Hobbs, NM--As the energy debate heats up in New Mexico, the Center for Energy Policy is watching closely and creating a public education forum to encourage effective and balanced energy policy decision-making.

The latest confrontation began in 2008 when New Energy Economy Inc., an environmental group, petitioned the state of New Mexico to mandate drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

In late 2009, a diverse group including state legislators, filed a lawsuit against the state's Environmental Improvement Board, claiming that the Board does not have jurisdiction to mandate cuts.

The original petition from New Energy asked the state to cut emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

As the political and legal debate rages, the Center for Energy Policy , a division of New Mexico Tech based in Hobbs, will facilitate specialist exchanges as well as position statements from the interests involved.

Robert Caudle, representing the Center, said "we hope to move the debate forward by supporting the policy discourse in New Mexico."