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New Mexico Advanced Energy Roadmap Will
Grow the Economy, Create Jobs
Santa Fe, June 19, 2018 — Today, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and Interwest Energy Alliance (Interwest) released a policy roadmap for the New Mexico gubernatorial campaigns of Republican nominee Rep. Steve Pearce and Democratic nominee Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham outlining how advanced energy can create jobs and drive economic growth in the state. The policy roadmap, “New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Roadmap: How the Next Governor Can Make New Mexico’s Energy System more Secure, Clean, and Affordable While Driving Job Creation and Economic Growth,” outlines multiple policy priorities the next governor of New Mexico can pursue to take full advantage of the economic development potential provided by advanced energy technologies and services.
“Policies that grow New Mexico’s advanced energy economy will bring much-needed jobs and economic investment to our state, especially to rural areas,” said Sarah Cottrell Propst, Executive Director for Interwest. “New Mexico is poised to be the clean energy engine of the West,”
“New Mexico’s advanced energy resources provide the state with a significant advantage in creating a secure, clean, and affordable economy of the future,” said Craig Gordon, Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs, at Invenergy. “As developer of the largest wind farm in New Mexico, we would love to bring more jobs and economic development to all parts of the state. Adoption of the policy roadmap would allow developers like us to bring low-cost and clean energy to New Mexico, and to export those resources elsewhere when it makes economic sense for New Mexicans.”
“Advanced energy currently supports more than 11,000 jobs in New Mexico,” said JR Tolbert, Vice President of State Policy for AEE. “By pursuing the priorities outlined in the policy roadmap, the next governor can leverage the state’s abundant advanced energy resources to drive economic growth, create additional jobs throughout the state, and positively impact customers.”
In their policy platform, AEE and Interwest present six keys themes for the campaigns to consider:
- Increase the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS). These policy mechanisms provide market certainty for utilities and investors looking to build an energy economy that emphasizes low-cost, advanced technologies and services in New Mexico.
- Expand transmission capacity to capitalize on advanced energy and boost New Mexico’s potential as an advanced energy exporter. The next governor should fully utilize the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) and support transmission projects and upgrades that benefit New Mexico’s economy and citizens by developing renewable energy, enhancing reliability and energy security, and providing access to additional economic opportunities.
- Adopt a community solar program. The addition of a community solar program would better align the interests of utilities and customers, spur additional investments in New Mexico’s advanced energy economy, give every citizen access to renewable energy, and potentially create thousands of additional solar jobs.
- Ensure utilities evaluate the full potential of energy storage technologies. In 2017, New Mexico amended its utility planning process to create a distinct listing for energy storage. To provide the most value to consumers and the grid, up-to-date methodologies and data need to be utilized to accurately assess the costs and capabilities of this technology in a future with more variable generation.
- Electrify the transportation sector. Our transportation system is undergoing a seismic evolution. New Mexico can lead in transportation electrification. By positioning New Mexico to lead in transportation electrification, the next governor can create substantial benefits for citizens and businesses.
- Modernize the electricity system to focus on consumer needs. Evolving consumer preferences, dynamic new technologies, and the need to replace aging infrastructure are all driving grid modernization. The next governor should guide regulatory system reforms to meet the needs of residents and businesses and modernize our electric power system.
In the coming months, AEE and Interwest will host roundtables with the candidates to discuss New Mexico’s energy policy landscape and how advanced energy can help grow the economy.
About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its state and regional partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Learn more at www.aee.net and track our latest news @AEEnet.
About Interwest Energy Alliance
The Interwest Energy Alliance is a non-profit trade association that represents the nation’s leading companies in the renewable energy industry, bringing them together with the West’s energy and conservation advocacy community to expand deployment of a reliable, cost-effective, and diverse portfolio of renewable energy resources. Interwest leads legislative, regulatory, and policy efforts to expand markets for renewable energy in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Interwest is a regional partner of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE).
Media Contacts
Interwest: Sarah Cottrell Propst, propst@interwest.org, 505-660-4229
AEE: Monique Hanis, mhanis@aee.net, 202-391-0884