NMIPL IN THE NEWS

City of Albuquerque Releases Climate Survey, Task Force Application

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The City is updating the Albuquerque Climate Action Plan and seeking community members to share their voices and shape the next stage of Albuquerque’s climate change vision. Please take and share the climate survey and learn more about the Climate Action Planning process here.

By taking the Climate Survey, you are helping to prioritize and improve future green programs and projects, as well as setting the foundation for the next Climate Action Plan!

Public Regulatory Commission Approves 100% Clean Energy Replacement Plan for San Juan Generating Power Plant

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New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light is grateful for good news!  The Public Regulatory Commission approved a replacement plan for the San Juan generating power plant of 100% renewable energy with battery storage. This effort was possible through hard work of many including a large coalition of Four Corners community and tribal organizations, social justice groups, ordinary people and many faith leaders and faith communities.
This decision is an important ethical and moral choice to care for our communities and our sacred land, water, air and future generations. In these challenging times we celebrate this decision and the years of hard work, vision and efforts to cherish all that we are given.
Thank you to all who have written comments, testified at hearings, made phone calls, engaged in educating friends and neighbors and your faith communities over the years. Our work and ministry can only happen together and that is a joy as we pray, meditate, and work together for the Common Good.
 
Please thank your Public Regulatory Commissioners for their work and decision.
The plan approved by the PRC has Renewable energy investments includes: 300 megawatts of solar and 130 megawatts of battery storage in the Central Consolidated School District, 300 megawatts of battery storage in McKinley County, and 50 megawatts of solar and 20 megawatts of battery on Jicarilla Apache lands in Rio Arriba County.  All of the projects account for over $1 billion in the respective areas and will create about 1,200 multi-year construction jobs in these counties.
This plan helps the state meet the goals of the 2019 Energy Transition Act for state public utilities to reach the goal of 100% carbon-free sources by 2045 for utilities to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.
Back in April,  a large coalition of New Mexico community, faith, tribal, and environmental advocates on April 1 welcomed the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s (PRC) decision to approve Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) request to abandon or exit the San Juan Generating Station and use low-interest bonds through the Energy Transition Act (ETA) to finance its remaining investment in the plant. The Commission voted unanimously to approve both the abandonment and financing orders.   Read More

Opinion: Oil and gas throwing stones at glass houses

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Lucas Herndon, Deputy Director, Progress Now New Mexico

(Published in Carlsbad Current Argus, July 2, 2020)

It’s no surprise that Larry Behrens uses his tired talking points when talking about the recent Legislative special session, but in his June 29 op-ed, “Renewable agenda can’t deliver for New Mexico,” there are some hasty generalizations and strawman attacks needing to be addressed.

The state does rely heavily on oil and gas revenues. That part is true. But the aim of moving New Mexico into a renewable energy future sooner rather than later has just as much to do with moving away from the unreliable nature of those fossil fuel revenues as it does protecting our environment and offering cheaper energy to New Mexico residents.

The thing about long term, reliable energy sources like solar is that the price doesn’t fluctuate whenever foreign powers decide to play chicken with international oil prices. New Mexicans deserve a budget they can count on year in and year out without having to pit teachers against healthcare workers every few months because of outside influences on the market. Make no mistake, the problem with New Mexico’s budget is BECAUSE of the over-reliance on the oil and gas sector.   Read full piece in Carlsbad Current Argus

Carlsbad Current Argus. Sep. 3, 2020 New Mexico finalizes oil and gas wastewater regulations, lawmakers hear testimony (Rev. Nick King Quoted)

Las Cruces Sun-News,  Aug. 19, 2020, Report on solving climate crisis brings hope (Co-authored by Michael Sells, Clara Sims and Edith Yanez)

Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug. 15, 2020 Vote your values this November  (Commentary by Larry Rasmussen and Tabitha Arnold)