City staff, consultant outline New Mexico CPACE program and ask Las Cruces council to consider opt‑in resolution

At a Las Cruces City Council work session on July 28, staff from the city’s Economic Development Department and a consultant for the state described the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program, known as CPACE, and asked the council to consider a resolution allowing Dona Ana County’s CPACE ordinance to operate within Las Cruces city limits.

CPACE is a private‑sector financing mechanism for energy, water and resiliency improvements on commercial, agricultural, industrial and multifamily properties of five or more units, the consultant said. Eric Christiansen of Adelante Consulting, the statewide program administrator contracted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department, said the program pays for eligible improvements through loans arranged by private capital providers and secured by a special assessment lien on the property. “The city’s only responsibility would be passing the resolution that allows the county’s ordinance to apply within your jurisdiction,” Christiansen said.

Why it matters: proponents say CPACE can lower upfront costs for building upgrades such as lighting, HVAC, insulation, low‑flow plumbing and solar, and can make some stalled projects financially…