From the Hobbs News-Sun by Levi Hill--Renewable energy is here to stay, but it will require government input as the nation moves forward with green energy. That was the message from U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., Tuesday at the second Energy Conference held by the New Mexico Center for Energy Policy at the Lea County Event Center. Bingaman was the keynote speaker for the event.

The daylong conference drew more than 400 attendees from across the nation to discuss issues surrounding the nation's continued push toward energy independence and green energy. More than a dozen panelists and four panels were part of the conference. In introducing Bingaman, New Mexico Tech President Daniel Lopez said the senator was a voice of reasonableness on renewable energy, greenhouse regulations and above all cost.

"Too much of what we are buying in new technology is imported," Bingaman said during his address, adding he supports tax credits for green energy technology manufacturing that occurs domestically.

"Renewables are here to stay and in my view will be an increasingly important part of our energy supply. They are not going to be a replacement, but they will be an add-on to what we have now." In panel discussion prior to Bingaman's address, Daniel Fine, research associate for the center for energy policy, said the senator exhibited strong leadership in 2008, predicting the downfall of the oil and credit industries.

"Sen. Bingaman exhibited leadership almost alone last summer, warning that this could happen in oil and gas without controllable regulation," Fine said.

Bingaman spoke mostly of that regulation Tuesday, citing a laundry list of actions the federal government has taken in the past four years toward energy independence, efficiency and development of renewable energy sources.

Among legislation the senator cited were bills that expanded the renewable fuel standard to promote the use of biofuels, increased fuel efficiency requirements for cars and trucks, 2009 stimulus package funds directed at green projects and legislation in the works to improve energy efficiency in building standards.

The senator said the nation should have two goals in developing renewable energy -- reducing greenhouse gases and lessening the nation's dependence on foreign energy sources.

"First, we need to increase the efficiency of how we generate and transmit energy," he said. "Second, we need to diversify our sources of energy. Third, how can we find ways to produce energy that does not result in further greenhouse gases?"

In a question and answer session following the senator's address, Bingaman was asked why he supported cap and trade and not a flat carbon tax. The advantages of cap and trade included less resistance from Congress and the potential for a global cap and trade system, he said.

"There are advantages for a carbon tax, but I am not sure it is passable," he said. "There is not a lot of enthusiasm in Congress for any kind of tax, and this would be any kind of tax."

The senator also spoke of New Mexico's role as a center for renewable technology development, citing wind energy manufacturers that have sprung up in the state, geothermal projects being explored and the state's new role in the nuclear industry.

"As the topic of today's conference ... there is a new green energy economy growing up in the Southwest and it promises to rival the other energy industries we have benefited from," he said.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who spoke before Bingaman, also addressed the need for fair legislation for the nation's budding renewable energy industry and said there is a cost to both action and inaction when it comes to developing renewable energies.

"There is also cost of inaction by not creating renewable energy sources," she said. "It might mean as much as $1.3 billion loss of income to our state if we miss the opportunities to implement renewable or energy efficient programs, and that number is only going to get bigger. I know the industry is up to the challenge."

Denish also cited the state's mix of energy sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal that could make the state a leader in renewable development.