Powering New Mexico’s Future

A BLUEPRINT FOR NEW MEXICO'S FUTURE

Sam Bregman’s Energy Solutions for New Mexico

Plan for New Mexico’s Energy Future

New Mexico is at an energy crossroads. Families face increasing utility bills, our outdated grid struggles to deliver reliable power, and too many communities are left behind even as the state exports vast amounts of energy. Oil and gas revenues have long funded schools and health care, but they also leave us vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles and pollution that threatens our clean air and water, land, and health – and the foundations of our economy. Meanwhile, climate change is already drying our rivers, worsening wildfires, and making summers more dangerous. At the same time, New Mexico’s clean energy sources remain underdeveloped, meaning we are missing out on jobs and investment that could benefit families and grow our economy.

I believe New Mexico can do better and I will fight to make sure our resources work for our people. That means diversifying our energy sources to protect the revenues that fund education and child care today while investing in the clean energy and infrastructure that will power our future. It means holding polluters accountable, ensuring fairness for workers and communities, and seizing every opportunity to cut costs for families.

Above all, it means leadership that puts people first, solves problems instead of playing politics, balances competing concerns fairly, delivers results through innovation and pragmatism instead of ideology, and makes New Mexico the energy capital of the future.

As governor, I will:

Modernize the grid and transmission. Upgrade New Mexico’s outdated grid and build the transmission lines we need so families have reliable power, lower bills, and our state can sell clean energy across the West.
Make New Mexico the energy capital of the future. Expand solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, and clean-tech manufacturing to lower costs for families, create good-paying jobs, and attract billions in new investment.
Make oil and gas work for New Mexico’s future. While oil and gas still provide jobs and revenue today, I will hold the industry to modern standards, plugging orphan wells, cutting methane, strengthening oversight, and powering operations with cleaner energy – while using today’s revenues to invest in the clean energy future.
Lower costs for families and businesses. We’ll cut monthly utility bills for households and small businesses by covering energy-saving upgrades, making solar affordable, and ensuring that New Mexicans – not out-of-state buyers – get the benefits of our clean power first.
Invest in workers and communities: We’ll make sure the clean energy transition delivers good jobs, training, and new investments in rural, Tribal, and oil- and gas-dependent communities so that every part of New Mexico benefits.

Modernize the Grid and Transmission

Every New Mexican depends on reliable, affordable electricity to keep the lights on, power our homes, and run small businesses. But today, much of our power system is outdated. The grid – the web of power lines, poles, and substations that deliver electricity to every home – is straining as our population grows and more powerintensive businesses like AI data centers arrive. Meanwhile, there aren’t enough long-distance transmission lines that carry electricity from big solar and wind farms to towns and cities. Without upgrading both the grid and transmission lines, New Mexicans will keep facing higher bills, more outages, and missed opportunities to grow our economy by selling our clean energy to other states or attracting businesses here. Fixing our outdated grid is a problem we can solve with practical steps, not political fights.

As governor, I will:

Fast-track 1,000 miles of new transmission lines. New Mexico has some of the strongest solar and wind resources in the country, but we lack the infrastructure to move that power where it’s needed. In 2022, experts estimated that we needed at least 900 to 1,300 miles of new transmission lines just to unlock our renewable energy potential – an investment that would create thousands of jobs and more than $1 billion in new economic activity. Without enough lines, projects stall, investors look elsewhere, and families lose out on the jobs, tax revenue, and affordable clean energy growth that should be built here at home. I will:
Put one team in charge. Big transmission projects shouldn’t get lost in a maze of agencies. I’ll appoint a Clean Energy Fast-Track Coordinator to cut through the red tape and keep projects like SunZia and Western Spirit on track.
Set a “shot clock” on state permit reviews so projects get timely decisions. One of the biggest barriers to building in New Mexico is the slow and unpredictable permitting process. Projects can get stuck in red tape for years, driving up costs, scaring off investors, and keeping families from the jobs and revenue clean energy should deliver. That’s why I’ll apply a “shot clock” to permitting. Just like in basketball, the shot clock keeps the game moving – without it, play stalls. Regulators will still have full authority to approve, reject, or request changes to projects, but they’ll have to make those decisions on time. This reform puts problem-solving over ideology: It provides procedural fairness to give everyone a chance to be heard, make timely decisions, and stick with them so we can move forward and deliver benefits for New Mexico families.
Put landowners First to build transmission faster. I will speed up transmission by making sure landowners and communities see real benefits and come out ahead. I will make sure families can choose steady yearly payments from developers or a one-time check. The state will provide property tax relief if values are affected, and developers will be required to contribute to community impact funds that reinvest back into schools, roads, and local services. As under the new federal standard, every landowner will also receive a clear Bill of Rights and know that developers must follow a code of conduct. To cut down on the door-to-door grind, New Mexico will also identify preferred transmission corridors up front and provide a fair, neutral process whereby landowners can negotiate together instead of one by one. And, I will create a Landowner Advocate to provide clear information, fair mediation, and trusted guidance. Families shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their land and powering New Mexico’s future. They should get both and getting it right will mean projects get built faster. For example, Texas’s Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) approach designated clear corridors, engaged landowners early, and ensured fair compensation. As a result, Texas built over 2,300 miles of high-voltage lines in less than a decade – much faster than the 15 years typical for U.S. grid projects. That model shows that fairness and speed go hand-in-hand: When landowners trust the process to treat them fairly, projects move faster and everyone wins.
Prevent blackouts and stabilize prices with grid upgrades. Families across New Mexico already face higher bills and frequent outages because our grid is outdated and overextended. As demand grows from electric vehicles, data centers, and new manufacturing, reliability will get worse without major upgrades. If we don’t act now, households will keep paying more for less reliable service. I will:
Upgrade the grid without raising rate by creating a dedicated Grid Fund. Too many families, especially in rural and Tribal communities, face blackouts because of aging infrastructure, and new demands from data centers and advanced manufacturing will only make things worse. I’ll create a fund to help rural co-ops and local utilities modernize aging lines and poles, while also investing in bigger substations and interconnection points across the state so that our grid can handle new growth. That way, families and small businesses get more reliable service today, and New Mexico is ready for the growth of tomorrow, all without hidden costs on household bills.
Store clean energy to lower bills. Too often, excess wind and solar power goes to waste. I’ll require utilities to plan for large-scale battery storage so it actually gets built instead of pushed off, and I’ll provide financial help so local utilities and communities can install it. That way, the clean power we generate during the day can be saved and used at night, keeping prices stable and preventing blackouts. California has already proven this works: During the September 2022 heat wave, batteries helped power over 3 million homes and prevent rolling blackouts.
Hold utilities accountable for reliability. Families deserve to know how often the lights go out and what’s being done to fix it. I’ll require utilities to publish clear, easy-to-understand outage and reliability reports. And I’ll appoint commissioners to the Public Regulation Commission who believe families shouldn’t be asked to pay more when service is getting worse.
Turn energy exports into revenue for schools and jobs. Right now, too much of the power we generate in New Mexico can’t be sold to other states. That means we miss out on billions in potential economic activity and tax revenue. With the right grid in place, we can sell our surplus clean energy across the West, lower costs at home, and use the proceeds to fund schools, roads, and jobs.
Negotiate long-term export agreements with Arizona, California, and Nevada so that New Mexico becomes a supplier of clean power across the West.
Dedicate a share of new transmission and renewable tax revenue to public schools and local governments, ensuring exports directly fund education and community needs.
Use surplus clean power as an incentive to attract manufacturers and data centers, pitching New Mexico as the state with the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable electricity in the country.

Make New Mexico the Energy Capital of the Future – Lowering Energy Costs, Creating Jobs, and Growing the Economy

New Mexico has some of the strongest solar, wind, and geothermal resources in the entire country. We already produce about half of our in-state electricity from clean energy sources: That’s real progress, showing that homegrown clean power can lower costs. But too much potential is being left on the table. Unless we keep expanding, families will face higher bills – one large utility already has rate hikes approved for 2025 and 2026 that will add about $150 a year to the average household bill.

By building on our natural strengths, New Mexico can become the nation’s clean energy capital, lowering energy costs for families while attracting billions in private investment and creating good-paying jobs.

As governor, I will:

Grow clean-tech manufacturing. Clean energy isn’t just about producing electricity – it’s also about building the equipment that makes it possible. Manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and transmission equipment can create thousands of high-wage, long-term jobs right here in New Mexico. Instead of importing these parts from overseas, we can make them ourselves, keeping billions of dollars in our economy and lowering energy costs over time. New Mexico is primed to do this with our world-class labs, skilled workforce, and abundant clean power that manufacturers want. I will:
Prepare industrial sites to get to work quicker. We’ll expand and strengthen the Site Readiness program, which does the behind-the-scenes work of preparing land for major employers – extending water, power, and roads; securing permits; and clearing legal hurdles. By creating industrial parks near transmission hubs, we cut costs for companies (who need cheap, reliable power) and ensure the projects deliver affordable energy and jobs back to New Mexicans.
Target incentives to clean-tech jobs. Tools like the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) and the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) have worked to attract employers, but they aren’t always focused on the industries we need most. I will direct these funds toward clean-tech manufacturing and expand them if needed – offering grants or tax credits tied directly to companies that hire New Mexicans at good wages and invest in long-term facilities. If companies don’t deliver, they pay the money back.
Build supply chains around anchor manufacturers. New Mexico already has leading companies like Array Technologies, which makes solar trackers, and Arcosa, which manufactures wind towers. I will work with them to attract suppliers to locate nearby – for example, steel fabricators, electronics manufacturers, or battery-pack assembly. Creating clusters makes it cheaper for companies to operate, strengthens the whole industry, and means better-paying jobs in construction, operations, and engineering.
Expand solar and wind power. Wind and solar account for about half of New Mexico’s in-state electricity generation, and thanks to the Energy Transition Act our utilities are required to reach 50% renewables by 2030 and 100% carbon-free power by 2045. But many solar and wind projects are stalled because of financing, timing, and infrastructure gaps. When projects don’t get built, families lose out on cheaper power and new jobs. I will:
Expand state incentives for solar and wind development. The Trump Administration and DC Republicans have rolled back federal clean-energy tax credits, putting projects at risk. I will expand state economic development tools – like grants, refundable tax credits, or LEDA project agreements – so that projects still move forward. This keeps investment flowing and protects families from higher bills.
Get sites shovel-ready. I will expand the state’s Site Readiness program so that more land near existing transmission lines is pre-permitted and infrastructureready. That lowers costs for developers, shortens timelines, and delivers cheaper, more reliable power to families.
Streamline Permitting with a Fast Track Project Coordinator. As with expanding our transmission capacity generally, solar and wind developers face a patchwork of approvals from multiple agencies, which drives up costs and delays projects. My new Clean Energy Fast-Track Coordinator will help speed this up, and I will apply a “shot clock” so regulators make decisions on time. Regulators will still have full authority to approve, reject, or require changes, but decisions will be made on schedule.
Require storage with new big projects. It’s not just local utilities that need to develop battery storage capacity to support clean energy expansion: I will require large solar and wind farms supported by the state to include battery storage. This keeps prices stable by making clean power available in the evening when families need it most, instead of letting it go to waste during the day.
Build on geothermal and hydrogen potential. New Mexico is sitting on some of the best untapped energy resources in the country. Our geology gives us strong geothermal potential, and our oil and gas expertise positions us to lead on hydrogen as well. With Sandia and Los Alamos labs, a skilled workforce, and proven energy know-how, New Mexico can be at the forefront of the next wave of clean energy innovation. Done right, these technologies will create good-paying jobs, bring new investment, and lower energy costs for families.
Scale up geothermal pilots. New Mexico already has promising geothermal projects in development, including work with national labs and at universities. I will expand these efforts by funding new pilot projects, from electricity generation to direct heating, in areas with strong resources.
Develop clean hydrogen responsibly. Hydrogen can be produced from renewable power (“green hydrogen”) or from natural gas with carbon capture (“blue hydrogen”). Both are part of New Mexico’s future, and both are already being tested in early projects here. I will expand these efforts by supporting state–industry–lab partnerships to scale up pilots where they are cost-competitive and meet real needs, especially in hard-to-electrify sectors like trucking and manufacturing. Because water is limited in New Mexico, projects will also be required to use non-freshwater sources, such as recycled wastewater, produced water from oil and gas, or brackish groundwater and meet strict efficiency standards. With the right safeguards, hydrogen can help us test new technologies, create jobs, and attract investment without burdening families with higher bills.
Create an Innovation Energy Grant Fund. All communities across New Mexico should benefit from these new industries, not just a few. I will create a competitive grant program that Tribal Nations, local governments, and regional partnerships can use to pursue geothermal, hydrogen, or solar projects that meet their needs. Whether it’s a geothermal heating system for a school or a hydrogen fueling project along freight corridors, the state will back projects that deliver affordable energy and local jobs.
Study advanced nuclear with safeguards. New nuclear technologies could provide steady, carbonfree power and good-paying jobs, but they raise real concerns about safety and waste. I will convene a statewide task force of scientists, Tribal leaders, labor, and community voices to study these technologies, and set strict guardrails on siting, waste handling, and community consent before any project moves forward, learning from states that are already testing small modular reactors.

Make Oil and Gas Work for New Mexico’s Future-Pragmatism not Ideology

Oil and gas play a critical role in keeping energy reliable and affordable while we build the clean system of the future. They also provide nearly 40 percent of New Mexico’s state budget for education, health care, and public safety – funding that families, schools, and hospitals rely on today. We must diversify and cannot remain this dependent on carbon sources forever – in fact, production is projected to decline sometime in the next decade. As outlined, I am committed to moving New Mexico into the clean energy future, while supporting responsible oil and gas development. Many companies do act responsibly and I will work to make sure that every company does by containing methane emissions, protecting air and water, and implementing clear, modern rules that allow them to operate efficiently. As Governor, I will make sure that the industry is well-regulated and work to make it cleaner every year, while using today’s revenues to invest in innovation, diversify our economy, and prepare communities for the day when New Mexico’s prosperity comes from many sources, not just one. Governing with pragmatism instead of ideology means balancing today’s realities with tomorrow’s goals.

As governor, I will:

Create jobs for oilfield workers through cleanup of orphan and inactive wells. New Mexico has thousands of abandoned or inactive wells that leak methane, threaten groundwater, and leave taxpayers holding the bag. Families pay the price in contaminated land and water while lawmakers raid the cleanup fund for other uses. At the same time, too many operators have been allowed to walk away from their responsibilities. Federal infrastructure dollars have already delivered $25 million to New Mexico, enabling oilfield service crews to plug nearly 200 orphan wells, and protecting land, water, and jobs. That’s progress, but with more than 1,700 orphan wells statewide, it’s only a start. I will:
Secure more funding to clean up wells. I’ll protect the State Reclamation Fund – nearly $70 million collected from oil and gas companies – by law so it can only be used to plug and clean up abandoned wells, not raided for other projects. I’ll also raise bonding requirements, in a careful, structured manner so companies can put down enough money up front to cover cleanup if or when their wells run dry, instead of leaving taxpayers with the bill. And I’ll make sure New Mexico secures a fair share of the hundreds of millions still available in federal cleanup grants, so families and communities get the clean water, safe land, and jobs they deserve.
Turn cleanup into jobs for oilfield workers. I will build on the federal program that has already created reclamation work in New Mexico by launching a statewide jobs program that hires laid-off or underemployed oil and gas workers to plug wells and restore land. This keeps skilled workers employed, protects water, and provides steady paychecks close to home.
Put old wells to new use. Many inactive wells can be safely repurposed – for example, turning them into geothermal energy wells that produce clean power, or using them to store captured carbon. I’ll direct state agencies and researchers to pursue these options, so we don’t just clean up the past, but also create new energy opportunities for the future.
Hold polluters accountable. Every New Mexican deserves clean air and safe water. But too often, oil and gas operations that cut corners put both at risk. Methane leaks from wells and pipelines don’t just waste a resource that should fund our schools – they also release other toxic pollutants that trigger asthma and harm heart and lung health. And when bad operators illegally dump drilling waste or chemicals, they can contaminate soil, poison groundwater, and leave nearby families and farmers bearing the cost. Most producers follow the rules, but enforcement is too weak against those who don’t, allowing polluters to treat penalties as just another cost of doing business. Under my leadership, New Mexico will:
Lead the nation in methane enforcement. I will use proven tools like aerial surveys, infrared cameras, and satellite detection so that methane leaks are identified quickly, and the results are made public.
Impose real penalties on bad actors. I will raise fines so that it always costs more to break the law than to follow it, ending the practice of polluters treating penalties as just another business expense.
Work hand in hand with communities. I will partner with residents, Tribes, and frontline communities to spot problems early, make enforcement transparent, and hold repeat offenders accountable.
Modernize oil and gas oversight with more staff and smarter processes. Oil and gas oversight in New Mexico is stretched too thin, with both state regulators and the Bureau of Land Management facing staff shortages and backlogs. Without enough staff, polluters can get by unchecked, while responsible operators get stuck in delays and confusing paperwork. I will:
Hire and train more regulators. I will add more permit reviewers and inspectors, paid for with industry fees, so that enforcement is tough, fair, and consistent.
Streamline reviews without weakening standards. For example, this can include pre-application screening, standardized forms, and checklists to cut down on errors, as well as clear service standards so that reviews are predictable and transparent to the public.
Support the Bureau of Land Management on federal lands. I will expand cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which issues drilling permits and oversees oil and gas development on federal land, so that state regulators can help BLM identify problems early, share data, and avoid duplication while keeping federal reviews thorough and lawful.
Create a Balanced Advisory Forum. I will bring local communities, Tribes, environmental advocates, industry, and other key stakeholders together to recommend improvements, while final authority will always rest with the state on state and private lands, and with BLM on federal lands.
Modernize oil and gas operations with clean power. Much of New Mexico’s oil and gas industry still runs on diesel generators that pollute the air, create noise, and waste fuel. By connecting operations to the electrical grid and using clean power, we can cut emissions, improve local air quality, and lower costs for producers. I will:
Spur incentives to create sustainable operations. I will build on existing incentives to encourage operators to decarbonize and retrofit equipment to use renewable energy and to build and/or employ on site solar and battery energy
Bring reliable power to energy communities. I will work with utilities and the Public Regulation Commission to extend power lines in oil- and gas-producing regions so that families, schools, and small businesses get more reliable service – and operators connect to the grid instead of running dirty diesel generators. Oil companies will pay for their hookups, while communities benefit from stronger local infrastructure and cleaner air.
Remove barriers to clean power. I will direct the Public Regulation Commission to modernize line-extension tariffs so that oil companies still cover the full cost of connecting but can spread payments out over time and share costs when multiple operators use the same line. This removes financial barriers that keep sites on diesel, while ensuring that families aren’t stuck with the bill and communities benefit from cleaner air and more reliable power.
Use today’s revenues to power tomorrow’s clean energy. Oil and gas revenues will not last at today’s levels forever. I will direct a portion of current revenues into clean energy projects and workforce development, so that New Mexico uses today’s boom to build the industries of the future.

Lower Costs for Families and Businesses

Energy prices in New Mexico are rising, and many households – especially in rural and Tribal communities – face high energy burdens because homes are older, inefficient, or costly to heat and cool. Small businesses encounter the same pressures, with energy costs eating into their margins and outages disrupting operations. Expanding clean energy and strengthening our grid – as outlined above – will help over time. But we also need policies that make sure that those savings show up on bills today.

As governor, I will:

Cut home energy bills. Too many homes rely on outdated appliances or poor insulation, driving up monthly bills. I will:
Cover the cost of insulation, air sealing, and efficient appliances by expanding rebate and weatherization programs so that households can cut bills immediately without a large upfront expense they can’t afford to take on.
Let families pay for solar and batteries over time on their utility bills by creating a statewide on-bill financing program. Utilities would cover the upfront cost of installing solar panels or home batteries, and families would repay the cost in small monthly amounts added to their bill. Because the savings from lower energy use offset much of the payment, households see lower bills right away without needing thousands of dollars upfront.
Guarantee that New Mexicans get a fair share of affordable renewable power by requiring regulators to tie new transmission and export agreements to mandates that utilities reserve cheaper in-state rates first.
Cut energy bills for small businesses. Energy is one of the biggest costs small businesses face, and outages in rural areas make it even harder. I will:
Provide grants and tax credits for efficient equipment like lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration, funded through state economic development programs so that businesses can cut monthly bills.
Give businesses affordable financing for rooftop solar and storage by expanding the state’s loan programs to include clean energy, helping small businesses lock in predictable, lower energy costs.
Build shared solar and battery projects with rural electric coops by directing state funds and federal grants to support community-scale installations to which local businesses can subscribe.
Help big employers upgrade old equipment. Provide state incentives so manufacturers and other large employers replace wasteful pumps, motors, and refrigeration systems with modern equipment, lowering their bills and reducing emissions while keeping jobs in New Mexico.

Invest in Workers and Communities

Diversifying our energy mix will only succeed if it lifts up New Mexicans in every part of the state. That means making sure the jobs created are good jobs that go to local workers, that rural and Tribal communities share in the benefits, and that regions long dependent on oil and gas are supported, not abandoned – because leadership is about bringing people together and finding solutions that work for all communities.

As governor, I will:

Require local Hiring and community benefits. Too often, big projects bring in outside contractors and leave little behind once construction ends. Communities see the disruption but not the benefits. I will provide financial incentives for large energy and transmission projects to sign Project Labor Agreements and Community Benefit Agreements that can guarantee good jobs, local hiring, investments in roads, schools, or other priorities.
Expand apprenticeships and training. New jobs in clean energy and advanced manufacturing require skills that too many New Mexicans don’t yet have. Without training, companies will look out-of-state to fill positions. I will partner with employers, labor unions, community colleges, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to expand training pipelines that lead to a job, including apprenticeships in the building trades, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing so that young people can earn while they learn. I will also provide stipends and childcare support so working parents can participate in retraining programs.
Support rural and Tribal leadership in energy projects. Rural and Tribal communities often see energy projects built on their land but don’t see the benefits. Without direct support, they risk being left behind. I will provide grants and technical assistance for tribal and rural communities to plan and own their own energy projects. I will also ensure that state permitting processes respect Tribal sovereignty and give communities a seat at the table from the start.
Help oil- and gas-dependent regions to diversify. Counties that rely on oil and gas revenue face risks over time as production fluctuates and eventually declines. I will partner with local leaders to attract new industries with high-paying jobs, from clean energy manufacturing to tourism and tech, so that these regions have multiple sources of growth. State assistance can include financial incentives and community investments, including in roads, bridges, and more to make sure rural and oil-producing counties can compete for new employers.