[Lwvcnmtopics] Santa Fe Institute Full Report to the NM PRC

[George Richmond]

I contacted one of the Santa Fe Institute team that produced the report 
for the NM PRC.

Here is the link: 
https://www.santafe.edu/news-center/news/report-path-decarbonization



Mr. Blumstock had some comments as well which I will share:

this wasn’t a product for the PRC per se, but something that came out of 
a workshop we held in Santa Fe last February (before covid hit, if any 
of us can remember back that far).

In terms of things like technology costs, what we wanted to convey to 
the PRC was not an opinion on any specific investment plan but the idea 
that the PRC should be considering technology trends as it evaluates and 
approves utility investment decisions. The costs for wind, solar and 
energy storage are falling so fast and these investments are so 
long-lived that you need to think beyond what costs look like right now 
and consider what they might look like several years down the road.


My comment on his comment:
Note that SFI tries to consider technology trends as it evaluates and 
approves utility investment decisions.
As we know, the NM  PRC will become an agency with three appointed 
members as contrasted to the five elected members.  With technology 
being more important, the backgrounds/experience/knowledge of the PRC 
members has include some science/technology that can handle thinking 
more about how the electric utilities will have to be in the future.  To 
a certain extent, the staff of the PRC needs to change as well.
Stated differently, a better PRC and staff will cost more ...but will do 
a better job.
Right now, I feel the staff is very good, not all of the PRC members 
have the needed skills, but one of the less experienced members will 
leave at the end of December.

George Richmond

-- 
George M. Richmond
152 Juniper Hill Road, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122-1913

C: 505-280-2105
E: geomrich1 at comcast.net



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