New Mexico Governor Richardson Announces Appointment of Renewable Energy Transmission Director

December 11, 2007 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that Lisa Szot, formerly a leading transmission engineer and executive at BP and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), will be the first Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA). Szot will take the reins at RETA on January 7, 2008.

“This position is critical in achieving New Mexico’s vision of clean energy throughout the state and the southwest region,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “Lisa Szot is a capable, knowledgeable leader in this field and it is a credit to our potential that she has committed to serve as the first executive director of the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority."

RETA Board Chairman Ned Farquhar stated, “We need someone who is very comfortable with renewable energy and transmission, and who has a get-it-done-now personality. Lisa fills the bill."

Szot is currently BP’s manager of renewable energy transmission in Houston, TX. She will move to Santa Fe.

“I am really excited about this opportunity,” said Szot. “New Mexico can provide a lot of its own electric needs as well as other states’ with its wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Governor Richardson, the Legislature, and the Public Regulation Commission have put RETA in position to be very influential in the West’s energy future."

The RETA was established by the 2007 Legislature to help plan and develop the transmission systems necessary to move New Mexico’s renewable energy to instate and out-of-state markets. The Board of Directors was appointed this fall.

RETA’s next Board meeting will be held on December 18, 2007 in Santa Fe. For more information about the meeting and RETA, please see the website at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/main/RETA2.htm

Source: New Mexico Governor

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