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.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and his cousin Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., announced today the introduction of legislation that would require utilities to use renewable sources to generate 25 percent of their energy by 2025.
The bill would set the national renewable energy requirement at 6 percent in 2013 and increase the requirement until it reaches 25 percent in 2025.
“Americans want to put our nation on a path towards energy independence, and this bill is our best chance to get America running on homegrown energy while creating good jobs for hardworking Americans,” said Tom Udall. “Studies show that a federal RES would reduce energy bills, revitalize rural America, slow global warming and strengthen our energy security.”
The two senators introduced similar legislation in 2002 while both were in the House.
The plan would allow energy suppliers to buy credits from other producers who produce renewable energy and allow producers to “bank” the credits for up to four years and borrow credits for up to three years into the future.
The Renewable Energy Standard (RES) would not include publicly-owned power plants or rural co-ops.
The two senators cite studies which say the plan would create manufacturing jobs, reduce energy bills for consumers, financially benefit those in rural areas and slow global warming.
Tom Udall said he expects at least eight co-sponsors on the legislation, though the bill would almost certainly need 60 votes in the Senate to end a Republican filibuster of the legislation.
President Barack Obama mentioned an 80 percent clean energy standard by 2035 as one of his goals in the State of the Union address. This would include renewable energy sources, nuclear and natural gas.
A statement by Udall’s offices says the legislation would not preempt stronger Renewable Energy Standards put in place by states. In total, 29 states and the District of Columbia have some sort of renewable generation standards, including New Mexico.
