{"id":99380,"date":"2022-07-21T10:10:56","date_gmt":"2022-07-21T14:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/?p=99380"},"modified":"2022-07-21T10:10:56","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T14:10:56","slug":"new-mexico-hard-fought-community-solar-legislation-now-in-jeopardy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2022\/07\/new-mexico-hard-fought-community-solar-legislation-now-in-jeopardy\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico’s hard-fought community solar legislation now in jeopardy"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a thoroughly vetted and agreed upon stakeholder process lasting more than one year<\/a> to launch a community solar program in the state, Southwestern Public Service Company has filed an appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court of the Public Regulation Commission\u2019s (PRC) orders adopting a final rule for the program. In addition, SPS just filed with the PRC a Motion to Stay the implementation of the final rule pending the resolution of SPS\u2019s appeal to the Supreme Court, an effort that could potentially stall the community solar program for years.<\/p>\n

The Community Solar Act passed<\/a> in the 2021 Legislative Session, and customers, cities, and landowners have long awaited the completion of the rulemaking process by the PRC. The act includes a carve-out of 30% of capacity per project dedicated to low-income customers and service organizations.<\/p>\n

SPS’ last-ditch moves come after the PRC held an open and transparent years-long stakeholder process that was based on a clear mandate passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and included participation from organizations and businesses across the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a moment when New Mexicans need lower energy bills as fast as possible and the state needs jobs and economic growth, Xcel Energy \u2014 through its subsidiary SPS \u2014 is trying every trick in the book to thwart the community solar program and deny us the opportunity to experience the economic and environmental benefits of a community solar program,\u201d said Mayane Barudin, Interior West Senior Regulatory Director with Vote Solar.<\/p>\n

Xcel and SPS have publicly expressed a deep commitment to energy equality and a carbon-free future, yet are trying to kill a program that would provide local, clean energy to thousands of lower-income residents and would only account for 1.6% of its annual retail sales.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite years of stakeholder engagement to arrive at the rules published on July 12, SPS is drawing from its bottomless supply of ratepayer money to tangle this program in legal delays and ultimately kill it. Make no mistake about it: this utility\u2019s actions will hurt the most vulnerable New Mexicans who stand to benefit most significantly as subscribers,\u201d said Beth Beloff, director of the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico.<\/p>\n

The community solar program rulemaking process has been lengthy and robust with many opportunities for stakeholder involvement and feedback, including:<\/p>\n