How does New Mexico transition to renewable energy and how quickly can we get carbon free? It’s an historical moment in New Mexico as the state tries to implement energy policy in the New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act and deal with the investment needed for a clean-energy future. Current energy sources are under the microscope and unresolved issues about power supply across the state are being highlighted.
New Mexico is in the top echelon of U.S. states in both wind and solar energy potential. It’s eighth in natural gas production and the second largest producer of oil. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Avangrid plan to host the 2022 Energy Summit April 21-22 at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe. The summit includes keynote speeches, panel sessions and networking opportunities all attempting answers to the state’s energy transition questions.
“The USHCC energy summit is a great opportunity to bring together leaders from the energy sector, the community and policymakers to further the dialogue on how we can accelerate the transformation to clean energy,” explained Deputy CEO and President of AVANGRID Robert Kump explained. “As a clean-energy leader, New Mexico provides the perfect backdrop as we discuss the opportunities to transition energy to cleaner sources at the state and federal levels.”
Organizers say the intent of the summit is to spark dialogue on the critical issues affecting the energy sector. “There will be robust discussions and collaborative opportunities focusing on solutions, policy and cutting-edge technology as our energy industry transitions along the continuum of fossil fuel to more renewable resources.”
The two-day event will focus on how the demands of today’s energy economy can be sustainably balanced with the supply of various natural and renewable resources. Guest speakers at the event are from PNM, Avangrid and the energy companies Oncor, Edison International, Chevron, NV Energy, the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratory, and others.
“We are very excited to partner with The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for this year’s Energy Summit,” said Pat Vincent-Collawn, chairman, president and CEO of PNM. “By bringing together our industry to connect and learn from each other, we can positively impact the communities we serve.”
PNM still has a lot of unresolved irons in the energy fire as Avangrid is still awaiting a decision from the state Supreme Court on its appeal to the Public Regulation Commission’s rejection of its proposed merger with PNM. Also under review by the PRC are PNM’s costs in abandoning its coal-fired San Juan plant. The PRC also just completed its community solar rulemaking process.
“The Summit aims to spark dialogue on the critical issues affecting the energy sector, including the demands of diverse human assets blended with the supply of various natural resource assets. Help us shape the current and future demographics in America’s energy economy,” said Ernie C’deBaca, president and CEO of the Hispano Chamber.
Register for the in-person Energy Summit at ushccenergysummit.com. Tickets are $300.