New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority
Minutes
Meeting: February 21, 2008
New Mexico State Capital Building, Room 311
Santa Fe, NM
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Busch at 1:05 PM.
All members were present except Bob McNiel. Executive Director Lisa Szot was also
present.
Member Prukop moved to approve the agenda as presented. Member Rivera
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Member Rivera moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting with minor
modifications. Member Blanchard seconded the motion; it passed unanimously.
Director Szot presented a DRAFT New Mexico (in-state) corridor map. It will be posted
on the website (www.nmreta.org) in the near future. Director Szot requested the public
and the Authority members to provide her comments about the map, which is in its
preliminary stage. Discussion followed including a recommendation that the DOE meet
with RETA at a future date.
There was one public comment from Tom Wray of Sun Zia. Two questions were posed
by the public; both of which were answered during the meeting. Chairman Bush
continued urge those who believe that RETA has a role to play in their plans to be very
specific about how RETA can be of help.
Member Blanchard nominated Member Michel as Vice-Chair, Member Prukop
seconded the motion. Member Michel asked that this be deferred to a later time for
discussion and was approved by the Chair to do so.
Member Michel moved to approve the initial Purpose statement for the Bylaws, Member
Farquhar seconded the motion. The motion did not pass due to a tie vote. Members
Michel, Rivera, and Farquhar voted yes and Members Busch, Valdes and Blanchard
voted no. A subsequent motion was made by Member Michel, Member Farquhar
seconded the motion. Member Michel amended his motion to include the language that
is below. The vote was 5 ayes and one nay from Member Rivera.
The Authority’s purpose is to diversify and expand the New Mexico economy and
promote environmental stewardship through improvements in the electric
transmission or storage infrastructure located in whole or in part within New
Mexico. The Authority will promote the use of renewable energy generated within
New Mexico and the development of renewable energy generation technology by
planning, acquiring, maintaining and operating electric transmission or storage
systems. Before assisting in the development of a project, the Authority may
consider the environmental effects associated with both the proposed project and
the generation resources expected to make use of the project. The Authority
may do any and all things necessary or proper to accomplish the objectives of
the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority Act (Act), Laws of
2007, Chapter 3, or as it may be amended.
Director Szot provided updates to the Authority members on the website, the MOU with
NMFA regarding administrative issues and a conference call she attended regarding
PNM’s collector system with High Plans Express.
Director Szot also proposed a six-month work plan for her activities. The members
asked her to modify the plan by adding timelines for the actions. She is to provide this
modified plan to the members within the next month. Included on the work plan are to
be some determinations of financial needs.
Discussion was held regarding the schedule for subsequent meetings. They are as
follows:
Friday, March 28
Wednesday, April 23
Wednesday, May 28
Wednesday, June 18
Wednesday, August 20
Wednesday, September 24
Wednesday, October 22
There will be no meeting in July, November or December. All these meetings will be
held at Porter Hall in the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
The next meeting of RETA will be March 28, 2008. The meeting will convene at 1:00
p.m. in Porter Hall, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe.
At 3:32, Chairman Busch motioned and Member Blanchard seconded the motion that
the meeting go into closed session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act to discuss
confidential subject matter and Executive Directors Employment, the motion passed
unanimously.
Discussion in the closed session consisted of only te confidential subject matter and the
Executive Directors Employment. No other topics were discussed and no action was
taken.
At 4:20 PM, Chair Busch moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Approved: ____________________________________
Date: __________