Regina Wheeler
Chief Executive Officer Positive Solar Energy
Times have changed since solar and wind power first became available. Across the country, the cost of coal is going up, and the price of clean energy – like wind and solar – is coming down. Employment trends are changing, too. Today, more workers are employed in the clean energy industry than in coal mining nationwide. Since 2012, New Mexico’s solar industry has added nearly 1,000 new jobs. Almost 2,000 New Mexicans now work in our state’s growing solar economy.
As owner of a local solar company, I’ve seen the remarkable transition to clean energy take root in our region. Solar electricity costs less than grid energy, and home and business owners are taking advantage of the opportunity to fix their energy costs for the long run. We’ve added 30 employees in the past year to keep up with demand. It is a really exciting time.
In our region and throughout the United States, communities are moving away from dirty, expensive coal and toward the growing clean energy industry. These trends are why I was so shocked to learn that instead of investing in new technologies and growing industries, PNM and Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities propose to double down on dirty coal and lock ratepayers into a future of expensive, outdated coal-fired power.
PNM and Los Alamos DPU are currently considering the purchase of the San Juan coal mine in order to ensure San Juan Generating Station continues to burn coal for years to come. This proposal would prolong the life of one of our area’s worst public health threats and lock ratepayers into huge risk. Just like you wouldn’t sink more money into an old, beat-up clunker car, we shouldn’t allow our electric utilities to sink our money into a plummeting investment like coal. As the cost of coal continues to skyrocket and mines continue to shutter, our community deserves better than to be locked into a future that relies on dirty, unhealthy and expensive coal-fired power.
Here in New Mexico, we’ve seen the benefits of increased investment in renewable energy: cleaner air and water for our communities, more jobs and economic opportunities for working families, and huge savings for homeowners and small businesses.
Look at some of our neighboring states and you’ll see the same thing. In Colorado, Xcel Energy – one of our nation’s five largest utilities – will soon get nearly 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources. Colorado’s investment in renewable energy has propelled it to a top ten ranking for solar jobs in the country. In Texas, Austin Energy announced earlier this year that it is now buying solar power at less than half the price of coal, lowering electricity prices for all Austin consumers.
Clean energy is powering more and more of our state and creating more and more jobs. Rather than investing inexpensive, dangerous coal, we all need to encourage PNM and Los Alamos County to embrace a future powered by clean, renewable energy.
By Regina Wheeler, Positive Energy Solar CEO. Regina is committed to building successful business models in New Mexico that conform to the triple bottom line philosophy of “people, planet and profits.” Wheeler joined Positive Energy Solar in 2011 after transforming environmental services for both Los Alamos County and the City of Santa Fe. She works tirelessly with green business coalitions in New Mexico to create a culture of sustainability and economic vitality. Positive Energy Solar is a 2014 Solar Power World Top 400 Contractor.