Legislative Action
2008 BILLS
Priority bill
- Utility Customer Load Management: establishes an Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EPS) for electric utilities. The EPS is 5% by 2014 and 10% by 2020. Directs the Public Regulatory Commission to give utilities an oportunity to make a profit on their energy efficiency programs just as they make a profit on building power plants. Since energy efficiency costs 2 or 3 cents per kWh versus new generation at more than 6 cents/kWh this will result in savings to consumers and businesses.
- Status: Passed House Consumer & Public Affairs, House Energy & Natural Resources, Passed House, Senate Conservation, Passed Senate Corporations & Transportation, Passed Senate Floor. PASSED THE LEGISLATURE!
- Bill Numbers: HB 305 (Ben Lujan)
Low-income assistance, weatherization
- Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs: Appropriates $3 million to the Human Services Department to support the low-income home energy assistance program.
- Status: Passed House Energy & Natural Resources, before the House Appropriations & Finance.
- Bill Numbers:HB 246 (Peter Wirth)
- Residential Energy Conservation Program: Appropriates $5 million to the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority for energy efficiency measures fo low-income residential homes. Since this increases energy efficiency it should reduce energy consumption and the need to provide home energy assistance in the future.
- Status: Passed Senate Conservation, before Senate Finance.
- Bill Numbers: SB 211 (Richard Martin)
- Low-Income Home Energy Conservation Program: Appropriates $10 million tot he Human Services Department for home heating and weatherization for low-income home energy assistance program. Part of this is directed toward weatherization which will reduce energy consumption and reduce the need for low-income energy assistance in the future.
- Status:
- Bill Numbers: HB 219 (Edward Sandoval)
- Home Energy Relief Fund Distribution: This bill creates an fund with revenue from part of the natural gas processors tax for home energy assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency measures. Unlike the other four bills this has recurring funding which is based on a tax on the natural gas industry which should be somewhat correlated to energy prices. Part of this is directed toward weatherization and energy efficiency which should reduce energy consumption and reduce the future need for home energy assistance.
- Status: Passed Senate Public Affairs, before Senate Finance.
- Bill Numbers: SB 189 (Linda Lopez)
- Efficiency Loan Program: Approriates $2.5 million to the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority for energy efficiency loans. This is an interim committee and Governor's bill.
- Status: Passed Senate Conservation, before Senate Finance.
- Bill Numbers: SB 210 (Richard Martin)
Mountain States ruling
- Low-Income Consumer Utility Rates:
- Status: not promoted
- Bill Numbers: HB 247 (Peter Wirth)
- Public Utility Low-Income Customer Rates:
- Status:
- Bill Numbers: SB 241 (Cisco McSorely)
$15 Million for Clean Energy Fund
Energy Efficient Appliance Tax Credit
- Energy-Efficient Tax Credit: Provides income tax credits for energy efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
- Status: Passed House Business & Industries, before House Taxation & Revenue.
- Bill Numbers: HB 216 (Bobby Conzalez)
- Energy-Efficient Tax Credit: Provides income tax credits for energy e
fficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
- Status: Passed Senate Corporations & Transportation, before Senate Finance
- Bill Numbers:SB 35 (Dede Feldman)
Other Bills:
- Certification Training Program: $100,000 to develop a green building training program.
- Status: Amended and Passed Senate Conservation, before Senate Finance.
- Bill Numbers: SB 36 (Dede Feldman)
- Resource and Energy Efficient Buildings: Requires public buildings use green building techniques.
- Status:
- Bill Numbers: SB 403 (Pete Campos)
- $50K in Construction Industries Division (CID) Budget:
- $100K in special appropriations for CID:
- Solar Market Develpment Eligibility: expands the availability of the Solar Tax Credit to Limited Liability Corporations and low-income people.
- Status: Passed Senate Corporations & Transportation, before Senate Finance.
- Bill Numbers: SB 100 (Dede Feldman)
- Solar Energy Research Park & Academy: $9 million for a solar energy research park and academy.
- Status: passed House Education, before House Appropriations & Finance.
- Bill Numbers: HB 146 (Ben Lujan)
Previous Legislative Summaries:
