Richardson Files PRC Brief In Support of Solar Co's

Just one day before the Alliance for Climate Protection will officially open its Repower New Mexico state-wide office in Albuquerque, Governor Bill Richardson has directed the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to file a legal brief in support of small New Mexico solar energy developers.

The brief, filed with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, provides a detailed analysis that concludes that small New Mexico solar energy developers should not be regulated in the same manner as large-scale investor owned utilities like Public Service Company of New Mexico.

EMNR Brief 30Jul09

Cabinet Secretary Joanna Prukop filed the brief on July 30, 2009. The brief also concludes that it would be an incredible barrier to the growth of distributed solar and other renewable energy resources in New Mexico if third party developers are subject to the complexity and cost of Public Regulation Commission regulation.

Governor Richardson said third party energy developers can serve an important role in the development of renewable energy generation in New Mexico:

Supporting small New Mexico solar energy developers in their quest of distributed generation of renewable energy will advance New Mexico as a national leader in renewable energy technology, manufacturing, and generation.

Third party developers build and operate renewable energy generating equipment (typically solar photovoltaic, or “PV”) on premises belonging to a utility customer. The energy developer finances the cost of the generating equipment and is able to take advantage of financial incentives under federal and state laws. The energy developer then sells the electricity generated from the equipment to the customer who owns or occupies the premises.

This arrangement is beneficial for certain homeowners and small businesses who, even with net metering and state and federal incentives, cannot afford to install renewable energy generating equipment on their property. It is even more beneficial to organizations that do not qualify for state and federal incentives, such as governmental entities, schools, churches and other non-profit organizations.

Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department said the state strongly believes that the law as written does not burden third party energy developers with the regulatory framework necessary to oversee large utilities that are granted service monopolies and guaranteed rates of return on their investment:

Unlike the utilities, these New Mexico renewable energy developers work within the framework of market forces and competition, and could move this state toward the next level of energy self-sufficiency.

Barbara Wold, at Democracy for New Mexico writes:

Through its Repower New Mexico campaign, the Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, is educating New Mexicans about how shifting to a clean energy economy helps solve the climate crisis and address other pressing national problems facing our country today.

Udall Calls War In Iraq A Foreign Policy Blunder

On Saturday morning, Page One Bookstore hosted a Town Hall Meeting for Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Udall.

Listen to Udall's remarks delivered to about seventy people.


Udall says he entered public service to "stand up and do the right thing."

During the meeting, Udall told voters about his record in state government and in Congress.

He reminded them he voted against the war in Iraq from the beginning. He says historians will write that it was the country's worst foreign policy blunder ever.

Udall also spoke to the group about his record as NM State Attorney General. He told the group he's proud of his record fighting DWI, domestic violence and corruption in government despite it "not being very popular."

The candidate says his staffers are running a positive campaign.

"We have tried to keep it positive. Our objective is to introduce people to what we've been working on in congress."

Udall also analyzed several outside groups, who support his opponent, Republican Steve Pearce. He says they've come out with attack after attack. He believe that's one contrast voters have noticed between Pearce and himself.

Udall says he's campaigning and working to appeal to "the better interests" of voters by telling them what kind of U.S. Senator he'll be if elected in November.

"Sunshine is free, unless Exxon buys the sun"

Today the focus on energy centers around the price of oil, but the price for electricity is also increasing as worldwide demand surges. Since 1978 the Federal Government has been trying to increase the use of renewable energy sources, but has been slow to act. Only 3% comes from non-hydropower renewables.

Presently wind power is the fastest growing renewable source. Other technologies have lagged behind. But, researchers expect Solar Power will quickly become the largest renewable source within 5 to 10 years. The price for solar power per kilowatt hour is expected to be 8 to 9 cents (about the same prices as natural gas.)

Scientists often tout the advantages of solar compared to wind including:

· Power is less intermittent that wind and more predictable.

· Excess power is easier to store and does not require battery development.

Correspondent Mark Bralley attended a United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources field hearing on July 2, 2008 at the International Programs Building, Sandia Science & Technology Park, in Albuquerque.

New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman, chaired the hearing and was joined by ranking member Pete Domenici and Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders.

Sen. Bingaman told Bralley, in this AUDIO INTERVIEW, that he believes there is a great future for solar power in the Southwest, and agrees with WIPP Scientist James Conca that resistance to nuclear power is lower than it has been, but Bingaman says building a nuclear plant is an expensive proposition.

Bingaman also told Bralley we have to determine how to contain green house gases emitted from coal-fired plants. Bingaman says researchers are trying to separate Carbon Dioxide before it is emitted into the atmosphere, but the carbon capture and storage technologies are unproven.

Responding to increasing gas prices the Energy Chairman tells Bralley the country must figure out a way to increase gas production and decrease market demands.

Bralley also spoke briefly with Senator Bernard Sanders after the hearing. In this AUDIO INTERVIEW the independent politician says he’s learned from leading experts that, “there is enormous potential for solar energy in general and concentrated solar in particular.”

Sanders say’s solar power is a big deal, “I think we’re just at the cusp of exploding a technology which can help us reverse global warming, create millions of good paying jobs with other sustainable energies, and also break our dependence on fossil fuel and foreign oil.”

Earlier Sanders told the audience, of about 150 people, that “sunshine is free, unless Exxon buys the sun.”

Senator Jeff Bingaman believes government should require utility companies to provide a measureable percentage of their power from renewables.

Sen. Pete Domenici says republicans want to work with democrats and develop a bi-partisan solutions to America’s increasing electrical needs.

Complete AUDIO from the hearing is available. here. Note: The audio is intermittent until the hearing starts, about two minutes into the feed.

For more information on The NM Independent published two reports on the hearings here and here.

Audio and Photo Credit: MG Bralley