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The Line: Supreme Court Rules on PRC Authority and Energy Transition Act

October 11, 2019 – The New Mexico Supreme Court this week weighed in on a power struggle over the state’s energy future. The Energy Transition Act was approved by lawmakers and signed by Governor Lujan Grisham earlier this year. It paves the way for utility company, PNM, to recover the costs of shutting down the coal-fired San Juan Generating station in the Four Corners. It also sets out aggressive renewable energy standards, but does all of this outside of the state regulators that are the PRC Commissioners. The Supreme Court ruling this week reaffirmed the PRC’s authority in this case, paving the way for more potential conflicts and confusion. Host Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists look at the court’s decision and how it may affect the state’s plans moving forward.

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, former NM state representative
Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, The Santa Fe New Mexican
Andy Lyman, reporter, NM political report
Sophie Martin, attorney

For Further Reading:

The PRC is Back in ChargeThe Santa Fe Reporter

Court Leaves Regulators to Hash Out Coal Plant Closure – U.S. News and World Report

Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Constitutionality of ETANM Political Report