Measure Promotes Use of Renewable Energy

Proposal Includes Incentives, Rebates

The city of Albuquerque would develop incentives and take other action to encourage development of renewable energy sources under a measure sponsored by Councilor Eric Griego.

Griego plans to introduce the proposal at Monday’s meeting of the City Council. It would be up for discussion in mid-August.

The resolution calls for a variety of measures to promote wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, including:

* Studying how to establish tax credits and incentives for companies that make solar-energy products and technology. The city would eventually establish a fund of $1 million to pay for the incentives;

* Taking steps to equip city-owned buildings with the ability to use solar energy. The goal would be to secure 15 percent of the power for city-owned buildings from renewable sources within seven years;

* Developing a rebate program that would encourage city residents to use renewable energy, such as solar panels;

* Revising development rules to come up with incentives for energy efficiency in new homes.

Griego announced the proposal Friday under a solar-panel structure at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th NW.

“We can take New Mexico to a whole new level in leading the world in renewable energy,” he said.

Councilor Martin Heinrich, who was also at the news conference, said wind and sunshine could help create high-paying jobs.

“We have a city uniquely suited to be at the forefront of energy products,” he said.

Odes Armijo-Caster, chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Association, also spoke in support of the bill. He said that in the 1980s, Albuquerque was considered a leader in the solar-power field.