Marchers object to PNM coal-fired power

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Protesters carrying giant skeletons demonstrated outside PNM's annual shareholders meeting Tuesday.

The environmental groups want PNM to shut down the San Juan Generating Station in the Four
Corners area west of Farmington.

PNM says it made $320 million worth of environmental upgrades to the plant in 2009, but the federal Environmental Protection Agency ruled last fall the plant must install equipment to cut emissions even further.

PNM argues that the cost would be detrimental to customers, and Gov. Susana Martinez asked for a 90-day delay.

A federal court rejected a challenge by PNM and Martinez to block the order from taking effect.

Protesters have their own ideas about where PNM should get energy.

"Solar and wind energy, that's what New Mexico has in abundance, and there's even some geothermal," protestor Glen Salas told krqe news 13. "Why pollute when you can use clean energy?"

PNM says its 2013 energy plan filed with the state includes more renewable energy sources.