HOUSE BILL 435

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Matthew McQueen and Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY; REQUIRING THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO PROMULGATE AND IMPLEMENT RULES GOVERNING THE SITING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION, STORAGE AND INTRASTATE TRANSMISSION FACILITIES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 62 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ADDITIONAL PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES.--

          A. The public regulation commission shall promulgate and implement rules to govern the permitting and siting of renewable energy generation, storage and intrastate transmission facilities capable of generating, storing or transmitting more than five megawatts.

          B. The rules shall:

                (1) provide for input from political subdivisions of the state and the public;

                (2) establish a process for evaluating the local impact of renewable energy generation, storage and intrastate transmission facilities on the health, safety and welfare of the community in which the renewable energy facility is to be located; and

                (3) address the scenic, cultural, archaeological and environmental impacts of a public regulation commission decision to issue or deny a permit."

     SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act apply to renewable energy projects that have not received final approval on the date the rules promulgated pursuant to Section 1 of this act take effect.

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