Overview
New Mexico has made important commitments to transition its economy away from fossil fuels and toward carbon-free energy sources. Many cost-effective technologies are available to approach these goals, but deploying them will require focused effort. The transition to a carbon-free, efficient energy system also presents new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and equitable economic growth.
In response to these challenges and opportunities, on Feb. 26-28, 2020 an interdisciplinary group of local, national, and international experts met at the Santa Fe Institute to discuss strategies for the deep decarbonization of New Mexico’s economy. This report draws on discussions from the workshop and subsequent conversations with New Mexico stakeholders. Our objective is to highlight opportunities that can inform concrete action items by the Governor and Legislature, the Public Regulation Commission, and by local governments.
Read the report, "The Energy Transition in New Mexico: Insights from a Santa Fe Institute Workshop" (October 22, 2020)
Read the executive summary (October 22, 2020)
Watch the authors' presentation to the New Mexico Legislature's Water and Natural Resources Committee (starting at 10:28, November 9, 2020)
Left to right: Solar Energy Program participant at Santa Fe Community College (courtesy SFCC); Lithium-ion cell research (courtesy Randy Montoya/Sandia National Laboratory); Kayenta Solar Facility (courtesy The Navajo Times); Energy Smart Academy Participant at Santa Fe Community College (courtesy SFCC)