Commentary: Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, Gov. Martinez vetoed State Facility Renewable Energy Use (SB 227, Steinborn), a bill Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) supported during the 2017 legislative session and mobilized members to urge Governor Martinez to sign the bill before the April 7 deadline. State Facility Renewable Energy Use required that the government solicit proposals to power 700 state buildings with renewable energy, provided that the proposals show a net utility cost savings and have no up-front capital investments. In response, CVNM Legislative Director Ben Shelton released the following statement:
“The Governor vetoed the bill citing a concern that was addressed in the legislature when the bill was passed. State Facility Renewable Energy Use would have saved New Mexican tax payers significant amounts of money in energy savings and health costs incurred by burning fossil fuels. It’s reckless for Gov. Martinez to avoid a common sense savings measure – especially in these difficult financial times – to make a political statement against renewable energy sources.
Investing in renewable energy is a win-win for our state by playing to our strengths – plentiful, renewable solar and wind resources – and putting hardworking New Mexican first by creating homegrown jobs.”