Quote:The southwestern state is the latest to embrace carbon-free electricity, passing a bill that will require all electricity from public utilities to come from carbon-free sources. The bill, which passed 43-22 in New Mexico’s increasingly Democratic legislature, requires the state (now one of the country’s top oil, gas, and coal producers) to get 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and 80% by 2040. By 2045, it must go entirely carbon-free.

Most of the new electricity is expected to come from wind and solar sources. Opponents of the bill cast doubt on the state’s ability to move beyond fossil fuels; for example, it will require that the 847 MW San Juan Generating Station, one of the nation’s major coal plants, to close by 2022.

To compensate for the loss of coal revenue, the bill sends $40 million to regions expected to lose coal production and required 450 MW of new carbon-free generating capacity to be built there. The bill also allows utilities to recoup losses with a low-cost financing option to shutter existing coal infrastructure and build new assets. Utilities will be able to charge customers “for the recovery of energy-transition costs,” according to Greentech Media. It’s unclear how much ratepayers will have to fork over in the short-term, but experts say the transition will save customers money in the long run. This sort of managed transition from fossil fuels is “an example to states struggling to balance the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition,” said the Union of Concerned Scientists in a statement.

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In the same session, they passed a bill requiring 33% of all zoo animals in the state to be Unicorns.

(03-13-2019 02:22 PM)Chappy Wrote:  In the same session, they passed a bill requiring 33% of all zoo animals in the state to be Unicorns.

I think this one has a better chance of actually happening.

This came out today:

NM oil production hit record high in 2018

Does the wind ever stop in New Mexico at night? I hope not...

Wouldn't you know it. NM goes and makes coal burning illegal and then they went and made recreational marijuana smoking legal. Isn't that going to create a big carbon footprint? LOL

It'll be drive at your own risk when you enter its borders. A lot of driving while impaired fines will be the norm from the residual smoke all over the state. *being facetious okay?*

(03-13-2019 06:39 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Wouldn't you know it. NM goes and makes coal burning illegal and then they went and made recreational marijuana smoking legal. Isn't that going to create a big carbon footprint? LOL

It'll be drive at your own risk when you enter its borders. A lot of driving while impaired fines will be the norm from the residual smoke all over the state. *being facetious okay?*

Mary Jane can only be sold by state run pot shops, which will get this state really smoken.