After a long pause, New Mexico’s program to distribute grants under a landmark energy transition law is back on track, according to its lead convener. And an updated proposal from a New Mexico community college still seeks money for projects devoted to natural gas production, which run against the overarching goal of the law. One set of proposals clearly runs afoul of the guidelines for one of the three funds created by the law.
New Mexico passed the Energy Transition Act (ETA) in 2019 to support two transitions: those of workers needing new jobs following the closure of two coal-fired power plants and coal mines near Farmington, New Mexico; and that of the state as it moves away from fossil fuel energy production. The COVID-19 pandemic and a lawsuit unrelated to the grants themselves put the brakes on the process until now. Jason Sandel, lead convener of the Energy Transition Act Committee set up to vet grant proposals, says he hopes to reconvene his group soon after July 4 and recommence the recommendation process.
