The right merger

For decades, I’ve worked diligently to improve and advance critical renewable sources of electricity in New Mexico and around the globe. As U.S. secretary of energy and as governor of the great state of New Mexico, I have collaborated with leaders from around the world seeking solutions to the greatest energy challenges of our lifetime. At the center of any meaningful discussion regarding advanced technology for the generation and deployment of electrical energy, you will find the leadership of Avangrid and parent company Iberdrola.

The Iberdrola/Avangrid leadership team continues to provide energy solutions with unmatched world-class engineering for power generation, electrical transmission and advanced grid technology. They have earned the respect for their accomplishments from leaders in the communities in which they operate and around the world.

New Mexicans finds ourselves at the apex of our energy future. I commend our governor and legislators for their continued leadership to meet the demands of a carbon-free environment, but they cannot accomplish this alone. New Mexico’s leaders must demonstrate the foresight to stand and decisively seize the opportunity to advance our partnership with one of the most preeminent and proven energy companies in the world — Avangrid.

I am concerned that by searching for an obscure and somewhat unusual rationale for opposing the merger instead of focusing on the greater good and opportunities for our state, we will instead be looking back and debating the reasons on why the world is passing us by. New Mexico needs and deserves good-paying union jobs in the green energy industry. It is imperative that the Public Regulation Commission chooses what’s best for New Mexico and for our energy, economic and environmental future. I urge commissioners to do the right thing and approve this merger.

Bill Richardson Santa Fe