Rep. Wilson Urges Richardson to Resolve Issues over Biomass Plant
Wilson: “This renewable energy resource is good for New Mexico”
Albuquerque, N.M. – Rep Heather Wilson is again urging Governor Bill Richardson to resolve issues currently holding up the development of an Estancia Valley biomass plant. In a letter sent to Richardson this week, Wilson stated that she continues to be made aware of obstacles with the New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources which are jeopardizing the project.
“The most recent concern is the report submitted to the NM Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources done by “an independent group” known to oppose the biomass plant,” said Wilson.
Wilson is encouraging Richardson to work with Western Water and Power Production to resolve the issues because additional delays of the biomass project could jeopardize the company’s contract with PNM.
State law requires that New Mexico utilities must produce or purchase at least twenty percent of their customers’ electricity requirements from renewable energy resources by 2020. Ten percent of that renewable requirement must come from a non-wind, non-solar resource such as biomass.
PNM and Western Water and Power Production have signed a 20-year agreement to deliver renewable energy from this future 35-megawatt biomass power plant. The Torrance County Biomass Power Plant is expected to begin power deliveries in 2009. The project has plans to produce 150 construction jobs, 20-25 high paying long term power plant jobs, and an estimated 100 jobs related to local rangeland restoration and forest thinning waste removal.
“This facility is important for fulfilling our RPS requirement as well as serving customer demand, which is growing faster than the national average," said Pat Vincent, PNM Utilities President.
Wilson has written several letters this year to Governor Richardson, members of his Administration, and the Public Regulation Commission, in support of the project. The full text of the letter sent this week, is below.
The Honorable Bill Richardson
State Capitol Building, Room 400
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87510
Dear Governor Richardson,
I continue to become aware of obstacles that Western Water and Power Production LLC encounters with the New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. The most recent concern is the report submitted to the NM Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources done by “an independent group” known to oppose the biomass plant. The group continues to challenge whether Western Water and Power Production LLC can meet the renewable energy standards and availability of biomass needed for the plant project. It is my belief that information submitted by a third party should be evaluated based upon fact analysis. I understand that Western Water and Power Production LLC have submitted information to the State of New Mexico to support this alternative energy project.
I encourage you to work with Western Water and Power Production LLC to seek to resolve issues identified for the previous denial of the tax credits. Additional delays of the biomass project can jeopardize the contract Western Water Power Production LLC has with the Public Service Company of New Mexico.
This biomass plant is a renewable energy resource that is good for the Estancia Valley and New Mexico. I am hopeful that Western Water and Power Production LLC can receive the tax credits critical to financing the biomass plant for delivery of energy resource.
Heather Wilson
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