New Mexico Releases Climate Group’s Recommendations

December 5, 2006

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Governor Bill Richardson’s Climate Change Advisory Group announced today that New Mexico could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 267 million metric tons and create a projected $2 billion net economic savings for New Mexico’s economy over the next decade if the state adopts 69 policies they developed on climate change.

The group has been working on its recommendations for more than a year.

The recommendations would create greenhouse gas emissions reductions through initiatives in transportation, land use, energy supply, agriculture, forestry and energy use in residential, commercial and industrial operations. Some of the top recommendations of the advisory group are to increase the renewable energy portfolio, create incentives for energy efficiency in buildings, require cleaner cars and reduce emissions from oil and gas production.

The state’s renewable portfolio standard requires that 10 percent of all electricity be produced from renewable sources by 2011. In October, a package of energy proposals was announced including a $23 million investment in energy efficiency and green buildings, a recurring investment of $9.6 million for land, wildlife and clean energy projects and $3 million in tax incentives for biofuels, energy efficient appliances and renewable energy manufacturers.

New Mexico’s advisory group consisted of about 40 representatives from tribes, industry, agriculture, universities and our national labs and environmental nonprofit groups. The group met six times around the state for the past year and a half to gather public input for the process.

The final report of the advisory group is available here.

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