Vision Trust
New Mexico
Clean Energy Update
News Programs for New Mexico Public Radio
  

Home About the Reports Radio Series (2010)
Listen or Download Radio Series (2008)
Listen or Download Radio Series (2007)
Listen or Download The Producers Contact Us

The New Mexico Clean Energy Update offers the following reports in MP3 streaming and download.

Report Series Three – Produced January through June 2010 (each report is 5 minutes)

real cost

1. The Real Cost of Energy

Renewable energy is often dismissed as being too costly when compared to cheaper prices for conventional fossil fuel energy. But in the long run, are there costs for the production and use of conventional energy that are not included in the price? This report looks at the cost structure of energy to see – what’s included and what is not. Features interviews with:

  • Arnie Baker, Chief Economist for Sandia National Laboratories and a past-president of the International Association for Energy Economics.
  • Mark Giorgetti, Managing Partner of AM Energy in Santa Fe.

2. Carbon Markets: Leveling the Playing Field for Renewable Energy

A difficult issue in building a clean energy economy is how to level the cost between more expensive renewable resources and cheaper fossil energy. This report examines carbon markets as one way to level the playing field. Features interviews with:

  • Arnie Baker, Chief Economist for Sandia National Laboratories and a past-president of the International Association for Energy Economics.
  • Mark Giorgetti, Managing Partner of AM Energy in Santa Fe.

3. Renewable Energy for New Mexicans - New Financing Options

Recent legislation--the Renewable Energy Financing District and the Solar Energy Improvement Special Assessment Acts allow New Mexicans to invest in solar, wind, and geothermal energy systems without a large initial capital outlay. See how this new financing method may work, and where it may be first used. Features interviews with:

  • Peter Wirth, New Mexico State Senator, District 25, Santa Fe
  • Kathy Holian, Commissioner, Santa Fe County
  • Brian Cassutt, Program Manager, Renewable Funding, Albuquerque, NM

4. New Mexico’s Clean Energy Economy--Governor Richardson’s Legacy

Most would agree that it takes vision, leadership and experience to grow something as
complex as a clean energy economy. In this report Governor Richardson, in an exclusive
interview, describes his impact on a clean energy economy in New Mexico. Features
interviews with:

  • Governor Bill Richardson
  • Peter Wirth, New Mexico State Senator, District 25, Santa Fe

5. Policy Tools for Developing a Clean Energy Economy

The development of a clean energy economy is a complex undertaking. New Mexico is one of only a handful of states that has made the commitment to move forward on clean energy policy. This report examines clean energy policy in New Mexico—how it’s made and who makes it. Features interviews with:

  • Jon Goldstein, Outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
  • Peter Wirth, New Mexico State Senator, District 25, Santa Fe

6. Pushing Renewables Mainstream: The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and the Public Regulation Commission

This report examines how New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Public Regulation Commission have provided a major boost to clean energy, and looks at a new battle over renewables that pits wind against solar. Features an interview with:

  • Jason Marks, Public Regulation Commissioner for District One

7. Jobs and the Clean Energy Economy

Job creation is a major goal for developing a clean energy economy. In this report we’ll look at what it takes to attract clean energy businesses that create green jobs in the state.
Features interviews with:

  • Brendan Miller, Green Economy Manager for the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
  • Tim Zenk, Vice President, Sapphire Energy

8. Clean Energy Policy: States Lead the Way

Effective energy policy is key to making the transition to a clean energy economy. But federal energy policy is often slow to react to urgent national or regional needs until a crisis spurs action. In this report we'll hear how New Mexico and other states have led the way for clean energy policy. Features:

  • Barack Obama, President of the United States
  • Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico
  • Jason Marks, Public Regulation Commissioner for District 1

9. Algal Biofuels—Green Crude in New Mexico

Biofuels derived from algae show great promise as substitutes for petroleum-based fuels. And, New Mexico has just the right mix of resources for growing algae for biofuels. In this report we’ll hear about the largest algal biofuel demonstration ever built—right here in New Mexico, near Deming. Features an interview with:

  • Tim Zenk, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Sapphire Energy

10. The Smart Electric Grid

What is the smart electric grid, and what can it do? In this report we’ll see how smart policy and a smart electric grid team up to save energy, and save consumers money. Features interviews with:

  • Jack McGowan, CEO of Energy Control Inc., Rio Rancho
  • Kurt Yeager, Executive Director of the Galvin Electricity Institute

11. Wind Energy Development – Benefits to Rural New Mexico

New Mexico ranks number 12 in the country for wind resource and over the past five years has seen enormous growth of wind-generated electricity. In this report we’ll learn how land owners and other New Mexicans are dealing with the growing wind energy industry. Features interviews with:

  • Susan Williams Sloan, Outreach Director for the American Wind Energy Association
  • Pat Lyons, State Land Commissioner
  • Jeremy Lewis, Clean Energy Specialist in wind energy for the New Mexico Energy Conservation and Management Division
  • Johanna Bruhn, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

12. New Mexico’s Geothermal Resource

In addition to solar and wind energy, New Mexico has an abundance of another clean energy resource—geothermal. This report examines New Mexico’s geothermal energy resource, what it is, where it can be found, and how it can be used. Features interviews with:

  • Jim Witcher, Witcher and Associates, Las Cruces
  • Stephen Lucero, Geothermal Energy Program Manager, New Mexico Energy Management and Conservation Division

13. Direct Use Geothermal Energy for Agriculture

Most of us are familiar with one form of geothermal energy, hot springs found right here in New Mexico. Did you know that hot water reservoirs that feed hot springs have been used to supply heat for agricultural operations for over two decades in New Mexico? In this report Alex Masson tells us how geothermal energy has saved him money and kept his greenhouse operations “green.” Features an interview with:

  • Alex Masson, President of Masson Farms, Radium Springs
  © Vision Trust, Inc. 2008 - 2010