Annual Report 3 - New Mexico - Energy, Minerals and Natural ...

more energy dollars in our state thereby making more money available for local businesses. Incentives to energy
efficient homebuilders and homebuyers have created a demand for green homes, even in this economic downturn.
In addition to helping the building industry in difficult times, again, the dollars saved from all the energy savings go
back into the local communities. At the end of the day, energy efficiency and conservation projects are providing jobs
throughout New Mexico and building owners reap the ongoing benefits of lower utility bills.
The Clean Fuels and Efficient Transportation Program supports projects such as ridesharing/carpooling, parkand-ride,
and vehicles and infrastructure for use of clean-burning fuels such as New Mexico-produced compressed
natural gas (CNG), propane, ethanol, and biodiesel to help New Mexicans save money and reduce our dependence
on imported fossil fuels.
Transportation is the second largest energy use sector and a major source of air pollution in New Mexico. To
address these concerns, ECMD facilitates compliance with state and federal mandates for acquisition of alternative
and fuel efficient vehicles. For state government, policies that promote fuel conservation, teleconferencing,
carpooling, and fuel efficiency have resulted in a 48 percent reduction in fuel use by executive branch agencies over a
five-year period, from an annual 322 gallons per employee to an annual 167 gallons per employee in 2010.
This program assists and encourages the development of infrastructure for use of cleaner-burning fuels such as
CNG which will benefit New Mexico by increasing severance tax revenues and helping create jobs in natural gas
production and CNG vehicle maintenance and repair.
Other important accomplishments include the division’s help in enacting a hybrid-electric vehicles excise tax
exemption that saved New Mexicans $600 to $900 on the purchase of gasoline-electric hybrids. Before its expiration
in 2009, this incentive was instrumental in the sales of hundreds of hybrid vehicles. ECMD also facilitated the
installation of the nation’s first multiple biofuels station in Santa Fe.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) programs funded by the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) and managed by ECMD are in full swing. All of these programs, State Energy Program, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate, and Energy Assurance and Smart
Grid Resiliency Planning will help our state increase energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. These
programs reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, businesses, and government (saving taxpayer
dollars); reduce reliance on imported energy; improve the reliability of electricity and fuel supplies and the delivery
of energy services; and reduce the impact on the environment of energy production and usage. The results are long-
ANNUAL REPORT 2010
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