Representatives from the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) visited the Western New Mexico University campus on Dec. 5, 2024, to present the university with a $100,000 rebate check for installing four electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers.
WNMU installed the EV fast chargers earlier this year with the assistance of Freeport-McMoRan. The chargers are in the Fine Arts Center Theatre parking lot, near Ben Altamirano Field and the solar array.
By offering free access to EV chargers, WNMU and Freeport-McMoRan aim to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce reliance on traditional fossil-fuel-powered transportation. This initiative not only benefits the university community but also contributes to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
The rebate was awarded as part of PNM’s Transportation Electrification Program (2022-2023), which provided up to $25,000 per charging station to offset the make-ready costs to install the EV chargers.
“We are thrilled to present a $100,000 rebate check to Western New Mexico University for the installment of four Level 3 DC Fast Chargers,” said PNM in a statement. “This initiative underscores our commitment to community support and sustainable development. Together, we are driving progress and making a positive impact.”
WNMU Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle said that the EV chargers were part of a broader, sustained initiative at the university. “We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to partner with Freeport-McMoRan and PNM in completing this important project that is taking WNMU one step closer to carbon neutrality,” she said.
PNM indicated that anyone interested in learning more about the rebate program could find information on their website at https://ev.pnm.com/. The initiative, they said, “is all about reducing barriers to EV adoption by supporting PNM customers who are installing EV chargers.”
WNMU President Joseph Shepard said that PNM has been a crucial partner in the university’s movement toward a greener future. “Moving our university toward carbon neutrality is an important objective of ours,” he explained. “PNM has been a tremendous partner, not only with its various solar installation partnerships that we have, but now with its rebate program that encourages charging stations for electronic vehicles. Together, we’re making a difference to protect our planet’s resources.”