New Mexico pushes wind power development

SANTA FE, N.M., Dec 08, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wants to develop more wind power in his state and market it to other states in the West.

Richardson is pushing wind power on the national level and in his state. He spoke to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week and unveiled a state plan Tuesday.

Richardson wants the Legislature to create a quasi-state agency to finance the development of wind power and the transmissions systems to make it marketable on a regional basis to states like California, Nevada and Arizona.

California leads the nation in installed wind power capacity, but 16 other states have more wind power potential, according to the American Wind Energy Association. New Mexico has two wind farms and plans to add two more next year.

Richardson said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed an interest in New Mexico wind power for his state.

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