RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY GROUP

HENRC/HM 20
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A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT TO DIRECT THE CREATION OF AN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
STUDY GROUP TO STUDY AND DEVELOP OPTIONS TO ACCELERATE REVIEW
AND DEPLOYMENT OF 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, there is a need for enhanced grid reliability
and increased capacity for energy generation, storage and
transmission; and
WHEREAS, the statewide expansion of community- and
utility-scale 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 energy
resources offers an opportunity to reduce costs for
ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, bottlenecks in grid modernization and the slow
deployment of energy and supporting infrastructure have
constrained the state's ability to meet growing energy
HENRC/HM 20
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demand, reach clean energy goals, support continued job
creation and provide lower utility rates; and
WHEREAS, the effective deployment of community- and
utility-scale 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 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 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;
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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 energy infrastructure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group be composed
of at least sixteen members consisting of:
A. one member each appointed by the secretary of
energy, minerals and natural resources 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
Indian affairs department; the New Mexico association of
counties; and the New Mexico municipal league;
B. eight additional members to be appointed by the
secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources from
industry or nongovernmental organizations with relevant
expertise, including electric utilities, rural electric
cooperatives, energy project developers, transmission
developers, energy trade associations, tribal energy
entities, other stakeholders with expertise relating to
energy infrastructure and at least two representatives from
environmental or conservation organizations; and
C. representatives from relevant federal agencies,
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invited by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural
resources; 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 secretary of
Indian affairs; the executive director of the New Mexico
association of counties; and the executive director of the New
Mexico municipal league.