity
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Economy
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Triple Bottom Line Issues
Neighborhoods on Santa Fe’s southwest quadrant tend to have younger, less wealthy
families and have less access to hiking trails, mountains, and green space.
Pollution from PNM’s coal power plant contribute to haze, acid rain, and respiratory
illnesses that impact the Navajo communities where coal plants are located.
Approximately 2,600 youth, ages 16-24, in Santa Fe are estimated to be "disconnected"
from school and work.
Many of the high school graduating youth are still either unemployed (11.1%) or out of the
labor force (39%).
31% of children under 18 in Santa Fe live below poverty (2013).
6% of the population in Santa Fe is unemployed (2014).
In Santa Fe County, a woman with similar post-graduate credentials will earn 65% less than
a man.
Let’s Make Change!
GOALS
1. All programs and projects are
equitable, supporting vulnerable
populations
2. Proactive leadership in taking
care of our people & the planet
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ACTIONS
Adopt Triple Bottom Line practices City and Community-wide so that
our actions are equitable, environmentally responsible and
economically empowering.
Enact a creative carbon tax or sliding scale environmental impact fee
to self finance green pathways out of poverty, like affordable solar,
energy efficiency and healthy food.
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3. Full employment for a vibrant
economy
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4. Active community engagement
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Support quality education and workforce development opportunities
for unemployed, underemployed and disconnected workforce,
especially youth, emphasizing green industries.
Develop and implement a successful community engagement
program that evolves over time.
Spawn community led endeavors to reduce residential, commercial
and institutional carbon footprint of Santa Fe.
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10. Triple Bottom Line
In order to develop communities that prosper and thrive in the long term, many governments and organizations
now talk about a triple bottom line, which involves understanding how policies and projects impact not only the
financial bottom line, but also the well being of society and the environment.
We can prioritize recommendations and understand potential impacts by asking the following questions about a
proposed policy or project:
Environment
 Will it reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
 Will it improve air quality?
 Will it decrease water use and increase water quality?
 Will it preserve green spaces and wildlife habitat?
Society
 Will it ensure that there is accessibility for disadvantaged groups?
 Will it include the leadership of disadvantaged groups?
 Will it harm disadvantaged groups?
 Will exclude some groups from the potential benefits?
 Will it promote financial security for low-income households?
 Will it strengthen human capacities?
Economy
 Will it create jobs that people can carry out with dignity?
 Will it increase wealth for all households?
 Will it create a more diverse economy?
 What percent of profits will stay within the community?
 Will it create opportunities for future jobs or businesses?
 Will it create short term or long term economic benefits?
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11. Economic Development
A sustainable economy produces goods and services while contributing to the overall wellbeing of the community.
This means that people are able to access quality education and healthcare, meaningful work opportunities, enjoy
recreation, and raise families in ways that also improve the well being of their neighbors and contribute to a
society and environment that will support greater opportunities for future generations.
Triple Bottom Line Issues
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Environment
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Equity
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Economy
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Santa Fe has limited water resources, requiring that business meet their water needs with
high efficiency and re-use.
Business development must be encouraged to preserve Santa Fe’s clean air and maintain
green spaces.
Approximately 2,600 youth, ages 16-24, in Santa Fe are estimated to be "disconnected"
from school and work.
Many of the high school graduating youth are still either unemployed (11.1%) or out of the
labor force (39%).
31% of children under 18 in Santa Fe live below poverty (2013).
In Santa Fe County, a woman with similar post-graduate credentials will earn 65% less than
a man.
6% of the population in Santa Fe is unemployed (2014).
Housing costs in Santa Fe are 18% above the national average.
The following are some general principles that sustainable economies recognize and address:
GOALS
Develop a thriving, just, equitable,
and sustainable economy
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PRINCIPLES
Unlocking the potential for an economy and community to thrive
requires a deep understanding of the history, geography, and culture of
place.
Our local economy is a system of interconnected, complex social,
natural, and economic relationships. We must understand that
changing individual relationships/parts may have unforeseen impacts
for the economy as a whole.
Localization of the economy is healthy when it leads to reduced
environmental impacts, costs to consumers, and job creation.
Business activity should maintain or improves human, natural, and built
resources. This means that businesses do not exploit human labor or
overuse or damage natural resources, while functioning to remedy
social inequities and environmental damage.
We should think about sustainable economic development, which
means things are improving, though not necessarily growing. To
address the inequities that exist in our communities, reallocation of
resources is necessary.
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Plans and strategies cannot be rigid or static, but must have
mechanisms for feedback and revision.
Diverse economies are more stable and resilient. A diverse local
economy is one that is composed of different types of business
activities, as opposed to a small number of industries or a few large
businesses.
People and businesses must have free and accurate information about
the social and environmental impacts of their economic choices.
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12. Implementation: Taking Action
Development and implementation of the Sustainability Plan will necessitate an iterative process of plan
development, implementation, and re-adjustment as the community, economy, and environment change.
Many of the recommendations within the plan require that the City expands its capabilities to design and
implement projects, and strengthen its ability to act regionally.
GOALS
Implement current and
evolving recommended
actions.
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Let’s Make Change!
ACTIONS
Create a City of Santa Fe Energy Efficiency Utility that will function
to:
o Increase renewable energy generating capacity in city
facilities and throughout the community;
o Reduce the growth of peak electricity demand in the city
through rebates and education in collaboration with PNM
and other organizations;
o Improve the energy efficiency of low-income and other
housing in the city through the development and
administration of programs to the community.
Explore the costs and benefits of expanding the Energy Efficiency
Utility into a broader Sustainability Office and/or creating a joint
City/County/State Sustainability Authority, in order to:
o Develop, administer and manage projects that will lead to
meeting sustainability goals and targets
o Raise funds for development/implementation of projects
o Provide education/outreach to government and community
o Ensure that community engagement informs policies,
programs, and actions.
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