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States Work To Meet Renewable Energy Standards

A renewable energy power plant has started generating electricity in northwest New Mexico. It uses wind to create power for PNM one of New Mexico’s largest utilities.

The plant is called the Red Mesa Wind Energy Center. It uses dozens of giant turbines located in a remote near the four corners part of New Mexico to create electricity for PNM customers.

Published media reports say PNM is among dozens of utilities in western states complying with higher renewable energy standards, reducing reliance on coal and other fossil fuels.

Energy experts say almost 30 states, including Arizona, are adopting renewable energy standards to meet federal and state mandates.

With the start of 2015, New Mexico has increased its use of renewable energy technology by 5 percent over last year. 

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.