HM 20 — RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY GROUP

HOUSE ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE MEMORIAL 20 57TH LEGISLATURE- STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026 4 6 8 10 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.

167 WHEREAS, demand for electricity within the state is rising e t 17 rapidly, with the energy, minerals and natural resources w l n d 18 department projecting a forty-two percent increase by 2040;

and = = 19 WHEREAS, there is a need for enhanced grid reliability and a l i a e r 20 increased capacity for energy generation, storage and a t m m 21 transmission;

and d r e 22 WHEREAS, the statewide expansion of community- and c e s k 23 utility-scale energy presents significant opportunities for job e a n b 24 creation, workforce development and broader economic u [ advancement across every region, with employment in the sector .233816.1 HENRC/HM 20 growing at more than twice the rate of overall state employment;

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 Page 1 demand, reach clean energy goals, support continued job creation and provide lower utility rates;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF e e 17 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the energy, e e n d 18 minerals and natural resources department be requested to = = l ] 19 direct the creation of a study group and make recommendations a l r i 20 to the appropriate interim legislative committee on a t e a t comprehensive statewide approach, including administrative, m m 21 e d legislative and judicial considerations, to accelerate review r e 22 c e r c 23 of community- and utility-scale energy infrastructure;

and e a n b 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the goals of the study group u [ in developing recommendations include examining existing .233816.1 - 2 - HENRC/HM 20 federal, state and local permitting requirements applicable to community- and utility-scale energy infrastructure projects and identifying opportunities to streamline project reviews;

HENRC/HM 20 Page 2 evaluating the benefits of joining a regional transmission organization;

one member each appointed by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources from the following e e 17 agencies and stakeholder entities:

the energy, minerals and e e n d 18 natural resources department;

the New Mexico renewable energy = = l ] 19 transmission authority;

the a l r i 20 state land office;

the Indian t e a t affairs department;

and m m 21 e d the New Mexico municipal league;

r e 22 c e r c 23 B.

eight additional members to be appointed by the e a n b 24 secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources from u [ industry or nongovernmental organizations with relevant .233816.1 - 3 - HENRC/HM 20 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;

representatives from relevant federal agencies, HENRC/HM 20 Page 3 invited by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources;

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group be requested to present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate e e 17 interim legislative committee on or before November 1, 2026;

e e n d 18 and = = l ] 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be a l r i 20 transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative t e a t council;

the secretary of energy, minerals and m m 21 e d natural resources;

the chair r e 22 c e r c 23 of the public regulation commission;

the executive director of e a n b 24 the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority;

the u [ director of the department of game and fish;

the secretary of .233816.1 - 4 - HENRC/HM 20 Indian affairs;

-HENRC/HM 5 - 6 8 10 12 14 16 e e 17 e e n d 18 = = l ] 19 a l r i 20 tPage e4 a25 t m m 21 e d r e 22 c e r c 23 e a n b 24 u [ .233816.1