Energy
Seizing New Mexico’s Green Economy
Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish believes that New Mexico’s natural resources, world class research institutions and innovative workforce have positioned us to be a national leader in alternative energy solutions, which will continue to create the green jobs of the future and help our nation become energy independent. But at the same time, she believes we must protect the traditional energy industries that have been so critical to our state’s economy. That’s why Diane supports a comprehensive approach to energy production to seize the green economy and encourage energy efficiency.
Investing in New Energy Technologies: From wind to solar, bio-mass to bio-fuels, New Mexico’s open land and desirable climate make our state an ideal place for investment in new energy technologies. New Mexico has already made great strides in its investment in the energy solutions of tomorrow. For example, the New Mexico Wind Energy Center opened for business in 2003 and now stands seventh-largest wind generation project in the U.S., with 136 turbines producing up to 200 megawatts of power, or enough electricity to power 94,000 New Mexico homes. Large scale solar and bio-mass projects are also in development. The state can streamline the regulatory process to ensure these projects can be up and operational quickly. In addition, Diane believes we must support and build an environment which encourages the development of new businesses which seek to commercialize the technologies developed at our world renowned research and development institutions.
Creating the Green Jobs of Tomorrow: The American Solar Energy Society estimates that the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could create 37 million new jobs in the US by 2030. Diane believes that New Mexico’s abundant natural resources, combined with its innovative workforce, have positioned the state nicely to attract these green jobs of tomorrow. But in order to attract those new energy jobs to our state, we must show employers that our workforce is trained to compete for those jobs. New Mexico’s Green Cabinet is an example of how state agencies must work together with the private sector to identify the green jobs of tomorrow. Diane believes we must make people aware of the job opportunities on the horizon and make training available to anyone ages 15 to 85 who wants a new career in the green jobs of the future.
Making New Mexico Homes and Businesses More Energy Efficient: Diane has been a strong supporter of initiatives to make New Mexico more energy efficient. As the Chair of the Mortgage Finance Authority, she has seen the dollars available to weatherize homes in the state increase almost ten-fold, and she successfully fought for $2.5 million in funding for the Energy Savers program, which provides low-interest loans to builders who install energy-efficient systems in new or existing homes. Diane also supported tax credits for New Mexicans who buy energy-efficient appliances for their homes, and additional incentives for companies that voluntarily change their ways in order to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. As Lieutenant Governor, Diane challenged New Mexico’s schools to cut their energy costs by 10 percent, and provided them with technical assistance to help them reach that goal. Diane believes the state must lead by example when it comes to energy efficiency construction, building rehabilitation and transportation.
The Importance of Oil and Natural Gas to New Mexico’s Economy: Growing up in rural Hobbs, New Mexico, Diane appreciates the importance of the oil and natural gas industry to our state’s economy. The industry provides $2.5 billion in economic activity each year and employs 23,000 workers, and Diane will support its efforts to meet the needs of the 21st Century.
