New Mexico Senate Passes 100% Carbon-Free Electricity Target

New Mexico has joined the drumbeat of states pushing for a transition to clean electricity. The state Senate passed the Energy Transition Act (SB 489) late Wednesday night in a 32-9 vote. The ETA would impose a "zero carbon" electricity standard on public utilities by 2045. The bill also ramps up interim renewables targets, including 50 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040. For the bill to become law, the House has to approve it before the legislative session ends March 16. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has already said she supports it. Public Service Co. of New Mexico (PNM), the state's largest utility, also supports the measure.