New Mexico Moves to Boost Clean Energy as Coal Plant Closes

New Mexico utilities must produce 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 under a sweeping energy bill that passed the state Legislature March 12 and is expected to be signed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Senate Bill 489 would first set the standard that utilities produce half of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040. The renewable provisions are part of a larger package dubbed the Energy Transition Act that also outlines how the state’s largest electric provider will shut down a coal plant in the northern part of the state.

The ...