Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Sustainable Economy Advisory Council met last week at Mesalands Community College at the North American Wind Research and Training Center to talk about the future of wind energy in the state.
The council was established in 2021 by New Mexico House Senate Bill 112, which mandates the state’s Economic Development Department to develop a strategic plan to diversify New Mexico’s economy beyond dependence on fossil fuels.
The bill also established an inter-agency task force, the Sustainable Economy Task Force and the council to guide the development of the strategic plan over five years.
The meeting at Mesalands was only the third in-person meeting by Sustainable Economy Advisory Council. It had been meeting virtually since the pandemic.
The 14-member council is led by James Povijua, one of six representatives appointed by Economic Development, including representatives of disproportionately affected communities, local government, business and industry and organizations experienced in sustainable economic development.
Eight members of the committee are appointed by the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department and include representatives of tribal governments.
Administrative support for the public body is provided by the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office at NMEDD, led by Shani Harvie as designated chair of the Sustainable Economy Task Force.
The meeting last Tuesday focused on the buildout of New Mexico’s wind power industry and workforce development.
Andy Swapp, director of renewable and sustainable technology at Mesalands, gave a tour of the facility for attendees before the meeting.
William Consuegra of Invernegy gave a presentation about the North Path project that includes a wind farm being built near Clayton and transmission lines to carry its energy to the Four Corners area.
Rick Robertson of Arcosa Wind Towers spoke about the new wind tower manufacturing plant scheduled to open in Belén next year.
Raquel Gomez, special projects coordinator of the Office of the Secretary, Department of Workforce Solutions, shared information on current and projected workforce in New Mexico’s wind industry.
She said over the next 10 years, wind technician will be the second-fastest growth occupation in the country.
Swapp shared some history of the college’s wind training program and upgrades needed for its turbine and facilities as well as support for outreach and recruitment.
Gabriel Pacyniak of the University of New Mexico Law Clinic spoke about efforts of a team that includes staff from Single Space Strategies, the Center for Civic Policy, Mesalands and Quay County that have attempted to secure federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to support the college’s wind-training center. Pacyniak urged the New Mexico Legislature to support this program.
Other attendees included Quay County manager Daniel Zamora; Tim Hagaman, regional representative of the Northeast Front Range, Community, Business and Rural Development Team; and Jennifer Myers, state lead for the Community, Business and Rural Development Team.
The council will develop policy recommendations to state agencies via SET Force and legislators. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. The public is welcome to join these meetings virtually. Information can be found at edd.newmexico.gov/about-us/setf/.