New Mexico considering voluntary energy reduction programUtilities in New Mexico may soon be able to participate in a voluntary emissions reduction program that has been slated for consideration by the state regulatory commission. The proposal was submitted by Western Resource Advocates and has the support of 33 environmental groups. The proposal seeks to encourage utilities in the state to commit to reducing energy usage by 3 percent a year beginning in 2014. The same proposal was rejected earlier this year by New Mexico's environmental improvement board, and it's unclear if the proposal and it's regulation of emissions would fall within the jurisdiction of state utility regulators. Despite that uncertainty, regulators will gather on October 4 to discuss any potential merits of the plan. "It's going to be something that the commission at least wants to take a look at," Arthur Bishop, Public Information Officer for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, told FierceEnergy. The initial hearing will be held after the commission's regularly scheduled meeting and will likely be available to be streamed live from the web, Bishop said. For more: |