Public Policy Leadership
Policies that promote clean air as well as create incentives to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, can substantially reduce the negative impacts of pollution from coal fired power plants. Much can be done at the state level to promote clean air, and in the process provide local and state economic benefits like job creation.
EPA Air Quality Regulations
PNM’s San Juan Generating Station is the ninth largest emitter of nitrous oxides (NOX) among the forty-plus coal plants in the American west. On August 5, 2011, the EPA issued a solid final rule mandating that the San Juan coal plant impose strong pollution controls, Selective Catalytic Reduction, to reduce NOX, sulfur dioxide and other harmful emissions. Thousands of our activists contributed to this outcome by testifying at EPA hearings, writing op-eds and letters to the editor, and submitting public comments to the EPA. We believe maintaining pressure to ensure that this rule is applied to PNM’s San Juan coal plant represents a compelling opportunity to build local and national momentum behind coal plant closures in more than 40 states.
New Energy Economy Supports EPA’s Air Pollution Controls at San Juan Coal Plant
A coalition of environmental groups filed a motion in federal court to intervene in PNM’s appeal of an EPA rule requiring the installation of strong pollution controls at PNM’s San Juan Generating Station. The required technology, selective catalytic reduction, is a proven, cost-effective technology designed to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 90 percent, that is already in use at more than 208 coal plants nationwide. New Energy Economy emphasized the highly negative impacts that pollution from the San Juan plant has on public health, climate change and the local economy.
Coal-burning power plants are the nation’s largest source of carbon dioxide, the heat-trapping GHG pollutant that causes global warming. PNM is responsible for more than half of all carbon emissions in New Mexico. PNM’s SJGS also causes local pollution that has alarming health risks. SJGS plant emits pollution that is associated to increased asthma attacks and to environmental problems like acid rain, haze, smog, and other air and water pollution. These air quality impacts have, to date, escaped adequate regulation and have high associated costs. These are externalized costs – i.e., costs that are not paid by PNM Resources or its customers but, rather, by people suffering from these impacts.
PNM’s San Juan Generating Station is the ninth largest emitter of nitrogen oxides (NOx) among the forty-plus coal plants in the American west. On August 5, 2011, the EPA issued a solid final rule mandating that the San Juan coal plant impose strong pollution controls, Selective Catalytic Reduction, to reduce NOX, sulfur dioxide and other harmful emissions. In addition to reducing pollution and protecting health, this decision contributes to an important national trend with the EPA more tightly controlling coal pollution and thereby hastening the closing of coal power plants. Thousands of our activists contributed to this outcome by testifying at EPA hearings, writing op-eds and letters to the editor, and submitting public comments to the EPA urging them to reduce the pollution coming from the San Juan coal plant.
The EPA Interstate Haze Rule has become a crucial tool for reducing pollution and compelling coal plant closure. Even with EPA mandated control measures pollution can be minimized but not eliminated. Long-term energy, economic, and health solutions are needed to shift energy production from coal plants to cleaner, non-polluting technologies. We know that reducing energy consumption and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy are essential steps to a healthy and sustainable New Mexico. That is why we are pressing for alternative solutions that do NOT extend the life of PNM’s San Juan coal plant.
Download our letter written on behalf of a coalition of environmental groups that calls for PNM and the Governor to come up with a transition plan that shutters the coal plant, with dates certain for units to close, and a plan for replacement with energy efficiency and clean energy.
Download PNM’s San Juan coal plant background and litigation timeline »
PRC Commissioners call for transition from San Juan Coal »
Carbon Reduction Victory
On December 6, 2010, the New Mexico Environment Improvement Board (EIB), adopted New Energy Economy’s (NEE) rules to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3 percent per year from 2010 levels, with a goal to reduce emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. This rule enables effective and efficient carbon pollution reduction that will foster clean energy job creation and prosperity for New Mexico’s families and communities. This breakthrough achievement provides a practical model for national climate change policy and economic renewal.
For more information about this victory:
- Environmental Protection and Air Quality Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Program: The state wide GHG cap as adopted by the Environmental Improvement Board, was filed with the New Mexico state register on December 27, 2010. PDF download to read the complete GHG filing
- Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) Statement of Reasons: The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board after hearing hours of technical and public testimony from around the state made a ruling on December 6, 2010 that New Energy Economy’s regulation to reduce carbon is both technically and economically viable. PDF download to read the complete EIB statement of reasons
Carbon Reduction Victory: In the Media
New York Times: Tentative Signs of Life for Greenhouse Gas Controls – New Mexico’s environmental board approves plans to cap emissions beginning in 2013. By Felicity Barringer December 07, 2010.
Carbon Reduction Victory Timeline: Challenges to the Carbon Reduction Rule
Click here for background and benefits of protecting the Carbon Reduction Rule »
Read an in-depth article about the Challenges to the Carbon Reduction Rule »
Read Background on New Mexico Carbon Pollution Reduction Rule »
Download:the timeline as a PDF
Utility Rate Hike Intervention
When New Mexico’s largest utility, PNM, requested a $165 million electricity rate hike before the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC) New Energy Economy seized this opportunity to expand our offensive to end coal in our state. Our intervention included painstaking legal process, extensive expert testimony, grass roots organizing and relentless media engagement.
Our legal efforts created an unprecedented shift in tone among the PRC, the media and the public with regard to the veracity and sustainability of PNM’s business model. As a result, public and private leaders from all points on the political spectrum now question PNM’s insistence on continuing to invest in antiquated and dangerous coal technology.
In a rare spilt decision, the PRC ultimately approved PNM’s rate hike on July 26, 2011 after reducing the increase by $20 million and restructuring residential rates to limit the impact on low to moderate income households. With the ruling, one PRC Commissioner stated that without laws requiring greenhouse gas reduction New Mexico will continue to rely on coal.
PNM’s Flawed Integrated Resource Plan
New Energy Economy filed strong opposition to PNM’s 2011 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC). Our opposition points to numerous flaws in PNM’s IRP that will result in unstable and rising prices for consumers, decreased energy security, unsustainable levels of air pollution and water consumption, and severely constrained job creation and economic growth in New Mexico.
By disregarding energy efficiency, pollution control and clean energy development, PNM is denying New Mexico’s businesses and families important economic, health and environmental benefits. Texas, Colorado and Arizona are literally creating thousands of clean energy jobs while PNM fights to protect its failed investments in outdated and dangerous coal technology.
New Energy Economy’s objection provides clear and compelling evidence in support of the following key points:
- PNM’s IRP proposesthe minimum in energy efficiency, below the legal requirements stipulated in the Energy Efficiency Act, despite overwhelming evidence that such measures would result in vast cost savings.
- PNM’s IRP dismissesrenewable energy sources despite the rapidly declining cost of these technologies and New Mexico’s abundance of wind power and solar power potential.
- PNM’s IRP assumesits coal plants can continue to consume billions of gallons of clean water each year even though New Mexico is experiencing its worst drought year in recorded history.
- PNM’s IRP refusesto acknowledge the dangerous health and environmental costs of maintaining its antiquated coal plants.
- PNM’s IRP does not accurately account for the costs of current and imminent pollution regulations and the inevitable pricing of carbon emissions.
