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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Campos

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/30/08

HB

SHORT TITLE Sustainable Energy Curriculum Program

SB 467

ANALYST Cox

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$400.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 467 requests an appropriation of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) from the

General Fund to the Higher Education Department for expenditure in fiscal year 2009 to

establish an alternative and sustainable energy curriculum program to be implemented by Luna

Community College to establish an educational network of college-preparatory courses for seven

school districts in northeastern New Mexico and comprehensive programs for candidates for

associate and four-year degrees. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end

of fiscal year 2009 shall revert to the general.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) contained in this bill is a

recurring expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at

the end of Fiscal Year 2009 shall revert to the General Fund.

This program has received a grant for its current biodiesel program in the amount of $59,000.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY09 shall revert to the

General Fund.

Senate Bill 467 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

HED states:

LCC is a two-year community college committed to serving the changing needs of its student

population and the surrounding communities. Its mission is to provide comprehensive education,

preparations for relevant employment, and opportunities for life-long learning.

The Renewable Energy Program at LCC, as part of the Department of Math, Science,

Engineering and Technology, promotes alternative energy education to the community, provides

educational programs to students which are responsive to position New Mexico at the forefront

of alternative energy, and creates opportunities for students to find employment upon graduation

in professions that use cutting-edge technology. LCC is working in conjunction with New

Mexico State University (NMSU) as the four-year institution providing bachelor degrees.

According to Mike Adams, LCC representative, the funds earmarked in this proposal will be

used for laboratory equipment, the maintenance and upgrade of labs, and repair and training of

wind farms in the local area.

LCC provides associate degree programs in Solar and Wind Technology, Biodiesel, Electronics

and Engineering, Robotics, Manufacturing, Drafting/AutoCAD/Architectural Engineering.

SB467 would fund the recruitment of additional students in the Alternative Energy programs for

Fall 2009; new equipment to test solar panels and windmills; biodiesel labs, manufacturing

facilities to manufacture solar panels and windmill blades; additional faculty trained in radiant

flooring; a water retention pond for recycling wastewater for lawn maintenance, industrial

washing, and the biodiesel lab.

A research and public service proposal was submitted by Luna Community College to the New

Mexico Higher Education Department for review in the amount of $1,342,960 for this program.

It is not included in the Department’s executive funding recommendation for FY09.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to this appropriation, the New Mexico Higher Education Department will be the

administrator for these funds involving receipt and disbursement to LCC rather than funding of

the appropriation directly to the institution.

PRC/bb