Anthony housing complex targets 30% energy bill cuts
State officials and local developers unveiled heat pumps and solar panels at Loma Del Norte, marking the first annual Climate Day in New Mexico.
By James Mitchell ·
Community leaders gathered at the Loma Del Norte apartment complex in Anthony, New Mexico, on Thursday, October 29, to debut a new energy efficiency package aimed at low-income residents. The ceremony marked the first observance of Climate Day, a designation issued by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for October 30.
Southwestern Regional Housing and Community Development Corporation, a local nonprofit, executed the physical upgrades under the state’s NM Energy$mart Weatherization program. Housing New Mexico, the state’s mortgage finance authority, administers the initiative.
The project included full repairs to roofs and ceilings, the installation of modern heat pump systems, and the addition of solar panels. Veronika Molina, the executive director of the regional housing corporation, stated that these modifications are designed to reduce heat loss in winter and prevent excessive warmth in summer.
Molina said the goal is to cut heating and cooling costs for residents by at least 30%. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, which received its initial authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Funding for the work combines state and federal resources with contributions from utility providers. PNM and New Mexico Gas Company are among the service providers contributing to the effort, alongside the New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources and the state’s Housing Trust Fund.
