New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII, Issue 20 / October 25, 2022
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING AND RULEMAKING
The State of
New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) hereby
gives notice of the following proposed rulemaking. EMNRD proposes to adopt 17.9.588
NMAC, Grid Modernization Grant Program.
Purpose of Rule. In 2020 the Legislature passed the Electric Grid Modernization Roadmap Act directing EMNRD to establish a grid modernization grant program. The statute delineated entities eligible for grid modernization grant program funding, determined criteria for evaluating projects and provided a definition of grid modernization. The Act required EMNRD to promulgate rules to establish requirements and procedures for applying for a grid modernization grant program grant. In the 2020 Act, the Legislature also established a grid modernization grant program fund that may in the future include state-allocated funds and/or donations from the private sector.
17.9.588 NMAC, Grid Modernization Grant Program. EMNRD proposes to solicit three types of projects to advance research and development in electric grid modernization: 1) original research projects; 2) pre-construction and design projects; and 3) construction/installation, operation and verification projects. The rule adopts evaluation criteria and establishes an annual project solicitation cycle to correspond with the New Mexico fiscal year. The rule will apply to all grid modernization grant program projects irrespective of program funding source. The rule is based on lessons learned over a year of engaging stakeholders and applicants under a Request for Applications (RFA) issued in 2021.
Legal Authority. EMNRD proposes the rules under the authority of Section 71-11-1(B) through (E) and Section 71-11-2, NMSA 1978.
The full text of
the proposed rules are available from the EMNRD, Energy Conservation
and Management Division, 1220 S. Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM
87505; at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/ecmd/ecmd-public-notices/;
or by contacting Jacqueline Waite at Jacqueline.waite@emnrd.nm.gov; telephone (505)
629-2858.
Public Hearing and Comment. EMNRD will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed rules at 10 am on November 30, 2022. The public may join the hearing virtually through WebEx using one of the following:
Grid Modernization Grant Program Rule Public Hearing
Date and time:
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022 10:00 am | (UTC-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
Join link:
https://nmemnrd.webex.com/nmemnrd/j.php?MTID=m91f4f72026b0ed8cb30c1f555d9d3c18
Webinar number:
2495 251 0556
Webinar password:
MUmjMmVu522 (68656688 from phones)
Join by phone
1-844-992-4726 United States Toll Free
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
Access code: 249 525 10556
Those wishing to comment on the proposed rules may make oral comments or submit written comments at the hearing or may submit written comments by November 30, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. by mail or e-mail. Please mail written comments to Jacqueline Waite, EMNRD, Energy Conservation and Management Division, 1220 South Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 or submit them by e-mail Jacqueline.waite@emnrd.nm.gov.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing, please contact Jacqueline Waite at (505) 629-2858 or the New Mexico Relay Network at 1-800-659-1779 two weeks prior to the hearing. Public documents can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact Jacqueline Waite at (505) 629-2858 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.