Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page 18)

BUSINESS REPORT New Mexico By Bill Trüb Green with Energy New Mexico is becoming a model state for “green” business development and practice. N ew Mexico is taking a manifold approach to establishing itself as an environmentally conscious state. New governmental mandates, lucrative grants, and film production incentives have combined to create an oasis of green business in a state carved out of desert. In January, New Mexico began requiring industries to report their greenhouse gas emissions. This measure, approved by the state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB), forces the largest industrial companies, including power plants and oil/gas refineries, to provide a record of their air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. Smaller companies will be required to report the same information as early as 2009. The rules allow a phasing-in of the greenNEW MEXICO FAST FACTS Population (2005): 1,954,599 Largest Cities (2005): Albuquerque, 504,949; Las Cruces, 86,268; Santa Fe, 72,056; Rio Rancho, 71,607; Roswell, 45,582 Targeted Industries: Biotech/biomedical, aerospace, optics/photonics, film production, IT/software development, telecommunications, automotive manufacturing, artisan manufacturing, and maquila suppliers Key Incentives: Job Training Incentive Program, Angel Investment Tax Credit, Double Weight Sales Factor, 25% Film Production Tax Rebate, Film Investment Loan Program house gases being reported, starting with carbon dioxide, followed by methane, and finally nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson calls this effort “one of the most comprehensive mandatory greenhouse gas reporting programs in the nation,” and hopes the measures taken will lead to the curtailment of harmful emissions affecting the state and global climate. Also in January, New Mexico adopted a pollution-reducing Clean Car program. The program requires reductions in tailpipe emissions to decrease air pollution, and an overall lessening of greenhouse gas emissions, including air conditioning refrigerants, from vehicles sold in New Mexico. The program only applies to new vehicles and will not affect cars sold as new before model year 2011. The Climate Change Advisory Group, which includes environmentalists as well as representatives from oil and gas companies, utilities, laboratories, universities, and local governments, recommended the Clean Car program as one of the most affordable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico. Ron Curry, secretary of New Mexico’s Environment Department (NMED), says, “The Clean Car standard will help protect our state from the effects of climate change, including public health concerns, increasing temperatures, and lessening snow pack and stream flows.” Government grants also exist to help cities and towns address specific EMPLOYMENT BY NAICS SUPERSECTOR (December 2007) Trade, Transportation, & Utilities: 148,900 2,000 Natural Resources & Mining: 20,000 THOUSANDS OF WORKERS Professional & Business Services: 109,000 Leisure & Hospitality: 86,300 1,500 Manufacturing: 36,100 Other Services: 29,200 1,000 500 SOURCE: BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DECEMBER 2007 (PRELIMINARY DATA, NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) 18 FEBRUARY 2008 Information: 16,300 Government: 199,300 Construction: 58,000

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Business Facilites - February 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Texas Capturing the Creative Class Green with Energy Automotive Opportunities in a Green Economy Corporate Moves: Wyoming Metro Spotlight: Overland Park, KS Metro Spotlight: Long Island, NY Get Ahead in Alabama Indiana: Sending Tech Messages How to Successfully Negotiate a Lease in Today's Real Estate Environment Legislation Spurring Innovation in Kentucky New Center will Propel Ontario's Automotive Future Virginia's Vital Signs Eating Well in the North of France Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - February 2008

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