PNM: Economic Benefits

Power plants bring high-paying jobs and generate other economic benefits to the communities in which they are located.

Power plants offer high-paying jobs.
San Juan Generating Station, which PNM operates, employs 435 workers in San Juan County and has an annual payroll of $25 million. A large percentage of San Juan employees have worked there for 20 years or more – testament to the good working environment and high-paying jobs.
Four Corners Generating Station, operated by Arizona Public Service, employs about 570 employees, 73 percent of which are members of the Navajo Nation.
Lordsburg Generating Station, which became operational in June 2002, employs four people with about $200,000 in annual pay.
Afton Generating Station, operational in fall 2002, will employ six to eight people full-time with an annual payroll of $400,000.

Economic studies show that power plants bring money to their cities, counties, states and school districts.

San Juan Generating Station is the largest payer of property taxes in San Juan County, at $6.6 million per year. In addition, plant owners pay $49.5 million in royalty and taxes of coal deliveries to the plant. The plant also spends more than $33 million a year in purchases and contracts.
Afton Generating Station, operational in 2002, will generate a net total of $66.8 million in state and local taxes over a 10-year period. Doña Ana County, in southern New Mexico, will experience a positive fiscal impact of $7.4 million from increased tax revenues. The area school district will benefit from $4.7 million from taxes on the project during the next 10 years.