New Mexico Sets Ambitious Climate Protection Goal

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law The Energy Transition Act, advancing the state’s national leadership in renewable energy with a goal to source 50 percent of New Mexico’s energy from renewable sources by 2030. The law sets even higher goals for the future, targeting 80 percent renewable energy by 2040 and 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2045. The law also promotes investments in New Mexico’s workforce to ensure residents benefit from new economic opportunities that come with tapping into renewable resources in their state.

“We applaud the leadership of the New Mexico legislature and Governor Lujan Grisham for setting New Mexico on a path to a cleaner and stronger economy just months into her new administration,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “Ambitious renewable energy policies turn heads in the business community, drawing nationally-recognized corporate brands into the state and encouraging developers to invest billions of dollars into wind farms that create jobs and revenues for rural communities.”

New Mexico’s wind industry has already drawn $3 billion in private investment and supports over 3,000 well-paying jobs in the state.

“Upgraded and expanded transmission line infrastructure will help ensure that New Mexico can implement the new policy while keeping costs low for consumers,” said Lisa Tormoen Hickey, Senior Regulatory Attorney for Interwest Energy Alliance. “Well-planned transmission investments typically pay for themselves within a few years, and then continue saving consumers money for decades to come through fuel cost savings and efficient use of the grid.”