The Problem
Energy production in the state of New Mexico is overwhelmingly from traditional energy sources such as coal and natural gas. 85% of the state's energy is produced from coal, and 13% is from natural gas. The remaining mix comes from a combination of Hydro and renewables, with the latter comprising between 1-2% of total overall energy production. This energy portfolio has tremendous economic, health and environmental implications for New Mexico. The price of natural gas has tripled in the last few years, greatly impacting the average New Mexican's bottom line in the wintertime. Traditional carbon-based fuels, when burned, emit dangerous toxins into the air and water such as Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur, Carbon Dioxide, and Mercury. These toxins, particularly Carbon Dioxide, amass in the atmosphere and form a blanket that traps the heat on the earth's surface, creating a dangerous warming of the earth's ambient temperatures and oceans. The effect of this is widespread climate change, with considerable environmental and economic impacts. These fuels are also finite in nature, with some scientists predicting that oil, gas, and coal reserves will be depleted by century's end.
From a socioeconomic standpoint, New Mexico has the 5th highest unemployment rate in the country, with some counties suffering from unemployment rates as high as 25%. Rural communities in particular have been impacted by the lack of jobs, and many counties have experienced net decreases in population as a result of urban migration, leading to shrinking revenue bases.
The Need
| 85% of the state's energy is produced from coal, and 13% is from natural gas. This energy portfolio has tremendous economic, health and environmental implications for New Mexico. |
As a net energy exporter, New Mexico is not dependent on importing energy from outside the state, and thus is in a unique position of being able to control the energy production mix. New Mexico has a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources available in the form of sunshine, wind, steam, wood products and other biomass fuels. New Mexico is currently ranked 12th in the nation for wind energy potential, and in the top 3 for geothermal and solar energy potential. Gov. Richardson has declared NM the "Clean Energy" State, and has moved to convert 10% of New Mexico's Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) overall energy production into renewable production by the year 2011. By harvesting these resources, New Mexico will benefit economically, environmentally, and socially. New jobs will be created, leading to an overall increase in revenues into the communities; toxic emissions from coal and natural gas plants will be reduced, leading to cleaner air and water; and communities will be empowered through local energy production.
The Solution
Regional Development Corporation, in an effort to diversify Northern New Mexico's economy, form strategic economic partnerships, and create new sources of jobs, has created a new initiative in Clean Energy to address both environmental and economic concerns in Northern New Mexico. Serving as a clearinghouse for clean energy projects, RDC will create strategic partnerships between the private and public sectors to enable more clean energy projects. RDC will identify new or existing wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and other clean energy projects throughout New Mexico and work with the local communities to implement their clean energy projects. RDC will also work with private sector oil and gas well operators in New Mexico to diversify their energy production portfolios to include renewable sources. The economy in Northern New Mexico will benefit from increased clean energy projects through new jobs, added revenues into the local tax base, cleaner air and water, and community empowerment.
For More Information
Ed Burckle, Executive Director
David Griscom, Clean Energy Project Manager
(505) 820-1226 tel. / (505) 983-8654 fax
info@rdcnm.org
www.rdcnm.org