N.M. Senator Martin Heinrich & U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Granholm in Northwest NM

Gallup, N.M. – Executive Director, and member of the NM Legislature Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup) joined with N.M. Senator Heinrich and U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary Granholm on Thursday, August 19th, 2021 for a site tour in Farmington, NM.

Lundstrom released the following statement; “New Mexico has relied upon large coal-fired generating plants for decades to provide both energy to the state’s utility customers and many jobs in the localities where the coal plants are located. The recent closure of the Escalante Power Plan highlights the challenges that will be confronted as the state implements the goals of the Energy Transition Act. Many jobs were lost in McKinley and Cibola Counties, where unemployment is already too high and the resulting impact on the local economies has been devastating, made even more so by the consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The world’s first coal to hydrogen power plant conversion is located right here, in the great state of New Mexico. The zero-carbon power plant is 100 miles south of here in McKinley County, between Gallup and Grants. Tallgrass Energy, a Blackstone portfolio company, has validated the project with the acquisition of a majority interest in Escalante H2 Power. Tallgrass has been awarded funding from the Department of Energy as part of the recently announced Hydrogen Energy Earthshot initiative to reduce the cost and accelerate breakthroughs in the clean hydrogen sector.”

In addition, Lundstrom applauded Senator Heinrich & Secretary Granholm for taking the time to understand our energy potential in Northwest NM.

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About Newpoint Companies:

Newpoint Gas, LLC specializes in the design of modular gas treating and gas processing facilities. Newpoint’s experience insures the most cost-effective gas pretreatment solutions are available to customers in every market. Contract Gas Treating Services are provided through complete facilities and operations, as required, to meet residue gas specifications

About Tallgrass Energy:

Growth-oriented midstream energy company, transporting crude oil and natural gas from some of the nation’s most prolific basins in the Rocky Mountains, Upper Midwest and Appalachian regions. Own and operate more than 8,300 miles of natural gas pipeline, more than 850 miles of crude pipeline, and more than 350 miles of water pipeline across a broad portion of the U.S. Having one of the industry’s leading water reclamation programs situated in close proximity to producers.