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Clean-Energy Grants Named; State Gives $2M To 21 Programs

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By ROSALIE RAYBURN Journal Staff Writer

The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department has approved a total of $2 million in grants to 21 organizations statewide that applied for funding from the Clean Energy Program.

Louise Martinez, the department's bureau chief for energy efficiency programs, said the department received more than 50 applications seeking a total of more than $7 million.

"Competition was really intense this year," Martinez said.

In 2004, state legislators appropriated $1 million for grants to help education institutions and community organizations reduce the amount of fossil fuel energy they consume or produce energy from renewable solar, wind, biomass or geothermal sources.

This year they doubled the amount to $2 million, Martinez said.

The department sent letters to the organizations on Tuesday informing them of the grant awards.

Among the grant recipients are:

Albuquerque TVI, $197,000 to retrofit three of its buildings with energy-efficient lighting systems.

University of New Mexico, $198,000 to install a solar heating system in its mechanical engineering building.

Santa Fe Municipal Solid Waste Agency, $100,000 to turn waste into a gas that can be used to produce electricity.

Martinez said she expects the organizations will begin work on their projects in January.

Source: Albuquerque Journal

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