FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Time to Transition to Clean Energy, Reduce Electricity Costs, and Provide Economic Relief to San Juan County Workers
Santa Fe, N.M.– Today, Sens. Mimi Stewart and Jacob Candelaria, Rep. Nathan Small, and a coalition of community organizations, labor unions, and environmental advocates introduced the Energy Transition Act (ETA, SB 489).
“The Energy Transition Act will set New Mexico on a course toward clean energy, lower energy costs, help workers impacted by the retirement of New Mexico’s biggest coal plant, and signal to the country that New Mexico is doing its part to address climate change,” said Oriana Sandoval, CEO for the Center for Civic Policy.
The ETA incorporates stronger language for a new Renewable Portfolio Standard negotiated by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham just this weekend.
“ETA also encourages training programs for traditionally disadvantaged communities– which is exactly what New Mexico needs right now and we are proud to support this bill,” Sandoval said.
In the proposed legislation, New Mexico communities impacted by coal plant closures will receive $40 million in economic relief to assist plant employees, mineworkers and others with severance pay and job training. The fund will also assist the Four Corners’ economy to transition away from its dependence on fossil fuel extraction.
SB 489 will be assigned committees this week.
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