Maintaining momentum: Clean energy progress in New Mexicos 2026 legislative session

The Clean Air Task Force reports that New Mexico's 2026 legislative session achieved progress in clean energy and environmental protection through targeted investments and legislation, despite a short, budget-focused calendar. Key successes included updating the Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit (HB 154), passing C-PACE financing (HB 165) to support a $1 billion investment by Pacific Fusion, and increasing funding for the oil and gas reclamation fund (HB 80). While the Low-Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act (HB 153) was vetoed by the Governor, the General Appropriation Act of 2026 provided significant funding for geothermal projects ($10 million), grid modernization ($10 million), and low-interest loans for emissions-reducing technologies in underserved communities ($5 million).

• The 2026 legislative session passed several key bills to advance clean energy and environmental restoration: HB 154 updated the Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit to define state-specific qualifying products including solar, wind, batteries, fusion, and critical minerals; HB 165 (C-PACE) supported a $1 billion investment by Pacific Fusion; and HB 80 increased the share of conservation tax revenues dedicated to the oil and gas reclamation fund to plug abandoned wells and restore sites.
• The Low-Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act (HB 153), which aimed to incentivize the purchase of low-carbon construction materials through grants and rebates, was passed by the legislature but subsequently vetoed by Governor Lujan Grisham, who stated she wanted the bill to be more ”agile and adaptive.”

APA

West, D. (2026). Maintaining momentum: Clean energy progress in New Mexicos 2026 legislative session. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2026/03/maintaining-momentum-clean-energy-progress-new-mexicos-2026-legislative-session/

Chicago

West, Dan. Maintaining momentum: Clean energy progress in New Mexicos 2026 legislative session. Clean Air Task Force, 2026. https://www.catf.us/2026/03/maintaining-momentum-clean-energy-progress-new-mexicos-2026-legislative-session/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=West |first1=Dan |title=Maintaining momentum: Clean energy progress in New Mexicos 2026 legislative session |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=27 March 2026 |url=https://www.catf.us/2026/03/maintaining-momentum-clean-energy-progress-new-mexicos-2026-legislative-session/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{west2026maintaining, author = {West, Dan}, title = {{Maintaining momentum: Clean energy progress in New Mexicos 2026 legislative session}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/2026/03/maintaining-momentum-clean-energy-progress-new-mexicos-2026-legislative-session/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }