All Aboard … An Energy Board
by Chuck Ring
Councilor John Abrams was elected to the Edgewood Town Council in March of this year (2008) and he hit the proverbial ground at a high run seeking to put Edgewood on the map as one of the first, if not the first town to have its own renewable energy system/department. Working with Ms. Mahalick, Edgewood Planning and Zoning Director, Councilor Abrams sought a grant for financing the beginning of a study for the feasibility of such an endeavor. Councilor Abrams asked Mayor Stearley to appoint a board to pursue the energy project, so the town could be assured of prioritizing steps to bring the project to fruition.
The initial request was not fulfilled by the mayor and the request was made again by Councilor Abrams within the last two months. Councilor Abrams was not present for the last council meeting due to illness, but a citizen spoke to the mayor and the remaining council members during the public comment portion of the meeting to ask that Councilor Abrams’ request be honored. During the same meeting it was announced that a renewable energy grant applied for by Edgewood through the State of New Mexico had been denied due to a plethora of applicants and scant grant resources in total.
It would seem that there is no good reason not to appoint the committee requested by Councilor Abrams and a potential time and monetary gain to be realized if we start the process without undue delay. The sun and wind may not see a price increase, but many of the required materials and supplies will see substantial increases as we reflect (solar) and spin (wind).
Here’s a link to information from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission PRC Renewable Energy Information