Kevin Robinson-Avila and Alaina Mencinger , Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
5 min read
Sep. 14—The state's first-ever comprehensive conference on "Building an Advanced Energy Ecosystem in New Mexico" opened Thursday morning at the Clyde Hotel in Downtown Albuquerque. It is bringing together scientists, researchers and energy industry representatives from across the state to discuss effective ways to decarbonize New Mexico's economy.
The two-day event, which includes presentations and panels discussions on a range of energy-related issues, plus keynote speeches by policymakers, aims to bring the local community together in a collaborative sharing of ideas and knowledge, according to the organizers.
But outside the hotel, a large group of activists gathered in protest, waving signs, chanting, rapping and performing slam poetry. The group marched from nearby Robinson Park to the hotel, with about 300 participants to start.
The protest — organized by Youth United for Climate Crisis Action, or YUCCA — showed stark differences between many local environment groups and conference organizers, with radically different philosophies on how to reduce the state's carbon emissions.
Conference presenters, for example, called for an "all-of-the-above" approach to decarbonization using a broad range of technologies to phase out fossil fuels and carbon emissions. But demonstrators questioned some of those technologies, such as carbon capture and sequestration, hydrogen production and nuclear power, calling instead for an all-renewable approach based on wind generation, solar power and battery storage.
YUCCA organizer Jonathan Juárez called carbon capture technology and hydrogen "false solutions" that only slow the transition to clean energy resources.
"Really what they are is a lifeline for the fossil fuel industry," Juárez told the Journal. "All they do is continue the reliance on fossil fuels at a time when we should be halting production and phasing out extraction."
It was a different atmosphere inside the conference, which included a broad swath of energy experts from the state's research universities, community colleges, the national labs, public agencies, and nonprofit institutions, plus industry representatives from both the renewable and fossil-fuel sectors. Policymakers are also participating, with Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich scheduled for a keynote address Friday regarding federal efforts to accelerate the country's transition to a clean-energy economy.
Panel discussions touch on everything from green hydrogen production, venture investment in emerging energy technology and nuclear power to transmission development and use of carbon capture and sequestration technology to control emissions.
State Rep. Meredith Dixon, D-Albuquerque, spearheaded efforts to organize the conference in collaboration with New Mexico Women Lead, a nonprofit that helped bring the state's scientists, academics and industry representatives together to participate.
Dixon, who kicked off the event with a welcome speech Thursday morning, said an annual energy conference in Boston that unites experts from around the world inspired her to launch a similar event in New Mexico, one focused on state-level issues.
"This conference is about sharing knowledge and bringing people together to develop an advanced energy ecosystem in New Mexico that works for everyone," Dixon told conference participants. "...This is not about winners and losers. There's room at the table for everyone."
During initial presentations, Dixon and other speakers stressed the need for an "all-of-the-above" approach to decarbonizing the economy.
"We must use every tool and technology available to us, including some that are not yet ready for deployment," Dixon said. "It's 'all of the above' and 'all hands on deck,' and New Mexico is uniquely positioned to research, develop and deploy those technologies."
During one breakout session, Economic Development Department Deputy Secretary Jon Clark announced the launch of a new pilot program this fall to award grants of between $250,000 and $1 million for New Mexico companies that have advanced technology to help make energy use cleaner, safer, and more reliable. The EDD has earmarked $800,000 for the initial pilot program and will seek funding from the state Legislature in the upcoming session for $6.7 million over two years.
Conference organizers, however, didn't invite any environmental organization to participate in panel discussions, reflecting the effort to maintain a "nonpartisan" focus, Dixon said.
"We want people to hear information about technology and how to build the ecosystem," Dixon told the Journal. "It's about hearing from experts that we have in the state. Environmental groups and others have an important role to play, but this is about the science, technology development and how we can reach our goals for decarbonization."
Some representatives from environmental groups did pay the $200 entrance fee to participate, including Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director Camilla Feibelman, who took issue with comments made by one ConocoPhillips executive during a panel discussion Thursday morning.
Vice President for Corporate Policy Karl Fennessy said the transition to clean energy will take time, and global demand for oil and gas is not projected to plateau until the early 2030s. Even then, demand will remain steady until mid-century, he said, and in the meantime, ConocoPhillips is working aggressively to decarbonize its oil and gas operations.
"We need to integrate that into discussions about the energy transition," Fennessy said.
But Feibelman said such positions significantly slow the ability to phase out fossil fuels.
"It's always a good idea to bring people together, but we have to make sure industry positions and 'solutions' aren't just 'greenwashing' the issues," Feibelman told the Journal. "Can ConocoPhillips really say with a straight face that it will continue to extract oil and gas in New Mexico while protecting the state from the ravages of the climate crisis?"
Before the march, Juárez and a small group of protesters attempted to enter the conference but were removed by hotel security.
The protesters complained that oil and gas executives were directly represented in the conference, but climate activists were not — especially given the $200 price tag for each conference participant.
"A lot of our community members couldn't just drop $200 to go to this," Juárez said.
