BioFuels Journal

Las Cruces, NM—Congressman Harry Teague joined energy industry and academic leaders in the unveiling of the New Mexico State Plan For Biofuels Leadership.

The document, announced at the Re-Energize America Conference organized by New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Honorary Chairman Harry Teague, provides a step-by-step, comprehensive plan to bring green jobs to New Mexico.

“It is critical that we work efficiently as a state, and a nation, to end our dependence on foreign oil and make New Mexico the leader in biofuel and renewable energy production.

"Plain and simple, this plan gives our state the path to achieve that goal while creating much needed, competitive jobs” said Harry Teague, who brought the congressional delegation and Governor Richardson together to set the project in motion.

“This has been one of my top priorities while in Congress, working with great organizations across different disciplines to develop research and production programs that take full advantage of our state’s unique resources.

"This precise plan clearly shows that New Mexico is prepared to welcome and support sustainable energy initiatives and I look forward to the start of many new biofuel projects in the area.”

The plan outlines opportunities for the state to maximize its resources, increase area revenue and create thousands of jobs through renewable energy sources including algae, woody biomass and waste byproduct conversion.

It also includes goals for education, research and workforce development.

To read the full plan, please click here.

“No one was more enthused, more active or more effective than Congressman Teague in getting this done,” said Maria Zannes, Outreach Director for the Southwest Biofuels Association (SWBA), a key partner in the creation of the state plan.

“There are many experts who should be thanked for their impressive effort, but no one is more responsible for the jobs this effort will bring than Congressman Teague.”

The initiative began a year ago at the first Re-Energize America conference, when a group of representatives from the SWBA, Governor Richardson’s and Harry Teague’s office gathered to discuss creating a coordinated, strategic and intelligent biofuel production plan for the state.

With Teague’s efforts, the New Mexico congressional delegation and Governor Richardson convened an impressive workgroup to develop the plan.

The workgroup included experts across the industry and academic fields who met over fourth months, holding numerous meeting and inviting public comments through the process.

"Congressman Teague continues to be instrumental in development of a biofuels industry and the jobs it brings to New Mexico.

"His tireless work, and the hard work by the entire congressional delegation and Governor Richardson, means more New Mexicans will be employed, more clean energy will be produced, and our country will be safer and better prepared for the future," said Tim Zenk, SWBA Chairman and Executive Vice President of Sapphire Energy.

The New Mexico State Plan For Biofuels Leadership was unveiled during the second annual “Re-Energize America: Short-Term Plan for Long-Term Energy Independence” conference hosted by NMSU.

This year’s event brought together policy, industry and academic experts to discuss issues key to America's energy future.

The discussions focused on concrete, short term plans and actions that will help lead to long-term energy sustainability.

Topics included Federal Policy, Technology, State Policy, Land Owner, Community and Small Business, Incentives, Role of Oil and Gas in Future Energy Independence, Energy Efficiency, Nuclear Energy, and other issues related to a short-term plan for long-term energy independence.

Featured speakers included Matt Rogers, senior advisor to Energy Secretary Steven Chu for the Recovery Act; Jim Ford, vice president for federal government affairs at ConocoPhillips; and Jason Pyle, CEO of Sapphire Energy.

For more information, call 202-225-2365.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• NM State Plan for Biofuels Leadership

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