Governor: New Mexico is 'epicenter' for clean energy opportunities

Apr. 5—New Mexico has a ton of renewable energy opportunities, and even more are coming.

That's what Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said at Electrify New Mexico, an inaugural electrification conference held in Albuquerque on Thursday. She touted how the state can grow its economy by producing clean energy.

A packed room of solar contractors, educators and students, and utility and state regulation staff filled the Sid Cutter Pilot's Pavilion to hear and talk about electrification, and what's needed to make that happen.

Lujan Grisham told the crowd New Mexico is in a great place with its solar, wind and geothermal resources for renewable energy.

"We need you at the table telling us how to get it done faster, how to go further, and how to be more effective at the same time while harnessing every single federal dollar and private sector dollar that's making its way to this great state," Lujan Grisham said.

She said New Mexico is getting huge investments from the private sector and the federal government. She also praised recent state legislative moves, such as a clean fuels bill and refundable tax credits for renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Industries Association of New Mexico Executive Director Jim DesJardins told the Journal he hopes people left the event understanding how to access incentives from the state and federal governments as well as utilities.

He said at the event that the federal Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, is in the process of sending $369 billion into the United States' renewable energy economy.

By 2030, solar installations will triple, customer-owned storage will increase tenfold, and electric vehicles on the road will increase from 3 million to 27 million, he said.

"And, by the way, to make all this happen, all we have to do is to upgrade the largest and most complex machine on demand, which is the United States electrical grid," he added.

That's one of the major problems in the nation's electric transition. Panelists discussed other barriers, too, including the need for more renewable energy workers.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said in video remarks that to meet growing demands for electrification, thousands of jobs like electricians, plumber and pipefitters need to be filled.

"I want New Mexico small businesses and our workforce to be ready for all of the opportunities that will come with this major shift," he said.

State Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, also noted at the event that the energy transition needs to be equitable, and most state legislation now tries to address that.

She said her office is doing a climate study and looking at what need to happen next. Stewart said there will be bills ready in January.

"I believe that we are a leader, and we are going to be even better in the future," she said.

DesJardins said the conference was inspired by an electric expo in Las Cruces. He told the Journal he's been in the solar industry for 14 years and hasn't seen an event quite like this before in New Mexico. He said he'd like it to be a yearly conference.

"The importance of the event is to bring together electric vehicles, building electrification and solar plus storage into one form and get people together, sharing ideas on how to make that happen," he said.