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New Mexico Announces Bold Agenda For Future Green Economy

Source: Governor of New Mexico
Posted on: 13th January 2010

Governor Bill Richardson today signed an executive order that outlines the state’s course to building a comprehensive green economy.

The executive order carries out recommendations and goals detailed in the report developed by the Governor’s Green Jobs Cabinet.

Governor Richardson signed the executive order at SCHOTT Solar’s Albuquerque manufacturing plant.

“A comprehensive green economy is critical to the future of New Mexico and will lead our state into a new era of economic vitality and stability,” Governor Richardson said.
“Today I am outlining a clear path to ensure our state capitalizes economically and environmentally on our abundant renewable resources and assets.”

The Green Jobs Cabinet identified five immediate goals for the state to realize its full green economy potential, including:

1. To become a leader in renewable energy export.

2. To become the center of the North American solar industry. This includes everything from research and development to manufacturing to the installation of solar elements in our buildings.

3. To lead the nation in Green Grid innovation.

4. To continue being a leader in green building and energy efficiency.

5. To have an educational system that prepares New Mexico students for jobs in green technologies.

Governor Richardson’s executive order lays out a wide scope of directives to reach these goals, and involves several state agencies, including the Economic Development Department, the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, the New Mexico Environmental Department, the Indian Affairs Department, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Department of Workforce Solutions, Public Education Department and Higher Education Department.

Governor Richardson also announced the release of the New Mexico Green Jobs Guidebook. The Guidebook provides an overview of green occupations, their education requirements, and resources available at New Mexico colleges and universities. The guidebook is available on the Economic Development Departments website, http://www.edd.state.nm.us.

Additionally, Governor Richardson announced he will seek legislation to expand the state’s Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit during the upcoming legislative session. The expansion will double the available credit for solar generators to one million megawatt hours. The Production Tax Credit expansion is critical for ensuring that there is an in-state market for the products from our growing cluster of solar manufacturers like SCHOTT, Emcore, and Signet Solar.

The Green Jobs Cabinet report is available at http://www.edd.state.nm.us/greenEconomy/governorsGreenJobsCabinetReport.pdf.

The full text of Governor Richardson’s executive order follows:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2010-001

NEW MEXICO CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY ACTION

WHEREAS, Governor Richardson has declared New Mexico to be the “Clean Energy State” and has adopted a series of Executive Orders to promote and implement Nation-leading policies regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation, and the growth of clean energy and clean technology economic development and job creation, namely:

1. Executive Order 2004-19; Declaring New Mexico the “Clean Energy State,” Creating a Clean
Energy Development Council and Directing State Agencies to Support and Participate;

2. Executive Order 2005-33; Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction;

3. Executive Order 2005-49; Requiring the Increased Use of Renewable Fuels in New Mexico
State Government;

4. Executive Order 2006-01; State of New Mexico Energy Efficient Green Building Standards
for State Buildings;

5. Executive Order 2006-69; New Mexico Climate Change Action;

6. Executive Order 2007-053; Increasing Energy Efficiency in State Government by 2015 and
Statewide by 2012 and 2020;

7. Executive Order 2008-028; Establishing a Strong Telework and Flexible Work Hours
Program to Help Reduce Fuel Use and Taxpayer Costs;

8. Executive Order 2009-002; Expanding New Mexico’s Clean Energy Economy;

9. Executive Order 2009-047; Establishing New Mexico As A Leader In Addressing Climate
Change;

WHEREAS, Executive Order 2009-002 established the Green Jobs Cabinet (“GJC”) with the purpose of preparing a statewide strategic plan for clean energy and clean technology economic development and job creation;

WHEREAS, in developing its report to the Governor, the GJC interviewed over 100 clean energy economy leaders, organized town hall dialogues in over a dozen cities in every region of the State, and solicited citizen recommendations via a formal Call for Comments;
WHEREAS, the GJC recommended five strategies for expanding New Mexico’s clean energy economy, consisting of:

1. Be the Leader in Renewable Energy Export
2. Be the Center of the North American Solar Industry
3. Lead the Nation in Green Grid Innovation
4. Be a Center of Excellence for Green Building and Energy Efficiency
5. Have a Highly-Skilled and Ready-to-Work Workforce

WHEREAS, green jobs, defined by the GJC as “family-supporting, career-track jobs that directly contribute to preserving or enhancing environmental quality,” are generally well-paid, place-based, difficult to lose to foreign competition, and critical to a sustainable future;

WHEREAS, between 1998 and 2007, green jobs grew by 50% overall in New Mexico, which is 25 times the rate of overall job growth in the State according to The Pew Charitable Trusts;

WHEREAS, according to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, New Mexico’s clean energy economy has created green jobs in both rural and urban areas; the Clean Energy Sector grew in New Mexico during the last 10 years by 118%, Energy Efficiency by 184%, Environmentally Friendly Production by 99%, and Conservation and Pollution Mitigation by 35%;

