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News Release
Aug. 22, 2003
PNM Applauds Gov. Richardson Focus on Electric
Grid, State Renewable Energy Industry
Albuquerque: Gov. Bill Richardson’s announcement
today that he will form a New Mexico energy task force to
look at electric grid reliability and further development
of renewable energy within the state has the support of PNM,
the state’s largest electric and gas utility.
“We absolutely support the governor’s focus on
electric reliability and his vision for growing the renewable
energy industry within New Mexico,” said Jeff Sterba,
chairman, president and CEO. “We look forward to working
with him on both of these issues.”
Sterba said that PNM yesterday briefed members of the state
Public Regulation Commission (PRC) on the status of the both
the Western grid and PNM’s electric transmission system,
which runs more than 2,000 miles within New Mexico’s
borders.
“While we believe a catastrophic, multi-state outage
is unlikely today in the West, we do believe the transmission
system is under strain and in need of enhancement and upgrade,”
Sterba said. “We will work with the governor to scrutinize
New Mexico’s portion of the grid and determine exactly
what needs to be done to maintain, into the future, the electric
reliability that customers enjoy today.”
On the issue of renewable energy, Sterba said PNM has moved
aggressively into wind energy – and that the company
is exploring other renewable technologies as well. “We
are fully supportive of the governor’s initiative to
make New Mexico a national leader in renewable energy,”
he said.
PNM has a contract to purchase all electricity produced by
the New Mexico Wind Energy Center, near Ft. Sumner. The wind
center can produce enough energy to supply 94,000 average-sized
New Mexico homes and will be dedicated Oct. 1. At this time,
it is the third largest wind generation facility in the world.
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