SANTA FE – New Mexico State Treasurer James B. Lewis will be a featured speaker and panelist at the World Pension Forum Green Globalization conference on May 6, 2008, in São Paulo, Brazil. As part of his presentation in Brazil, Treasurer Lewis will discuss New Mexico’s natural resources and highlight the goals and objectives of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA). Treasurer Lewis will also join the São Paulo Secretary of Agriculture and the CEO of UNICA Sugar and Ethanol Conglomerate in a panel discussion on alternative energy.
“It is a distinct honor to be asked to participate by World Pension Forum and to talk about agribusiness and green investing, which are key areas,” Treasurer Lewis said. “This conference will give me an opportunity to showcase New Mexico and to talk to individuals who may have an interest in coming here to invest in the alternative energy field.”
New Mexico supports renewable energy through tax incentives, environmental requirements, utility industry mandates, and the creation of RETA, which was established by state statute in 2007. RETA is the first state-level financing authority that focuses on developing renewable energy. Treasurer Lewis serves on the RETA board in his official capacity.
“New Mexico is a leader in alternative energy development and has world-class wind and solar energy resources,” Treasurer Lewis said. “The development of wind energy will have a large impact on the U.S. economy, and New Mexico ranks first in the U.S. in wind power as a percent of electricity usage.”
According to World Pension Forum, Brazil is becoming an alternative energy superpower with sugar as a key component of the country’s ethanol production. World Pension Forum provides educational opportunities to experienced leaders of public and corporate trusts, fund managers, asset managers and other decision makers. World Pension Forum fulfills its educational mission through conferences that gather government officials, institutional managers, business leaders and academics from around the world to learn about and discuss issues facing financial leaders. More information about Brazil’s alternative energy development and the World Pension Forum Green Globalization Conference is available at
www.worldpensionforum.com.