New Mexico's utility regulators have agreed to halt all coal-fired energy generation by 2031. The coal retirement plans are controversial, however, in the communities that operate the plants. The decision is the latest in a series of steps taken by state officials and utilities that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants. The energy generation capacity is likely to be replaced by a combination of solar power and natural gas, making PNM close to 70% emissions free by 2032, while allowing it to shift from expensive, fixed-cost coal schemes towards more load-flexible plans.
New Mexico's utility regulators have agreed to halt all coal-fired energy generation by 2031. The decision is the latest in a series of steps taken by state officials and utilities that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants. The energy generation capacity is likely to be replaced by a combination of solar power and natural gas, making PNM close to 70% emissions free by 2032, while allowing it to shift from expensive, fixed-cost coal schemes towards more load-flexible plans.