FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 12, 2019
Contact: Yvette Perez (505)986-4882
SENATE BILL 489, THE ENERGY TRANSITION ACT, PASSES HOUSE AND NOW HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK TO BECOME LAW
LANDMARK LEGISLATION WILL RESHAPE NEW MEXICO’S ENERGY LANDSCAPE
Santa Fe, NM–The Energy Transition Act has passed the House of Representatives by a decisive vote of 43-22. SB489 will move New Mexico away from coal and toward renewable energy sources. The bill will also provide critical economic and workforce support, including job training, for those impacted by coal plant and mine closures in San Juan County. This sweeping legislation is the result of a year-long collaboration between business leaders, community activists, lawmakers and other stakeholders and solidly positions New Mexico on the front lines of an environmentally responsible, clean energy future.
“With the passage of The Energy Transition Act, we are addressing climate change and reducing energy costs for consumers in our state,” said bill sponsor, Senator Jacob Candelaria (D-ABQ.) He added, “This legislation also recognizes that in building a green energy economy, there’s going to be some difficult transitions. That’s why securitization is a key component of this–to ensure that we have the resources available to aid communities through the transition to a green energy future and to ensure that our public utility partners are financially healthy enough to adopt and implement the aggressive and history-making renewable portfolio standards that the Governor is about to deliver on.”
Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart (D-ABQ), also a sponsor of SB489, stated, “With this bill, we look toward a new energy future while helping to secure the livelihoods of the people of San Juan as the transition to clean energy commences. I extend my thanks to Governor Lujan Grisham for her strong support of the new, bold Renewable Portfolio Standards, and I’m excited to see New Mexico become a national leader in fighting climate change.”
Senate Bill 489 passed the Senate on March 6th in a bipartisan vote and is sponsored by Representative Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) in the House. It now moves to the desk of Governor Lujan Grisham, who has championed this game-changing legislation this session.
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