WHEREAS, total renewable electricity generation in New Mexico grew at the second fastest rate in the Nation between 2001 and 2007, increasing by 555.2% according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory;

WHEREAS, New Mexico’s clean energy economy will continue to generate significant job growth, as the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could create 37 million new jobs in the United States by 2030, with New Mexico’s share reaching 236,800 jobs according to the American Solar Energy Society;

WHEREAS, in his 2009 speech at New Mexico State University, US Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu applauded New Mexico’s clean energy economy efforts and encouraged further development of the excellent geothermal resources found in the State;

WHEREAS, the GJC’s strategic plan provides for the State’s continued leadership in growing a clean energy economy and for creating the green jobs that will ensure the financial well-being of New Mexicans for years to come.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:

I. Consistency with Prior Executive Orders: The Richardson Administration has executed prior Executive Orders which have addressed issues of clean and renewable energy, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and related matters. This Executive Order supplements those previous Executive Orders and further enhances their requirements and actions. Pre-existing deadlines and directives in the prior Executive Orders remain in effect unless they have been expressly superseded by executive action.

II. Coordination by the GJC: The GJC shall be responsible for coordinating the Clean Energy Economy Actions identified in this Executive Order. The GJC shall report to the Governor on the progress of Clean Energy Economy Actions by November 1, 2010.
III. Implementation of Clean Energy Economy Actions: The following actions shall be implemented under the time frames indicated; however, these actions may be supplemented with additional directives from the GJC or the Governor.

1. Economic Development Department (“EDD”): EDD shall implement and abide by the following directives:

a. EDD shall work with Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico’s research universities, congressional delegation, and other relevant stakeholders in order to support the development of a green grid in New Mexico, related technologies and associated economic development opportunities. EDD shall report on the progress of the green grid and accompanying technologies to the GJC and the Governor no later than June 30, 2010.

b. EDD shall begin operational and programmatic planning for the legislatively established Research Applications Center (“Center”) which includes a business plan for the Center to earn income as a self-sustaining and market-driven enterprise. EDD shall submit a final strategic and business plan to the GJC and the Governor no later than June 1, 2010.

c. EDD shall convene a working group that includes the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico’s research universities, venture capital community, entrepreneurs and other relevant stakeholders no later than June 30, 2010 to determine best practices for standardized, streamlined and incentivized market transfer mechanisms for clean energy technologies. EDD shall provide a report with its findings and proposed commercialization strategies to the GJC and the Governor no later than September 30, 2010.

d. EDD shall, in collaboration with the New Mexico Partnership (“Partnership”), develop annual recommendations for improving the State’s competitive position in attracting renewable energy companies to New Mexico no later than September 1 of each year. Such recommendations shall be created per the requirements of any agreements in existence between EDD and the Partnership.

2. Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (“EMNRD”): EMNRD shall implement and abide by the following directives:

a. EMNRD shall continue to support the efforts of the New Mexico Association of Counties to establish a special property tax assessment district for renewable energy in each interested county of the State. EMNRD shall report on implementation progress to the Clean Energy Development Council (“CEDC”) and the GJC and no later than March 1, 2010 and July 1, 2010, respectively.

b. EMNRD, with the cooperation of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (“NMT”), shall convene a Deep Source Geothermal Commercialization Working Group (“Geothermal Group”) no later than March 1, 2010. The Geothermal Group shall be chaired by EMNRD. The Geothermal Group shall oversee the development of a Statewide geothermal resource assessment and database. The purpose of the resource assessment and database shall be to sufficiently characterize the State’s geothermal resource and provide a database to prospective geothermal developers that shall promote commercial-scale development of the State’s geothermal resource. The Geothermal Group shall also develop technical and policy recommendations to accelerate full-scale development of New Mexico’s deep-source geothermal resource. The Geothermal Group shall include representatives from NMT and representatives from EMNRD (including the Oil Conservation Division), the Economic Development Department, the New Mexico Environment Department, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by EMNRD. Based on the recommendations of the Geothermal Group, EMNRD shall issue a report with technical and policy recommendations for developing the State’s geothermal resource to the GJC and the CEDC no later than December 1, 2010.

c. EMNRD shall participate in Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) rule-making and Investor-Owned Utility and rural electric cooperatives program filings related to the implementation of the Efficient Use of Energy Act and the Renewable Energy Act. EMNRD shall document its participation, recommendations and the PRC outcomes and submit a summary to the GJC and the Governor no later than December 1 of each year.

3. New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”): NMED shall implement and abide by the following directive:

a. NMED shall convene an advisory group to develop a permitting guide for renewable energy projects and green industries. The guide shall incorporate general permitting information, contacts for relevant regulatory agencies, and any additional information that could facilitate the permitting process. The advisory group shall include representatives of the Department of Game and Fish, the Office of the State Engineer, EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division, EDD and other stakeholders deemed appropriate by NMED, and shall consult with the Public Regulation Commission and other interested parties. NMED shall present the guide to the GJC and the Governor no later than June 30, 2010.

