New Mexico making massive investments in clean energy
The Department of Energy and multiple lawmakers say New Mexico is on the cusp of leading the way in solar manufacturing, which is why more jobs are coming to the state.
The Department of Energy and multiple lawmakers say New Mexico is on the cusp of leading the way in solar manufacturing, which is why more jobs are coming to the state.
The Department of Energy and multiple lawmakers say New Mexico is on the cusp of leading the way in solar manufacturing, which is why more jobs are coming to the state.
Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, joined Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on a trip to New Mexico, touring the state's growing sustainable energy industry.
"I mean, it's been amazing. To see how big we have grown and coming to where we are at now," Roman Romero said.
Two companies are catching their eyes. Action 7 News was at solar manufacturing company, Array Technologies, breaking ground on a $50 million expansion. Mayor Tim Keller says it's expanding to create more than 300 new jobs — partly using tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
"The Inflation Reduction Act has all sorts of programs that are allowing this industry to expand right here in New Mexico," Keller said.
Array talked about what type of work people are getting done here at the facility. It's a piece of New Mexico Heinrich believes can only get bigger over time.
"They are able to expand this facility again, actually create a brand new facility, with twice as many workers and way more output," Heinrich said.
Array is not the only place looking to add clean energy jobs in the state.
The Inflation Reduction Act has allowed companies like Arcosa to develop wind towers like in Belen. Eventually, once they are fully assembled, they will be installed across the entire state of New Mexico. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says this is all part of a goal to add clean energy jobs around the U.S. She and others say New Mexico is quickly growing to become an epicenter for this industry.
"Part of that is due to this expansion of manufacturing across the country as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Chips & Science Act," Granholm said.