In December 2017 and January 2018, CVNM was part of an intense negotiation of a PNM-backed bill on the closure of San Juan Generating Station, the coal-fired power plant near Farmington, New Mexico. This piece of legislation (Senate Bill 47) became one of the most contentious and well-covered bills of the legislative session. But the full story of this debate hasn’t been fully told, and – spoiler alert – it’s mostly good news. The negotiations didn’t quite get to the finish line, but we made enormous progress to build on for the coming year.
As context, San Juan Generating Station must and will close in the coming years. PNM – the majority owner – has already set a deadline of 2022 for the plant’s closure. The economic reality for PNM is that, like most of the coal plants in the country, coal is no longer the cheapest or most reliable source of energy. Coal power plants are also New Mexico’s largest sources of air and climate-changing pollution.
But the closure of San Juan Generating Station can wreak havoc on local economies and families, particularly those families who work at the generating station and the nearby mine. Any consideration of closure must take into account the well-being of those families; the economic vitality of San Juan County, the City of Farmington, the Navajo Nation, and neighboring jurisdictions; and the tax base of the school district and local governments.
Four Corners Power Plant
Kadin Royston plays while waiting for her family’s water barrels to fill as the Four Corners Power Plant operates about 15 miles west of Farmington, New Mexico.
Photo: Brian Leddy
The original bill PNM backed was silent on the economic impact to the Four Corners area. CVNM and environmental coalition allies insisted on an investment for economic development in Farmington and surrounding communities, as well as a commitment that replacement energy would be clean and competitively bid so that ratepayers get the lowest rates for their electricity.
To its credit, PNM largely came to agree. The negotiations revealed a growing reason for hope that New Mexico is poised to make tremendous gains in the shift from coal to clean energy, while also helping the most affected communities begin the process of diversifying their economies. In short, our negotiations brought about a broad consensus among legislative leadership, community organizations, environmental groups and the state’s largest utility that it is time to jump-start New Mexico’s clean energy economy, bring new jobs and diversify the economies of parts of our state that have been heavily reliant upon extractive industries.
Unfortunately, within the short, 30-day session, there were several issues which could not be resolved to the satisfaction of lawmakers and the environmental community, such as who would own replacement power and where the line should be drawn between the role of the State Legislature and that of the Public Regulation Commission in setting policy. We are nevertheless confident and hopeful that we can continue working toward resolution of these remaining matters.
The negotiations led to recognition among leading environmental and community groups and PNM that the families and economies of the Four Corners area must be protected; that PNM should get to 50% clean energy by 2030; and that New Mexico is ready to move into new clean energy jobs and away from coal. That’s significant progress, and we’re going to make sure we capitalize on that by continuing to work with lawmakers, Farmington stakeholders and PNM so that we can move the economies of New Mexico and the Four Corners area forward in the 2019 legislative session.
By Noah Long, CVNM Board President
Know the Score > Take Action
Say ‘thanks’ … or, ‘no thanks’!
Tell your Legislators that you ‘know the score’
One of the best ways to influence the voting records of your elected officials is to communicate regularly with them. If your legislators scored well, it’s important to thank them and to support them. If you feel you weren’t well-represented by your legislators’ votes, it’s important to hold them accountable by letting them know what you think about their votes. The Scorecard is your key to staying informed on your legislators votes and getting in touch with them.
Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators
Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.
The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.
Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.
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