Posted on 09/20/2015 8:10:27 AM PDT by brownwill6767
New Mexico has a wealth of energy resources. And now it has a comprehensive plan to help guide development of those riches to grow the states economy.
Last week at the 2015 Southeastern New Mexico Mayors Energy Summit in Carlsbad, Gov. Susana Martinez laid out a broad all of the above energy policy. There is no reason we shouldnt be an energy leader, she later told attendees at the eighth annual Domenici Public Policy Conference in Las Cruces.
Her plan embraces a wide range of energy sources, ranging from oil and gas to solar, wind and up-and-coming technologies, such as small modular reactors, which must still be approved by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
One of the keys is development of more infrastructure electricity transmission lines to move power generated by wind and solar, and new refineries and improved roads, rail and pipelines to transport resources in and out of the energy-producing areas in the southeastern and northwestern parts of the state.
It also proposes deployment of new battery storage technologies and exporting coal as utilities start using less of that resource as a result of agreements with the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Producers should welcome a promised streamlining of the regulatory process and more emphasis on workforce training for energy-related jobs. Taxpayers, consumers and ratepayers should welcome a diversified energy portfolio. Most importantly, the governors broad and balanced plan realistically emphasizes low carbon sources while recognizing fossil fuels are still an important piece of the energy picture.
While there will certainly be questions, debate and pushback, the governor has done an important service by putting a comprehensive document out there as a starting point.
This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Last week at the 2015 Southeastern New Mexico Mayor's Energy Summit in Carlsbad, Gov. Susana Martinez laid out a broad "all of the above" energy policy.Thanks brownwill6767.
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