To: Pat Vincent-Collawn, CEO and President, Ron Darnell, Senior VP, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Coal Hurts - Transition to Renewables

Change is needed. Long-term energy, economic, and health solutions must shift energy production from coal plants to clean technologies. We know that reducing energy consumption and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy are essential steps to a healthy and economically sustainable New Mexico.

Why is this important?

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is the largest electric monopoly utility in New Mexico and supplies 60% of its energy needs by the combustion of coal, with adverse affects to our economy, environment and health. Its coal-fired plant releases more than 8.5 million tons of CO2 into the air annually. Commissioned in 1973, this 1800 mega-watt coal plant is one of the dirtiest coal plants in the west and is responsible for smog at 22 national parks and wilderness areas in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah. It is one of America’s largest single sources of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, particulate matter, and other toxins.

Now is the time to switch from coal to renewables.