Given that the state of New Mexico is among the top 10 producers of energy within the US, people want to shift their energy consumption from fossil fuels to renewable resources by 2045. Although the goal is noble, it falls short in many respects. 

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards require that utilities have to generate a minimum percentage of energy in their portfolios from renewable sources as defined by the technologies. The goal was 20% in the 2000s, and currently several lawmakers and activists are pushing for it to be 50% or 100% within the next decade or two. However, such lofty standards are difficult to meet in the given time. 

Although renewable energy is abundant, it is useless unless it is harnessed in an effective way. New Mexico possesses a diverse geography, allowing a large variance across the state in terms of climate, containing deserts where summer temperatures could reach as high as 100°F and snowy peaks where winter temperatures fall to zero degrees. This pattern creates a high degree of unpredictability attached to renewable energy resources, particularly solar and wind. Solar energy cannot be available to us all the time, and there are huge fluctuations with wind energy depending on the speed of the wind. 

The technology to effectively utilize these resources is relatively expensive and still developing. According to one estimate, the solar panel price needs to fall to about $0.31/W to be competitive with coal. The most optimistic projection is that we can see the price fall to $1.44/W, which is still quadruple the estimated amount. Relying on the technology to store energy from wind and solar resources is not a viable alternative, as this technology is still developing. If these technologies are installed in their infancy without a price reduction, they can burden the taxpayers. The crippling effect will be felt more by the people in the lower strata of society, which will have severe political consequences. 

Climate change remains a pertinent issue. However, we must first look at the options available to us and also assess the scale of the problem. The cure must not be worse than the disease. Due to expensive technology, high standards set by the lawmakers, and technical limitations of our existing technologies, the unfortunate reality is that the state of New Mexico cannot reach its goal of carbon-free electricity generation by the year 2045.