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The key is that PNM is attempting to balance the EPA requirements while maintaining reliability and affordability for New Mexico users. The enviros want PNM to jettison the 132 megawatts of power shed by other users and instead focus on renewables. PNM would pick up additional power from natural gas, Palo Verde nuclear in Arizona and solar. Of course the enviros will fight against the first two of those three.

BTW, take a look at the ACTUAL impact of renewables on world energy supplies (one comment was "why did you post a blank chart?" LOL!).

Renewable Energy Growth in Perspective

Simple solution:

Those who have no problems with coal powered generation can be billed the cost of electricity at a rate that is based upon the cost of using coal.

Those who hate coal and want no part of it can be billed the cost of electricity at a rate that is based upon the cost of using something other than coal (specifically “renewables” such solar.

PNM could actually do that. Of course the environmental wackos would fight that every step of the way.

“Renewable energy” is one of those fond hopes on a par with perpetual motion, or a Ponzi scheme applied to energy. It takes MORE energy from other sources, to assure there is an adequate and reliable supply, than shall ever be realized from the actual production from green sources alone. Unreliable, subject to steep set-up costs, and of uncertain service life, “renewable energy” is a phantom, never rising to the potential claimed for it.

Thorium-powered molten salt nuclear reactors, on the other hand, have the capability of fully replacing coal-fired plants, and also be able to provide a steady supply of base-line power, without having to cut in and cut out power flow from the “renewable” sources.

We know what the technological theory is, and we have the industrial capability to set these units up and running, in short order, should the permission be granted to go forward.

We had better be getting our ducks in a row. China is even now going forward with designs for just such a thorium-powered molten-salt reactor, and expects to have the first units online in about ten years.

The “renewable energy” programs should be phased out as quickly as they can be fully replaced with natural gas-fired turbine generation stations, which have the great advantage of being able to be spooled up in literally moments when heavy power demand peaks come, and just as quickly, be cut out of the grid when not needed.

Anyone know if there are any wind/solar installations ANYWHERE in the world that operate profitably without government subsidy?

(Yeah, I know: 'Google it', but I'd bet that almost every result that turns up will be pro-envirowacko propaganda extolling the virtues of 'green' energy. I'd be interested if anyone 'in the know' would have a better take on the topic.)

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