NM report says transmission key to renewable power

This is an issue to keep an eye on:

Washington Post

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN

The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 2, 2009; 10:11 AM

"SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has huge potential to produce electricity from renewable sources but a small window to develop transmission lines to deliver that power to customers, a lawmaker said Tuesday after listening to a report on the issue.

The state Renewable Energy Transmission Authority presented its first statewide transmission report to an interim legislative committee. It covers everything from existing transmission lines, barriers to building additional lines and hot spots for electricity generation using wind, solar radiation and geothermal sources.

"The issue is transmission. If we don't have any more transmission, there will be no more renewable projects in the state of New Mexico and that is critical for our future. It's a multibillion-dollar opportunity," said Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa.

The state will lose out to other states if it doesn't do something in the next three to four years, he said." More>>>>