I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
If you don’t mind a company on the East Coast turning your air conditioner off and on from a remote controlled device whenever PNM gives the signal, you may want to participate in the energy company’s power saver program this summer.
In light of the rocketing cost of fuel, which many experts say can only be reduced by bringing down demand, the program offers a way to reduce your energy consumption without having to think about it. PNM will shut off the air-conditioning units of participants (and for larger companies other fixtures as well) for short spurts during the summer’s peak energy “spikes,” through the use of remote-controlled devices operated by two out-of-state companies.
PNM spokeswoman Susan Sponar told the New Mexico Business Weekly that the “load management” program will provide the company with an alternative to purchasing “expensive power on the wholesale market or using costly natural gas” during peak demand periods in the upcoming hot summer months.
According to the Business Weekly:
The utility hopes to sign up enough customers to offset 30 megawatts of power this year, said Steve Bean, manager of PNM’s energy efficiency program. If achieved, that would represent about 57 percent of PNM’s projected load growth this year, which is expected to increase by 53 megawatts.
The residential portion of the program will focus on central air-conditioning units, meaning of course that those without central air in their homes are unable to participate. But the company says it may expand the residential program to other fixtures at a later date. A call to PNM this morning clarified that although the company couldn’t guarantee that consumers would see a cost savings on their energy bills, this would most likely be the case as the meter would reflect less power usage. But just in case, they’re also offering small financial incentives to residential and small business participants, whereas medium sized business can earn $9 per ton of refrigerated air saved. Enrollment in the program is ongoing and runs from June to September.
On the other hand, if you don’t like the idea of having a company remotely control your home cooling system but want to be more energy efficient, the Natural Resources Defense Council gives tips on a variety of measures you can take yourself.
