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A former state senator will soon be joining the regulatory body that oversees most utilities in the state.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on New Year’s Day the appointment of Greg Nibert to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC).
Nibert is a lawyer who specializes in real property, energy, and administrative law. In that capacity, he has worked on energy and natural resources projects throughout the state.
In addition to serving as a state senator, he has also been a member of the state House of Representatives.
“I am honored to be nominated to the Public Regulation Commission,” Nibert said in a news release. “My duty as a commissioner will be to regulate our utilities according to the laws of the land, which includes, first and foremost, the Energy Transition Act. The PRC plays a crucial role in ensuring we meet the renewable energy targets set forth in statute for the betterment of our state. I look forward to securing New Mexico’s energy future for generations to come.”
The Energy Transition Act of 2019 passed in response to the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s announcement two years earlier that the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station would close in 2022. The law set in place targets for transitioning away from fossil fuels in the electric utility sector. This has driven a rise in renewable energy projects throughout the state.
Nibert will serve a six-year term on the PRC, during which time he will make $190,000 annually.
He replaced Commissioner James Ellison, whose term ended on Dec. 31.
Nibert was chosen from a pool of about 30 candidates and he was among four candidates whose names were submitted to the governor by a nominating committee.
The other candidates whose names were submitted include Ellison, Debra Hicks and Blessing Chukwu.
The nominating committee expressed support for Nibert’s legal experience. During a meeting in November, Committee Member Denise Ramonas said having a lawyer on the commission would complement the skill sets of the other two members.
Nibert will serve as the sole Republican on the commission.
