A piece of legislation that would have set hydrogen incentives in New Mexico was shot down by a state Senate panel on Feb. 8.
The panel voted 7-2 to suspend House Bill 6 (HB6) after fielding lengthy and impassioned testimony from constituents, according to KRQE.
HB 6’s purpose was for “establishing greenhouse gas emissions limits; requiring reporting; providing powers and duties; enacting a new section of the air quality control act; [and] directing the environmental improvement board to adopt rules for a regulatory framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sources subject to its jurisdiction,” according to the state legislature’s website.
Had the measure garnered approval, it would have incentivized the usage of hydrogen fuel that is derived from natural gas, KRQE said.
The station reported that the bill, which was sponsored by state Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup), would have placed hydrogen-fueled generator stations on the same footing as wind or solar generators.
According to Muñoz, the legislation could center New Mexico as a major player in the growing hydrogen industry.
The bill’s supporters assert that hydrogen – with more research and development – could emerge as a viable clean fuel alternative, according to KRQE.
Critics such as environmental groups and consumer protection advocates, however, claim that the use of hydrogen would be an affront to the state’s Energy Transition Act.