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SB 249: GEOTHERMAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES

An Act Relating To Utilities; Allowing Renewable Energy Certificates To Be Issued For The Use Of Thermal Energy Produced By Geothermal Energy Sources; Setting Standards For Measurement Of Thermal Energy And Geothermal Heat Pumps; Defining "useful Thermal Energy".

MILDSB 249GEOTHERMAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES

Legislative URL:
SB 249 on nmlegis.gov
Emergency Clause:
No
Germane:
N/A
Location:
Signed
Action:
[3] SCONC/SCORC-SCONC [9] DP/a-SCORC [27] DP [30] PASSED/S (41-1) [32] HEENC/HBEC-HEENC [36] DP-HBEC [44] DP [46] PASSED/H (66-0) SGND BY GOV (Apr. 7) Ch. 71.
Issue(s):

Companion Bills

Bills:
GEOTHERMAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES

Related Documents

Introduced
SCONC Committee Report
SCORC Committee Report
Final Senate Vote
HEENC Committee Report
HBEC Committee Report
Final House Vote
Fiscal Impact Report
Final Version
Summary

This bill allows renewable energy certificates to be issued for the use of thermal energy produced by geothermal energy sources, The kilowatt-hour value of thermal energy is set at 3,400 BTUs of useful thermal energy for purposes of compliance with the renewable portfolio standard.

“Useful thermal energy” is defined as “renewable energy delivered from a source that can be metered and that is delivered in the state to a commercial scale or public sector end user in the form of direct heat, steam or hot water or other thermal form that is used for heating, cooling, humidity control, process use or other valid end-use energy requirements and for which fossil fuel or electricity would otherwise be consumed.”

A possible benefit of this bill might be increased investment in renewable geothermal energy projects and that might lead to additional reductions in reliance on fossil fuels.