Meeting the Clean Power Plan in New Mexico

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for New Mexico to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency resource standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis indicates that this approach would diversify the electricity mix, reduce household electricity costs, and generate significant health and economic benefits.

• New Mexico's specific target under the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.1 million tons, or 24 percent below 2012 levels, by 2030.
• The proposed "Clean Path Case" would result in wind and solar power providing nearly 35 percent of New Mexico's total electricity generation by 2030, with energy efficiency savings reaching 11.4 percent of total electricity sales.
• Implementing the Clean Path Case is projected to stimulate over $2.7 billion in capital investments for renewable energy and $766 million in energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
• The Clean Path Case is expected to lower electricity bills for typical residential customers by 4.3 percent in 2030 compared to a Reference Case, saving approximately $33 annually.
• New Mexico could generate an average of $115 million in annual revenue between 2022 and 2030 by auctioning carbon allowances within an interstate emissions trading program.
• The cumulative health and economic benefits from reducing CO2, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) under the Clean Path Case are valued at $223 million through 2030.
• New Mexico's power sector is transitioning away from coal, with three generators at the Four Corners Generating Station closing in 2013 and two at the San Juan Generating Station expected to retire in 2017.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2016). Meeting the Clean Power Plan in New Mexico. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/03/clean-power-plan-new-mexico.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Meeting the Clean Power Plan in New Mexico. 2016. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/03/clean-power-plan-new-mexico.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Meeting the Clean Power Plan in New Mexico |date=March 2016 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/03/clean-power-plan-new-mexico.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2016meeting, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Meeting the Clean Power Plan in New Mexico}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/03/clean-power-plan-new-mexico.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }