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Key Conservation Issues:

Energy & Climate Change

The science is clear: climate change is already here and its impacts in New Mexico and across the globe are already becoming ever more significant and long-lasting. Delaying action or taking half-hearted measures will allow global temperatures to rise even more, creating additional disruption to natural and human systems. But there is still time to act to mitigate the worst of these outcomes and adapt to others. Our reliance on fossil fuels is driving changes in our climate that are clearly visible in the severe drought and catastrophic wildfires we have been experiencing over the past several years.

Relying on oil, coal and natural gas for the bulk of our energy needs is a losing gamble. Recent fracking growth, including in the Permian basin, is not sustainable and the oil and gas industry’s boom-and-bust cycles create havoc for state and local budget planning. Independent data has shown that methane emissions are likely much higher than industry and federal government monitoring suggest. Oil and gas facilities also emit harmful ozone and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are known carcinogens.

Just as oil and gas are losing gambles, so too is fossil fuel-derived hydrogen (grey and blue). Hydrogen has been touted as a potential alternative energy source for years, but the reality is that it’s simply not a viable option at this point. For starters, hydrogen must be produced, usually with fossil fuels, which defeats the purpose of finding a cleaner energy source. Additionally, creating hydrogen of any kind requires enormous amounts of water, which is not ideal for a place like New Mexico.

Fortunately, New Mexico boasts a wealth of clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, biofuels, and geothermal sources. We have the ability and resources to make clean energy a driving force of our economy while being cost-effective for energy consumers.

New Mexico took the first steps toward the “power shift” by calling for major investments in clean energy like wind and solar in the Energy Transition Act, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Lujan Grisham in March 2019. The law calls for our electricity to be carbon-free by 2045, one of the strongest standards in the country. New Mexico recently adopted methane and ozone precursor rules to rapidly reduce climate pollution and improve air quality. The state has also adopted community solar, Advanced Clean Car II and Advanced Clean Truck standards, created a Green Investment Bank, and leveraged federal Inflation Reduction Act funding to attract solar, battery storage, and wind manufacturers to the state. Additionally, in 2024 the Legislature passed clean fuel standards, making New Mexico the fourth state in the country to do so.

Reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry, capping orphaned wells, and installing solar and wind energy facilities can immediately employ oil and gas workers who are ready for a career transition. The creation of clean energy jobs, which are projected to grow faster than employment in other sectors, is supported by New Mexicans across the political spectrum. Diversifying our energy economy will also encourage other economic drivers, such as our growing outdoor recreation industry.

CVNM has published our climate report, titled “The State of Climate Action In New Mexico: A Call to Action.” The report details the progress on climate since Governor Lujan Grisham’s first term, and highlights a number of areas that the state still needs to take action. The report also details the ways that climate change impacts or lands, water, wildlife and the health and resilience of our communities. Check out the report by going to or climate action now website. 

Four Corners Power Plant

Kadin Royston plays while waiting for her family’s water barrels to fill as the Four Corners Power Plant operates about 15 miles west of Farmington, New Mexico.
Photo: Brian Leddy

Know the Score > Take Action

See the Related VotesStrategies for Action

Related Votes for Energy & Climate Change

Topics:

  • Air Quality Air Quality
  • Effective Government Effective
    Government
  • Energy & Climate Change Energy &
    Climate Change
  • Environmental Justice Environmental
    Justice
  • Land Land
  • Water Water
  • Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Wildlife & Habitat
    Conservation

Priority Bill # Title Sponsors Topics CVNM
Position
Year
HB 41 Clean Transportation Fuel Standards   more Kristina Ortez
Support 2024
HB 48/SB 24 Oil and Gas Royalty Rate   more Matthew McQueen
Support 2024
HB 133 Oil and Gas Act Changes   more Kristina Ortez
Support 2024

Know the Score > Take Action

Strategies for Energy & Climate Change

Actions that promote clean energy and tackle climate change:

Thank you!

There is an enormous, once-in-a-lifetime amount of federal funding currently available to the state of New Mexico for building climate resilience, furthering conservation projects, creating renewable energy infrastructure, and more. This opportunity comes in the form of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. To maximize this funding, the state Legislature passed HB 177, appropriating $75 million to match state funds for federal grants and administer the fund. Eligible entities include counties, cities, irrigation districts, educational institutions, and federally recognized Indian nations. The absence of a capped amount allows for a flexible, case-by-case approach to funding, ensuring New Mexico’s competitiveness with other states. This funding will support projects that range from climate resilience and conservation to transitioning away from fossil fuels and modernizing critical infrastructure. Ultimately, the New Mexico Match Fund aims to create transformative change and secure a better future for all New Mexicans.

Actions that hurt clean energy and exacerbate climate change:

No thank you!

The transition to clean, renewable energy is complex. Some sectors – at least for the moment – are “hard-to-decarbonize,” which has led to calls to use hydrogen for energy. In the United States, 95% of hydrogen is produced using natural gas and approximately 4% is produced through coal gasification. Many studies have shown that fossil fuel hydrogen with carbon capture may increase climate pollution emissions compared with directly burning methane gas. Furthermore, carbon capture itself is energy intensive, thereby reducing the net energy production.

 The accelerated push by some legislators and the current administration to embrace fossil fuel-based hydrogen production threatens New Mexico’s ability to fully implement sustainable clean energy technologies. The major effort took place in 2022, with the Governor’s executive order on establishing a regional hydrogen hub (which was not funded by the Department of Energy in its competition for hub funding). This was followed by three bills to fund hydrogen hub development; they all failed. Despite these setbacks, the Governor, legislative allies, and the fossil fuel industry have continued their efforts to get hydrogen production in place. This is highly problematic for communities impacted by the consequences of fossil fuel production that are calling for the state to transition away from fossil energy.

Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators

Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.

The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.

Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.

To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.

To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.

We take on tough fights to protect New Mexico, but these efforts in the State Capitol and around the state require financial resources. We can only win when we work together. Please join other New Mexicans in becoming a Conservation Voter today!

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