NM Legislative Activity
Contents
Governor’s Office
Some good news in New Mexico is Governor MLG’s 2019, third executive order on climate.
2021 Session (Tentative)
- Community Solar Act - Work group is under way.
- Environmental Amendment to NM Constitution - (Mimi Stewart)
2020 Session
HB233 Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap
Passed in 2020 Short Session this bill funds initiatives via grants to suitable institutions in an effort to create a New Mexico energy roadmap.
HM9 - State Renewable Investment Plan
The 'State Renewable Investment plan' directed the NM State Investment Council to create a plan to invest part of its $28 billion dollar state investment fund into New Mexico renewable energy projects. This could include loans, financing or equity in renewable energy generation, storage or transmission, and economically targeted investment to place infrastructure on State Land and Native American land.
Others
Healthy Soil Program Funding - Provides funding for 2019-HB204 Healthy Soils Act, which is focused on regenerative farming and involves carbon sequestration.
| SB 29 - Solar Market Development Tax Credit - Tax credots for consumer installed solar power.
Not passed
HB9 - Community Solar Act (1) - Authorizes creation of Community Solar Resources up to 10MW.
SB80 - Community Solar Act (2)
| HB99 - Renewable Energy Invesement Policy Funding - Would provide auxiliary funding for HM9 State Renewable Investment Plan program.
| HB173 - Gas Taxes, New Funds & Distributions - Impose surcharge on gasoline and special fuels.
| HB201 - Energy Storage System Tax Credit Changes - Tax credits for residents who purchase renewable energy storage systems.
| HB 217 - Electric Vehicle Income Tax Credit (1) - Provides a tax credit of $2500 when a tax payer purchases an electric vehicle. For individuals earning under $50,000 and families under $75,000 the credit is $5000.
| SB 2 - Electric Vehicle Income Tax Credit (2)
| HB 313 - Car Charging Station Tax Credit - Provides Tax Credit for Car Charging Station.
| SB 114 - Community Energy Efficiency Development Grant - Funding to counties to increase energy efficiency in low-income households.
2019 Session
SB489 - The NM Energy Transition Act
The Passing
NM Energy Transition Act SB 489, was signed by governor MLG March 22, 2019
which states that NM will be:
- 50% carbon-free electricity by 2030
- 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045 (same as CA and Hawaii)
Challenges
But NEE et al filed suit in NM Supreme Court on 8/26/19 challenging parts that they perceived as unconstitutional (Aug/2019), see NEE’s announcement at:
and the MM Supreme Court writ at:
The NM Supreme Court refused to hear this writ. NEE efforts continue to ‘restore’ power to the PRC to regulate PNM. Other NMSC efforts are still in progress.
What is the ETA?
High Country News called the ETA a mini-Green New Deal in this thorough reporting:
- "New Mexico’s ‘mini’ Green New Deal, dissected" - Jonathan Thompson - March 25, 2019
Western Resource Advocates explains what’s in the act and it’s benefits in their on-line article at:
- "The Energy Transition Act Makes New Mexico a National Leader in Clean Energy" - Maria Nájera - March 7, 2019
