The New Mexico House of Representatives passed the Energy Transition Act on March 12, which seeks to make New Mexico's electricity generation 100% carbon-free by 2045.
The bill passed the Democratic-controlled state legislature with 32-9 votes in the Senate and 43-22 in the House. Democratic governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham is expected to sign it into law soon.
Introduced in early February by several Democratic representatives, the Energy Transition Act requires the state's utilities to derive at least 50% of their electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030 and 80% by 2040 while the remaining share would come from zero-carbon sources by 2045.
Since the Midterm elections last year, New Mexico was on the shortlist of states primed for an upward revision to its renewable portfolio standard target with the election of Michelle Lujan-Grisham as governor. Lujan-Grisham won on a platform that includes support for an ambitious goal like the one she's about to sign into law. In addition, the governor joined a Democratic legislature that attempted to pass similar bills that sought to boost renewable energy in the state, particularly solar, but these measures were ultimately vetoed by then-Governor Susana Martinez, Republican.
The current target for major utilities is to source 20% of electricity supplies from renewable sources by 2020.
According to the New Mexico Commission of Public Lands, the state has great untapped potential for both wind and solar as well as geothermal and has about nine million acres of land available for lease to renewable energy companies.
New Mexico joins the growing number of states committing to making their electricity generation carbon-free by mid-century. Currently, California Hawaii and Washington, D.C have similar goals, while dozens of other states have ambitious renewable energy commitments that are likely to be boosted in coming years.
Recommended Reading
MethaneSAT: EDF’s Eye in the Sky Targets E&P Emissions
2024-03-07 - The Environmental Defense Fund and Harvard University recently launched MethaneSAT, a satellite tracking methane emissions. The project’s primary target: oil and gas operators.
Exclusive: Scepter CEO: Methane Emissions Detection Saves on Cost
2024-04-08 - Methane emissions detection saves on cost and "can pay for itself," Scepter CEO Phillip Father says in this Hart Energy exclusive interview.
Qnergy Tackles Methane Venting Emissions
2024-03-13 - Pneumatic controllers, powered by natural gas, account for a large part of the oil and gas industry’s methane emissions. Compressed air can change that, experts say.
SEC Adopts Climate Disclosure Rules in 3-2 Vote
2024-03-06 - The regulation requires companies to disclose Scope 1 and 2 emissions, weather-related risks and other climate-related data that could have a material business impact.
Keeping it Tight: Diversified Energy Clamps Down on Methane Emissions
2024-04-24 - Diversified Energy wants to educate on emission reduction successes while debunking junk science.