Haaland to Lower Utility Costs by Going All in on New Mexico Renewable Energy

Albuquerque, N.M. – Deb Haaland, the Democratic nominee for governor in New Mexico, proposed bold solutions to go all in on New Mexico’s renewable energy opportunities.

Haaland’s plan leans into New Mexico’s robust renewable energy sources– 300 days of sun, incredible sources of wind, and geothermal pockets that can power communities– to bring down utility prices for New Mexicans and to strengthen the state’s role as a leader in American energy production. 

As data centers expand and extreme temperatures strain our energy grid, energy demand drives costs through the roof. Data centers can overwhelm our energy systems, pushing utility companies to push prices higher—at the expense of working families.

Haaland’s affordability agenda includes bold solutions to: 

• Make New Mexico energy independent by committing investments into renewable energy projects and workforce development. 
• Work with clean energy companies, universities, and unions to train skilled workers from the fossil fuel industry and impacted communities to transition to high-paying clean energy jobs.
• Require high-energy-demand industries and companies to build their own energy infrastructure to ensure higher energy costs don’t pass to consumers and local communities, and stabilize local power grids by adding battery storage capabilities. 
• Expand community solar programs.
• Explore high-tech solutions to alleviate stress on the energy grid during high-demand periods and in communities experiencing extreme heat or cold. 

As Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Haaland brought people

together to put shovels in the ground on projects like SunZia – the largest renewable energy project in the western hemisphere. The project is bringing over 900 wind turbines to central New Mexico and is expected to power over one million homes across the Southwest. Beyond that, it is creating thousands of good union construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs in a rural community that has long been ignored. Haaland’s affordability plan works to address and prevent rising costs and burdens – by investing in renewable energy, by putting energy requirements on data centers, and by holding utilities accountable.