A roadmap for a cleaner future

Decarbonization plan aims to reduce emissions

BY MEGAN GLEASON JOURNAL BUSINESS EDITOR

By 2050, New Mexico is required by law to have all electricity generated through carbon-free resources. But how the state gets to that point isn’t completely clear. So, to help specify what needs to happen, utility companies, energy advocacy organizations, state agencies and the city of Albuquerque teamed up to publish a decarbonization roadmap this month focused on residential and commercial buildings.

“By identifying drivers of pollution and implementing practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas we can build a cleaner and more resilient Albuquerque for generations to come,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement.

Residential and commercial buildings make up roughly 4% of greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico, according to the roadmap, and most building emissions come from space and water heating.

The plan, through the roadmap, to achieve decarbonization is by making energy-efficiency improvements and energy-use reductions, using electric appliances and supplying buildings with clean energy.

The 23-page document prioritizes five goals: Encourage the development of decarbonization technologies.

Increase customer value by adopting decarbonization measures.

Offer education and training for workers in the decarbonization field.

Incentivize greenhouse gas reductions through state policies.

Prepare the power grid and housing stock for future electrification.

The roadmap also includes recommended actions, laying out specific ideas and plans on how to achieve the goals. The document lists what type of action it is, like administrative or regulatory, and proposals for entities that can lead or support the efforts.

For example, increasing the customer value of adopting decarbonization measures could come through reduced upfront equipment costs or cash incentives available at the register, according to the roadmap. An administrative action like cash incentives, could be led by the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and aided by equipment manufacturers, distributors and vendors.

Tom Solomon, co-coordinator of 350 New Mexico, one of the organizations that helped compile the roadmap, described the plan as an important step toward “a just and sustainable future.”

“350 New Mexico applauds the release of this building decarbonization roadmap, as buildings are a significant source of both climate emissions and avoidable indoor pollution from burning natural gas,” he told the Journal. “New Mexicans who want to electrify and weatherize their homes and businesses will find the point of sale rebates and on-bill financing especially useful in slashing their energy bills and making their homes healthier.”

The full report can be found online at buildingdecarb. org/new-mexico- building-decarbonization- roadmap.