Some New Mexico leaders warn mega bill could be disastrous for renewable energy industry
'This bill goes against everything New Mexicans stand for. It's not honest, it's not caring, and it's not fair,' said Senator Ben Ray Luján, (D-NM).
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Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich both voted against the bill. Heinrich said in a statement, in part, 'This bill will hike electricity bills, leave tens of millions uninsured, cut food assistance for millions more, shutter hundreds of nursing homes, force rural hospitals to close, and send health insurance premiums soaring.'
But the Republican Party of New Mexico argues New Mexicans will benefit. 'This will stop the runaway spending that the government does,' said Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.
The bill has New Mexico company Affordable Solar on edge. 'It's a scary time in the renewable energy space,' said Neil Wenderoth, Sales Manager for Affordable Solar.
The Senate made a last-minute change before passing the bill that removed a new tax on wind and solar energy projects. The bill would still phase out wind and solar tax credits for clean energy development, but on a slower timeline than originally proposed. 'It's a time where there should be more investment in all sectors of energy, and I think it's very short-sighted that we're cutting out incentives,' said Wenderoth.
Wenderoth anticipates the market decreasing by more than 80%, calling it a death sentence for the solar industry. 'Jobs are lost, people are not getting energy independence, less solar and wind are going into place,' said Wenderoth.
Barela argues that the bill would help New Mexico's oil and gas industry by expanding development on federal lands. 'So it makes America less dependent on foreign countries to provide us with everything. It strengthens us with oil and gas,' said Barela.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement, in part, 'This bill is a disastrous, deficit-exploding gift to the ultra-wealthy made possible by gutting health care and food programs that millions of Americans rely on.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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