What are your energy concerns? New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council has submitted more than 20 recommendations to protect electricity consumers and boost the power grid as demand continues to rise, the Office of the Governor said.
According to the executive office, the 13-member council developed 22 proposals, including statewide ratepayer protections and a rate framework for large electricity users. These measures aim to prevent households and businesses from shouldering higher costs as major power users connect to the grid.
As provided in a latest press release, the plan calls for broader utilization of technologies that increase capacity of existing transmission lines, in addition to building new lines. The council also proposes incentives for large users to reduce their electricity consumption when the grid faces heavy demand.
Lujan Grisham said the recommendations will “give us a path to protect ratepayers,”expand power supply, and keep the energy clean.
According to the Office of the Governor, the proposals want to protect consumers through bill assistance and support for energy-efficient homes. The measures also prioritize grid reliability and management of large loads. They call for maximizing existing grid capacity, expanding transmission lines and energy storage, integrating renewable energy, and supporting new investments.
A Closer Look at the Council’s Four Areas of Action
Based on the data released on the state website, the Council’s recommendations focus on four interconnected priorities:
- Ratepayer protection: The 13-member group aims to protect residential, rural, Tribal, and small business consumers from unreasonable electricity costs and financial risks as demand grows.
- Grid modernization and reliability: The council seeks to strengthen state electricity infrastructure through more effective use of existing transmission assets, energy storage, grid-enhancing technologies, improved regional coordination, and investments in wildfire resilience. It also explores financing options to modernize the grid while keeping costs manageable for customers.
- Clean energy progress: The body supports New Mexico’s long term transition to a zero carbon electricity system without sacrificing affordability or reliability. It recommends giving utilities more flexibility to meet interim clean energy requirements through technology neutral zero carbon options.
- Permitting Efficiency: The council aims to improve coordination among agencies and permitting authorities to support timely infrastructure development. It proposes prioritizing projects that deliver measurable benefits to consumers while preserving environmental review, Tribal consultation, public participation, and regulatory safeguards.
According to the Office of the Governor, the report outlines areas where members reached strong agreement and others where they held differing views. It also urges further technical, economic, and environmental studies to help lawmakers and regulators determine how to implement certain proposals.
How the Council Was Formed
On April 22, 2026, Lujan Grisham established the Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council through Executive Order 2026-023. She tasked the body with developing recommendations to address energy affordability, grid reliability, infrastructure investment, and responsible economic development.
The executive office said the governor convened electric utility and rural electric cooperative leaders, along with consumer and ratepayer advocates, to serve on the council. Members also included renewable energy, transmission, grid infrastructure, and Tribal energy experts, as well as state agency, regulatory, and legislative representatives. The council considered affordability, reliability, economic development, and environmental sustainability in developing its recommendations.
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What’s Next
According to the Office of the Governor, the council’s findings will help guide discussions during the 2027 legislative session, which begins in January. The report also gives policymakers, regulators, utilities, communities, and other stakeholders a reference as they weigh New Mexico’s future energy and infrastructure priorities.
Why It Matters
As provided on the state website, New Mexico’s electricity system faces growing demand, emerging industries, and a shift toward cleaner energy. The state must plan carefully and invest in its power infrastructure to keep electricity affordable and reliable for residents.
In the press release, Council Chair Lynn Mostoller, executive director of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, said members brought diverse perspectives and tackled different tradeoffs. She added that they made a comprehensive report by sharing expertise, challenging assumptions, and listening to one another.
Council Vice Chair Don Tarry, president and CEO of TXNM Energy, said the report outlines ways to meet rising electricity demand, strengthen reliability, make better use of existing infrastructure, and keep customer costs in focus, according to the Office of the Governor.
