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Commission reintroduces and approves Oso Negro battery-storage IRB despite limited direct job creation
Summary
Bernalillo County reintroduced and approved an IRB for the Oso Negro battery-storage project, which staff said will create two direct full-time jobs (median salary ~$90,000) and provide grid storage; the vote passed 4–1 after commissioners debated the project's job and revenue trade-offs.
The Bernalillo County Commission voted to reintroduce and approve an industrial revenue bond (IRB) for the Oso Negro battery-storage project on March 11, a project staff said will store renewable energy and supply it to the grid when needed.
Marcos Gonzalez and staff described the project’s role in storing renewable generation and the statutory pilot requirement for renewable projects — a 3.14% pilot that will be distributed to schools that serve Bernalillo County as well as the county’s share. Staff said the IRB term would be 30 years and that only personal property taxes would be abated, not real property taxes.
Commissioners debated the limited direct job creation (staff said two full-time positions with median salary above $90,000) versus broader grid and affordability benefits. Commissioner Benson reiterated that he had voted against the project previously because it produced minimal direct jobs; during the March 11 roll call Commissioner Benson voted no and the item passed 4–1.
What happens next: the county will proceed with the IRB contract and track PILOT and reporting requirements under IRB compliance rules.
