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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
New Carbon Rules Will Create Jobs, Investment
By Dr. John Fogarty
President, New Energy Economy
Like most New Mexicans, I'm excited at the prospect of a new administration, led by Gov.-elect Susana Martinez, tackling our state's most pressing issue: job creation.
Everyone understands the urgent need for New Mexico's families and communities to get back to work as soon as possible at jobs that pay well and endure. This is why New Energy Economy and a broad coalition of interests are asking the state's Environment Improvement Board to adopt new carbon pollution rules.
During the recent election contest, we heard a lot of rhetoric from all sides including claims that campaign contributions from "big oil" were unduly influencing the election and statements questioning the scientific consensus around climate change. With the election behind us, I'm confident that Martinez and other leaders will come together around a practical approach to get New Mexicans back to work.
The energy industry is a dominant player in New Mexico's economy. Energy jobs are good jobs for New Mexico's families and communities.
New Energy Economy's proposed carbon pollution reduction rules will encourage more job creation, investment and innovation in New Mexico's energy sector and make the state more compatible with the best business practices of America's leading employers.
Oil and natural gas will remain a part of America's energy portfolio for many years to come, and a push for efficiency can create new jobs in New Mexico's oil and natural gas sector.
The proposed rules encourage New Mexico's oil and gas companies to upgrade their exploration and production processes in ways that increase efficiency and reduce pollution using techniques now common in states like Wyoming and Colorado.
Upgrading New Mexico's oil and natural gas facilities will create more clean energy jobs.
In contrast to natural gas and renewable sources, the coal-fired power plants that PNM still relies on for electricity generation represent inferior technology that can no longer be justified on economic, environmental or public health grounds.
PNM's lack of sound business management and foresight with regard to its coal-heavy energy portfolio are in large part responsible for both the company's frequent need to raise rates and the company's abysmal credit rating.
New carbon pollution rules will increase the pressure on PNM to rapidly grow its commitment to clean energy sources.
PNM's complaint that the rules will force them to increase their billing rates by perhaps 1 percent is ironic since the company is actually in the process of asking for a 22 percent rate hike.
Pushing PNM to dramatically increase its clean energy portfolio also will keep pace with efforts by leading American employers to reduce carbon pollution and use more clean energy.
At the U.S. Department of Defense, the Navy and Marines expect to generate 50 percent of all the power they use from renewable sources by 2020. Walmart is working to get all of its power from renewable sources.
In these and many comparable cases, reducing carbon pollution and using more clean energy represent the best economic choices for well-managed organizations to compete, thrive and create more clean energy jobs for New Mexicans.
Finally, the proposed carbon pollution reduction rules will help encourage job creation, investment and innovation in renewable energy.
Just as the state benefits from its oil and natural gas reserves, New Mexico will leverage its world-leading solar power and wind power resources to create jobs and generate wealth.
New Mexico's momentum around energy innovation will grow as Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratory continue their pioneering development and commercialization of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies.
Innovative carbon pollution rules will spur job growth and investment by improving the efficiency of New Mexico's oil and natural gas sector. The state also will come in line with some of the best current business practices around reducing pollution and using more clean energy.
These same rules will further encourage job creation and investment in New Mexico's renewable energy industries.
Notably, all these benefits can be realized without waiting for Washington, D.C., to enact complicated national energy legislation. New Mexico can take the lead.
I look forward to supporting Martinez's efforts to create more clean energy jobs for New Mexico's families and communities.
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