Environment New Mexico joined other environmentalists,
advocates, department staff, utility representatives and others in the Cabinet
Room at the New Mexico State Capitol as Governor Bill Richardson signed
important energy efficiency and water legislation
into law today.
“We’re pleased to see such broad-based support for energy
efficiency,” said Environment New Mexico Advocate Lauren
Ketcham. “Our homes and offices use energy that contributes
to global warming. An energy efficiency standard will help to reduce this
sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, while creating new jobs and saving consumers
money on their utility bills.”
The Governor-backed House Bill 305, sponsored by Speaker of
the House Ben Lujan, will require utilities to develop programs to save
energy—equal to 10% of the utility’s sales by 2020.
The bill will also allow the Public Regulations Commission
(PRC) to provide incentives to utilities who can demonstrate significant energy
savings, allowing energy efficiency to become profitable for utilities like
building new coal-fired power plants currently is.
The bill is supported by the Coalition for Clean Affordable
Energy (CCAE), including member groups like Community Action New Mexico,
Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Environment New Mexico. Gail
Ryba, CCAE’s Executive Director, and an energy efficiency expert, spoke at
today’s press conference on behalf of the coalition.
“Energy efficiency is a win-win. Energy efficiency is the
cheapest form of new energy, costing at least half of what new generation
costs. It also offsets the need to build new power plants, creates new jobs and
reduces our reliance on foreign sources of energy. We’re pleased to see this
legislation signed into law today,” said Ketcham.
The Governor also signed Senate Bill 227, sponsored by
Senator Phil Griego, which allows the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) the
authority to acquire water rights without
purchasing land to meet Pecos River Compact obligations.
“This bill will help to save the state money, allow the ISC
to focus on protecting and administering New Mexico’s
water and will help New
Mexico ensure that it meets its delivery obligations,”
concluded Ketcham.