4. Indian Affairs Department (“IAD”): IAD shall implement and abide by the following directive:

a. IAD shall provide information to the Tribes, Nations and Pueblos in New Mexico about the opportunities for economic development presented by the green economy. In consultation with the Economic Development Department, IAD shall develop and implement a plan for promoting the growth of green businesses and jobs in Tribal communities. IAD shall report on the plan to the GJC and the Governor no later than March 31, 2010.

5. New Mexico Department of Agriculture (“NMDA”): NMDA shall implement and abide by the following directives:

a. NMDA shall collaborate with the biofuels industry, New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Science, other New Mexico universities, national laboratories, and industry groups to evaluate economic development opportunities in the areas of algal and agricultural produced biofuels in New Mexico. NMDA’s analysis shall incorporate and build upon the work of the initiative “Toward a New Mexico State Plan for Biofuels Leadership.” NMDA shall consider water requirements and water availability in collaboration with the Office of the State Engineer. The effects to existing farmland and resources shall be evaluated in light of the economic development evaluation. A plan shall be developed with the assistance of relevant experts and stakeholders and the plan shall outline action items required to grow and develop the biofuel sector. NMDA shall submit the plan to the Green Jobs Cabinet and the Governor by December 1, 2010.

b. NMDA shall appoint and facilitate a sustainable agricultural development working group. Such working group shall include but not be limited to entities such as the New Mexico State University Small Farms Group, Farmers’ Markets, New Mexico Organic Association and other entities deemed appropriate by NMDA, including agricultural industry experts and urban agriculture proponents. Working group meetings will be held as necessary to develop the plan and report. The working group shall consider the economics of agriculturally produced biofuels, organic farming, and sustainable agriculture. The plan shall identify opportunities for New Mexico farmers in the aforementioned areas and a strategy will be designed to support growth in these agricultural sectors. The plan shall also develop local and state food systems that can enhance the market for New Mexico agricultural products locally and for export. The working group shall submit the report to the GJC and the Governor by June 1, 2010.

6. Department of Workforce Solutions (“DWS”): DWS shall implement and abide by the following directives:

a. DWS shall convene the Green Industry Council (“Council”), as constituted in New Mexico’s State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant proposal and with any additional Council Members deemed necessary by the Chair of the Council, two or more times by December 1, 2010. The Council shall assist in identifying: demand for particular green occupations; recognized industry-wide green standards for worker knowledge, skills and abilities; potential educational partnerships with industry; and other programs, opportunities and incentives available to advance green workforce development in New Mexico. EDD, Public Education Department (“PED”) and Higher Education Department (“HED”) shall participate in the Council with PED and HED working to ensure alignment of K-12 and higher education with industry requirements to prepare an educated green workforce. DWS shall submit a report to the GJC and the Governor on the Council’s findings no later than December 15, 2010.

b. DWS shall, with the support of EDD, convene a stakeholder meeting to discuss New Mexico Entrepreneurship in the Green Economy. DWS shall ensure that the stakeholders include PED and HED, university and college officials, K-12 educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, venture capitalists and interested businesses. DWS shall subsequently prepare a coordinated Statewide action plan for submission to the GJC and the Governor no later than December 15, 2010. The plan shall address the role of entrepreneurial workforce and technology maturation skills development, opportunities for incorporating entrepreneurial education into the state career technical standards and curriculum frameworks and college coursework, and strategies for developing, supporting and retaining entrepreneurial talent in New Mexico as a driver of job creation and economic development.

IV. Agency Support: All state agencies shall assist, as appropriate, in implementing this Order and fulfilling its purpose. The actions mandated as a result of this Executive Order shall be accomplished within the bounds of, and consistent with, the relevant agency’s statutory and regulatory authority.
V. Lead Coordinator: The Governor’s Energy & Environmental Policy Advisor shall be the Lead Coordinator and in this capacity shall serve as the central point of contact for implementation of this Order, shall be authorized to obtain periodic progress reports from agencies regarding their compliance with this Order, and shall be authorized to give directives to agencies to ensure implementation of this Order.

VI. Role of Committees and Working Groups: The committees and working groups established by this Executive Order shall be advisory bodies that make recommendations to the Green Jobs Cabinet and Governor and in no event shall make final decisions regarding policy.

VII. Public Support: Public members of the committees and working groups established by this Executive Order shall serve voluntarily and shall receive no pay for their services, nor shall they be reimbursed for travel or subsistence expenses, unless otherwise provided by law.

VIII. Disclaimer: Nothing in this Executive Order is intended to create a private right of action to enforce any provision of this Order or to mandate the undertaking of any particular action pursuant to this Order; nor is this Order intended to diminish or expand any existing legal rights or remedies.

THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until such time as the Governor rescinds it.

ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS
12TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2010

MARY HERRERA WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SECRETARY OF STATE SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

BILL RICHARDSON
GOVERNOR

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