Representatives from statewide economic development organizations joined a virtual panel to discuss how local communities have harnessed the power of wind and solar to create jobs, support farmers and ranchers, and stimulate the economy. Officials discussed best practices and how the state’s geography, clean energy goals, and forward-looking policies on transmission have positioned New Mexico as a leader in the energy transition. Joining the event were business chambers of commerce, environmental nonprofits, and journalists.
A recording of the event can be found here.
Moderator:
Panelists:
Working in collaboration with AWEA and Interwest, on August 12, 2020 the ARA Jobs Tour delivered a virtual panel discussion to highlight New Mexico’s leadership on clean energy issues. The event emphasized state policymakers’ efforts to harness the power of renewable energy to create jobs, support farmers and ranchers, and stimulate the local economy. Elected officials and business leaders discussed the implementation of New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act, which will ensure 100% of New Mexico’s electricity generation will come from renewable sources by 2045 and will require massive investment in generation and transmission. Panelists were joined by media, academia, business groups, economic development officials, local officials and rural energy groups, with over 60 total attendees joining the event.
Host and Panelists:
The Jobs Tour gathered influential New Mexico lawmakers and agency officials with wind and solar companies and industry representatives, labor groups, and environmental allies for small group conversations highlighting the impact of renewable energy in New Mexico and the economic and clean energy benefits of expanding transmission in the state.
Check out this fact sheet to learn more about how New Mexico is becoming a clean energy powerhouse.
Pattern Development joined State Senator Pat Woods; New Mexico Secretary of Energy, Minerals, & Natural Resources Ken McQueen; Curry County Commissioner Robert Thornton; CRELA Board Member Paul Stout, and Clovis Industrial Development Corporation Economic Development Director Chase Gentry to recognize the job creation and other economic benefits of the state’s growing wind energy industry as construction mobilizes around the Grady Wind project, a 221-megawatt (MW) project located in Curry County.
American wind power closed 2017 strong, attracting new jobs and private investment to farm and factory towns across the nation. The American Wind Energy Association recognized New Mexico’s growing leadership in wind power by releasing their 2017 U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report on April 17 in Santa Fe. New Mexico is a rising star for wind farm and transmission infrastructure development. The state has seen the benefits wind power can bring firsthand, including new jobs, stronger rural communities, and economic diversification.
