Geothermal bill makes it to governor’s desk for second consecutive year

The Senate unanimously passed legislation intended to spur development of geothermal energy on Wednesday. HB 91 now heads to the governor’s desk.  The legislation creates a geothermal projects fund under the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Energy Conservation and Management Division, which will be able to provide grants of up to $250,000 for […]

Geothermal bill makes it to governor’s desk for second consecutive year

The Senate unanimously passed legislation intended to spur development of geothermal energy on Wednesday. HB 91 now heads to the governor’s desk. 

The legislation creates a geothermal projects fund under the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Energy Conservation and Management Division, which will be able to provide grants of up to $250,000 for cost-benefit studies.

The fund could also provide grants to finance a geothermal development project. Grant recipients must be political subdivisions such as counties or municipalities, a state university or a Native American tribe, nation or pueblo. 

Additionally, the bill creates the geothermal projects revolving loan fund, which will be administered by the same entity. In addition to the entities able to receive grant funding, private entities can seek loan funding through that fund.

This is the second consecutive year in which this legislation has passed with unanimous support from the Senate. Both years have seen limited opposition from the House of Representatives. This year, five members of the House voted against the bill. Last year, three members voted against it.

While it made it to the governor’s desk last year, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed the bill. That means she did not sign it during the period of time allotted for signing bills.

However, Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, who has been a champion of geothermal energy and a sponsor of HB 91, said Lujan Grisham has indicated she will sign the legislation this year.

“We’ve met with the governor’s staff over the interim, and are assured that all of her questions have been resolved,” he said.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

‘Not only draconian… immoral’: NM legislators, advocates talk Trump deportation plans

‘Not only draconian… immoral’: NM legislators, advocates talk Trump deportation plans

Perhaps the most vilified population in the United States during the first Trump Administration were immigrants. This vilification is only rising. Trump plans to…
State Rep. Alcon steps down, cites health concerns

State Rep. Alcon steps down, cites health concerns

State Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon, D-Milan, announced his retirement from the legislature Saturday citing health issues as the reason. The retirement was effective immediately.…
Politics Newsletter: potential immigration legislation

Politics Newsletter: potential immigration legislation

Hello fellow political junkies! New Mexico immigrant advocacy groups announced their legislative proposals during a press conference Nov. 22. The proposals include not allowing…
PNM plans to build a new solar facility in northwest New Mexico

PNM plans to build a new solar facility in northwest New Mexico

A new solar and battery storage facility known as the Sunbelt Project could be coming to the Central Consolidated School District in northwest New…
NM launches phase two of rebate program on Black Friday

NM launches phase two of rebate program on Black Friday

People looking to upgrade to new energy-efficient appliances may be in luck this Black Friday. The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department…
NMED releases final strategic water supply feasibility study

NMED releases final strategic water supply feasibility study

More details are now available about a controversial plan to use treated produced and brackish water for industrial purposes. Produced water is a byproduct…
Head Start could be threatened under Trump

Head Start could be threatened under Trump

A popular program that enjoys bipartisan support, Head Start, could be under threat under a second Donald Trump administration. Project 2025 calls for the…
MLG speaks about education during oil, gas industry meeting

MLG speaks about education during oil, gas industry meeting

New Mexico produces the second highest amount of oil and gas in the country. The taxes from oil and gas production provide funding for…
Early childhood summit convened to discuss future of program

Early childhood summit convened to discuss future of program

About 200 people from tribal governors to legislators to advocates and teachers gathered at Bishop’s Lodge to discuss Early Childhood Education’s future in New…
Heinrich introduces legislation to address affordable housing

Heinrich introduces legislation to address affordable housing

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, introduced legislation in the Senate on Monday that would provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional…
New Mexico in critical nursing shortage

New Mexico in critical nursing shortage

With 8,800 nurse positions posted for hiring in New Mexico, hospital leadership told the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday that access…
As rhetoric around undocumented workers heats up, new report shows their tax contribution

As rhetoric around undocumented workers heats up, new report shows their tax contribution

A nonprofit group released data showing how much taxes migrants pay in the U.S. as rhetoric on immigration grows more prominent just months from…
Abortion care: What’s at risk under a second Trump term

Abortion care: What’s at risk under a second Trump term

With a Republican trifecta going forward, the right to an abortion and the ability to obtain one will be at high risk even in…
Indigenous Women Rising rebrands amid decrease in donations and increased costs

Indigenous Women Rising rebrands amid decrease in donations and increased costs

Indigenous Women Rising, a grassroots abortion fund provider supporting Native individuals, is experiencing a decrease in donations while, simultaneously, an increase in those needing…
U.S. Supreme Court has one bodily autonomy case on its docket

U.S. Supreme Court has one bodily autonomy case on its docket

With the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to hear one reproductive rights case this term, the high court has only one case on its docket…
Stansbury announces bill to expand medical residencies in Tribal communities

Stansbury announces bill to expand medical residencies in Tribal communities

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury introduced a bill that would provide $4 million annually to create an office within the Indian Health Service to oversee…
Sexual assault helpline launches during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Sexual assault helpline launches during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A new, dedicated statewide sexual assault helpline officially went live on Monday. The New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs launched the helpline to…
Golden Opportunity to use community collaboration to battle opioid epidemic

Golden Opportunity to use community collaboration to battle opioid epidemic

The opioid epidemic is easing in the Albuquerque area and more help is on the way, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.…
New Mexico completes election canvass, two recounts triggered

New Mexico completes election canvass, two recounts triggered

The State Canvass Board certified the New Mexico 2024 general election results Tuesday in Santa Fe. The board, comprised of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham,…
LGBTQ rights: What’s at risk under a second Trump term

LGBTQ rights: What’s at risk under a second Trump term

Within the first two days after the general election earlier this month, LGBTQ crisis lines in the U.S. experienced a 700 percent increase in…
Politics Newsletter: Election recap

Politics Newsletter: Election recap

Hello fellow political junkies! The election is over (finally) but the work of government continues as does the work of covering and chronicling the…
Artificial Intelligence regulation under Trump

Artificial Intelligence regulation under Trump

As artificial intelligence becomes more commonplace, Congress is attempting to put in place some regulations designed to mitigate against potential risks. Proponents of the…
Trump likely to change regs protecting against sex-based discrimination in schools

Trump likely to change regs protecting against sex-based discrimination in schools

President-elect Donald Trump is likely to return the regulation, Title IX, that protects against sex-based discrimination, to previous rules which could harm LGBTQ individuals…
‘Not only draconian… immoral’: NM legislators, advocates talk Trump deportation plans

‘Not only draconian… immoral’: NM legislators, advocates talk Trump deportation plans

Perhaps the most vilified population in the United States during the first Trump Administration were immigrants. This vilification is only rising. Trump plans to…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report