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New Mexico Renewable Energy Standard Doubled

Governor Richardson signed SB418, which doubles New Mexico’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard from 10% by 2011 to 20% by the year 2020. The bill also sets a renewable energy standard for all rural electric cooperatives, requiring them to get 10% of their electricity from renewables by 2020. The Public Service Company of New Mexico is expected to meet the state’s current RPS of 10% several years ahead of schedule. “Not only will this double the renewable energy developed it will also play a critical role in launching large scale solar power generation in the United States,” said Ben Luce, Policy Director of the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, CCAE. “This will provide for the first time a serious alternative to coal and nuclear power.” The Governor also signed the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, HB188, by Jose Campos (D-Santa Rosa). HB188 requires that lines contracted by the Authority have at least 30% of their energy come from renewable energy sources. Investments in wind and other renewable energy technologies help generate tremendous new economic development opportunities in rural and agricultural areas of the country, enabling farmers, ranchers and landowners to grow a reliable new “cash crop” that doesn’t need water.

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Verizon Retrofits Vans for Hybrid Power

In a precedent-setting move, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), will soon begin a pilot project using 13 specially designed service vans with hybrid-engine systems. Because no domestic motor vehicle manufacturer currently makes hybrid vehicles in the “van” category, Verizon worked with Enova Systems Inc., a company that specializes in hybrid-power systems, to retrofit the vehicles to Verizon’s specifications. The engines could improve gas mileage by up to 50% over traditional internal-combustion engines, and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70-90%. The vans, which have FiOS and green-energy markings on them, will serve some of Verizon’s FiOS Internet and TV customers over the next several weeks. “These retrofitted FiOS vans will allow us to evaluate hybrid technology,” said Kathryn Brown, senior vice president of public policy development and corporate responsibility for Verizon. “More importantly, as an operator of one of the largest private motor vehicle fleets in the U.S., we hope to send a message to automotive manufacturers that they should be manufacturing hybrid vehicles in all classes. There is a market here, especially for companies like Verizon that seek to minimize the environmental impact of their operations.” Other Verizon environmental activities: Last year, Verizon developed a plan […]

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