Dear Santa Fe County Commissioners,

As organizations committed to advancing clean energy and protecting the environment, we are pleased to offer our strong support for the Rancho Viejo Solar Project in Santa Fe County. This project is not just a step forward for the county but also a crucial part of New Mexico's efforts to meet our state's ambitious clean energy goals.

New Mexico has set ambitious clean energy goals, including a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and zero-carbon electricity by 2050. Our state is rich with solar potential, yet solar currently accounts for only about 10% of our electricity production. Santa Fe County has recognized renewable energy as a key area for growth, and the Rancho Viejo Solar Project is poised to be a leader in this transformation. As the county's first large-scale solar farm, this project will help set the stage for additional renewable energy developments in the region, supporting the state's clean energy targets and contributing to a greener future for all New Mexicans.

In addition to solar power, energy storage is an essential piece of the clean energy puzzle. The Rancho Viejo Solar Project incorporates battery storage systems, which help store excess energy when the sun is shining and release it when demand is high. These systems are critical to building a reliable and fully renewable energy grid that can operate independently of fossil fuels. By enabling us to store clean energy for use at any time, energy storage plays a crucial role in reducing our reliance on polluting energy sources and combating climate change.

Santa Fe County is a community that understands the importance of conserving water for agriculture and residential use. Traditional power plants, particularly those powered by gas, consume vast amounts of water, which is a major strain on our precious water resources. Solar farms, on the other hand, use significantly less water—about 140 times less than gas power plants for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy produced. The energy storage systems used in the Rancho Viejo project also require minimal water, primarily for maintenance and safety, further reducing the project's impact on water resources. In a state where water conservation is a priority, solar and energy storage offer a sustainable alternative to other energy generation methods that are more water-intensive.

The Rancho Viejo Solar Project is an important step in building a clean, reliable, and sustainable energy future for Santa Fe County and New Mexico. It will help the state meet its renewable energy goals, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and conserve valuable water resources. And as advocates for environmental justice, we are certain that this project is a better development for our community than something more polluting that would go into poorer neighborhoods that are already lacking resources. We urge state environmental organizations to lend their support to this project and to continue advocating for the clean energy solutions that will protect both our environment and our communities.