News Release

June 02, 2014
PNM Statement Regarding Proposed EPA Rule on Carbon Emissions

Albuquerque: PNM senior vice president of Public Policy Ron Darnell today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule that would require states to achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions.

"Since 2003 PNM Resources has worked diligently to address climate change in meaningful ways while ensuring reliability and minimizing the cost to our customers.  We appreciate that the EPA rule provides each state with significant flexibility in developing a compliance plan that recognizes unique opportunities and challenges.
"The EPA's draft rule to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants is a lengthy and complex document and the standards published today are state-specific and focus on statewide reductions, not on a single source of emissions or on a single utility. As a result, it's too early to tell how it will affect PNM specifically.  
"We do know that our proposal to shut down 836 MW at the San Juan Generating Station to meet an existing visibility rule will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while minimizing the cost impact to our customers.   In fact, the plan reduces carbon dioxide emissions at San Juan by 50 percent. Significantly, the EPA has confirmed that carbon reductions from the regional haze plan will count toward compliance with the 111(d) rule. We want to express our appreciation to New Mexico Governor Martinez, the New Mexico Environment Department, and EPA for their critical role in developing this clear path forward that will protect our environment for future generations, carefully manage costs and continue to provide reliable power to our customers throughout New Mexico.
"We remain committed to working with the State of New Mexico, the N.M. Public Regulation Commission, and EPA, as well as our customers and stakeholders over the coming months to ensure that the final rule provides New Mexicans a cleaner environment that promotes economic development at affordable rates."

With headquarters in Albuquerque, PNM is the largest electricity provider in New Mexico, serving more than 500,000 customers in dozens of communities across the state. PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company also headquartered in Albuquerque. For more information, visit PNM.com.