HOUSE MEMORIAL 20

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Matthew McQueen and Tara L. Lujan and Debra M. Sariñana

and Joanne J. Ferrary

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO DIRECT THE CREATION OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY GROUP TO STUDY AND DEVELOP OPTIONS TO ACCELERATE REVIEW AND DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW MEXICO.

 

     WHEREAS, demand for electricity within the state is rising rapidly, with the energy, minerals and natural resources department projecting a forty-two percent increase by 2040; and

     WHEREAS, the growing occurrence of climate-related disasters and more frequent extreme weather events have underscored the dire need for enhanced grid reliability and increased capacity for energy generation, storage and transmission; and

     WHEREAS, the state has committed to ambitious and necessary energy transition goals that require public utilities and rural electric cooperatives to take steps to achieve zero carbon electricity generation over the next twenty years, ensuring a clean and reliable energy system; and

     WHEREAS, the statewide expansion of community- and utility-scale renewable energy presents significant opportunities for job creation, workforce development and broader economic advancement across every region, with employment in the sector growing at more than twice the rate of overall state employment; and

     WHEREAS, the state's abundance of high-quality renewable resources offers an unparalleled opportunity to reduce costs for ratepayers, offset reliance on fossil fuels and stabilize energy prices; and

     WHEREAS, bottlenecks in grid modernization and the slow deployment of community- and utility-scale renewable energy and supporting infrastructure have constrained the state's ability to meet growing energy demand, reach clean energy goals, support continued job creation and provide lower utility rates; and

     WHEREAS, the effective deployment of community- and utility-scale renewable energy requires an approval process that is swift, certain and fair, reasonably safeguards land, water, wildlife and scenic resources and ensures meaningful public participation and appropriate judicial oversight;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to direct the creation of a study group and make recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee on a comprehensive statewide approach, including administrative, legislative and judicial considerations, to accelerate review of community- and utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the goals of the study group in developing recommendations include examining existing federal, state and local permitting requirements applicable to community- and utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure projects and identifying opportunities to streamline project reviews; discerning mechanisms to improve clarity and predictability in permitting decisions, including standardized guidelines and coordinated interagency processes; determining best practices to ensure meaningful public participation without creating undue delays; evaluating the benefits of joining a regional transmission organization; and facilitating collaboration among state agencies and industry and stakeholder groups to develop a framework that allows for the timely and efficient deployment of community- and utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group be composed of fourteen members, appointed by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, consisting of:

          A. one member each appointed from the following agencies and stakeholder entities: the energy, minerals and natural resources department; the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority; the public regulation commission; the state land office; the department of game and fish; the New Mexico association of counties; and the New Mexico municipal league; and

          B. seven additional members to be appointed from industry or nongovernmental organizations with relevant expertise, including electric utilities, rural electric cooperatives, renewable energy project developers, transmission developers, clean energy trade associations, tribal energy entities, other stakeholders with expertise relating to renewable energy infrastructure and at least one representative from an environmental or conservation organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to coordinate the activities of the study group, including regular meetings and a final report detailing the findings and recommendations of the study group; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group be requested to present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee on or before November 1, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council; the governor; the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources; the commissioner of public lands; the chair of the public regulation commission; the executive director of the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority; the director of the department of game and fish; the executive director of the New Mexico association of counties; and the executive director of the New Mexico municipal league.

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