Egolf and Wirth Fight to Defend Energy Programs Against Federal Bureaucratic Overreach

State Representative Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe-47) and State Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe-25), are urging Congress to overturn a directive from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that threatens to undermine residential renewable energy programs. Egolf and Wirth are asking New Mexico’s delegation to Congress to join them in opposing what they are calling "a vast bureaucratic overreach into renewable energy programs and states’ rights."

In a letter addressing New Mexico’s U.S. Congressional Delegation, Rep. Egolf and Senator Wirth write, “New Mexico, like many other states, has enacted legislation designed to help homeowners finance the costs of installing solar or other sustainable energy systems. We were the authors of the two new laws, House Bill 572 and Senate Bill 647, in the 2009 session of the New Mexico Legislature. These programs have multiple benefits: homeowners can save money on utility bills and increase the value of their homes; designers and installers of sustainable energy systems gain more business; and we all benefit from a decreased dependence on fossil fuels.”

You've Got To Be Kidding Me
Earlier this month the FHFA claimed that these programs pose an unspecified threat to the financial health of the mortgage banking industry. Rep. Egolf and Senator Wirth call this an overreach in areas that are traditionally the purview of the states: property taxes and energy delivery. Both say that by throwing up barriers for Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) funding, the FHFA has infringed on important areas of states’ rights to self-govern and has extinguished an opportunity to create jobs and improve the quality and health of our natural environment.

“New Mexico’s PACE programs are some of the best ways to get New Mexicans back to work, and I am extremely disappointed that Washington bureaucrats have slowed down our effort to create jobs here in New Mexico," Egolf said in a statement released today. "The carpenters, electricians, plumbers and solar installers who would get work under PACE programs can’t wait any longer. It is time for Washington to get out of the way and let us do what we think is best for our local economy.”

Representatives Antonio Lujan (D-Doña Ana-35), Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo-21), Antonio Maestas (D-Bernalillo-16), Gail Chasey (D-Bernalillo-18), Eleanor Chavez (D-Bernalillo-13), and Nathan Cote (D-Doña Ana, Otero-53) are joined by Senators Dede Feldman (D-Bernalillo-13), Steven Fischmann (D-Doña Anna & Sierra-37), and Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Bernalillo-12) in urging U.S. lawmakers to reverse the FHFA’s decision in order to save opportunities to expand renewable energy and promote local economic development.

If you'd like to join these legislators in urging our members of Congress to oppose the new FHFA directive that threatens PACE funding in New Mexico, click for contact info:

• Sen. Jeff Bingaman
• Sen. Tom Udall
• Rep. Martin Heinrich
• Rep. Ben Ray Lujan