May 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Albuquerque Journal, N.M.

Gov. Bill Richardson is inviting entrepreneurs to submit applications for the Clean Energy Projects program, and the Energy Innovation Fund.

Earlier this year, the governor proposed and the Legislature funded a combined $3.5 million in capital equipment funds.

"The Energy Innovation Fund and Clean Energy Projects program will accelerate the innovation and adoption of clean energy technologies in our state," Richardson said in a news release. "I'm calling on our clean energy entrepreneurs and innovators to put forward their ideas."

The Clean Energy Projects program provides competitive grants to public entities for "clean energy" projects, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleanburning transportation fuels.

The Energy Innovation Fund seeks projects that will accelerate the development of innovation to enable faster commercial adaptation of clean energy technologies in New Mexico.

Requests for proposals for the Clean Energy Projects program and the Energy Innovation Fund can be found at www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ecmd/ rfps/rfps.htm.

For additional information, contact Thomas Bowles at (505) 476-2244.