Gov. Richardson Signs Renewable Energy Bills

Audio: Listen to Albuquerque public radio KUNM's Jim Williams reporting on some of the many environmental and greenhouse gas reduction bills being considered at this year's legislature, as well as on Gov. Bill Richardson's signing of two innovative renewable energy bills this past Monday. And here's how a press release for the Governor's office describes the clean energy legislation:

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today signed two major cornerstones of his clean energy agenda. Senate Bill 418 will dramatically increase New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and our use of clean electricity. House Bill 188 creates a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to promote clean energy jobs and help New Mexico both develop our clean energy resources and market them to other states.

“I am proud today to sign a bill that will quadruple New Mexico’s use of clean electricity by 2020,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “Promoting renewable electricity keeps our air clean and it will help New Mexico meet my aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. It will also help continue to create new jobs, like those at Advent Solar in Albuquerque, and aid ranchers who want to diversify into the lucrative wind energy market.”

In 2004 Governor Richardson signed New Mexico’s first Renewable Portfolio Standard into law. This mandated that 5% of New Mexico’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2006, increasing to 10% by 2011. Senator Michael Sanchez’s Senate Bill 418 requires that at least 15 percent of an electric utility's power supply come from renewable sources by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.

House Bill 188 – sponsored by Representative Jose Campos -- establishes a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority that will help New Mexico export solar, wind and other renewable energy and further build our high-wage, and high-tech economy.

“The Transmission Authority and the Renewable Portfolio Standard work in combination to dramatically position New Mexico to develop our vast renewable energy resources,” said Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources. “We've just positioned our state to become extremely competitive in all aspects of clean energy development and the benefits that come with it.”

Under Governor Richardson’s leadership, New Mexico has become the nation’s Clean Energy State. In the past few weeks alone Governor Richardson has signed a major, five state climate change agreement, announced a new Tesla electric car plant for Albuquerque and a biodiesel plant in Clovis, NM.

“I am proud that both these bills passed with bipartisan support,” said Governor Richardson. “That is because New Mexico is hungry for clean energy and the good jobs that come with this new industry.”

Editor's Note: Desert Rock Power Plant
Now what we need is for the Governor to speak out strongly against the construction of the massive new coal-fired Desert Rock Power Plant by Sithe Global near Farmington, on Navajo Nation land. If allowed, the plant will pump out 10.5 million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide each year, effectively wiping out most of the gains to be made by other anti-greenhouse gas efforts in New Mexico, as well as contribute to an existing mercury hotspot.

I know the Navajo Nation has significant sovereign power over the use of their land, but it might help if the Governor made an issue out of the damaging effects the pollution from the plant would have not only on New Mexico, but on communities all across the nation. With a required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) still pending on the plant, there's a chance the plant can still be stopped or at least required to significantly upgrade its pollution technologies. Public hearings on the plant's draft EIS will be held this Spring.

For more information, visit the website of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, the desert-rock-blog, the New Mexico Coaltion for Clean Affordable Energy and the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.