Albuquerque Journal (Jan. 24, 2025) SANTA FE — As one of her first moves in office, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019 signed an executive order seeking to curb greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico.
Six years later, the state isn’t on track to meet the order’s first demand: 45% less greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
That’s part of the reason Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, introduced a Clear Horizons and Greenhouse Gas Emissions bill, which passed its first committee Tuesday morning by a vote of 5-4. The three committee Republicans — who all live in or near the Permian Basin — voted against it, as well as Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces.
“It would be incomprehensible to look at this piece of legislation and think that it would not demonstrably impact the price of energy,” said Sen. James Townsend, R-Artesia.
Stewart repeatedly denied the bill would cause higher energy prices.
Senate Bill 4 would codify the governor’s 2030 emissions limit, as well as add new limits compared to 2005 levels: a 75% reduction by 2040 and a 100% reduction by 2050. Reductions would be prioritized in “overburdened communities,” meaning minority or Native communities, or other communities disproportionately harmed, according to the bill.
SESSION 2025: SB4 GHG Bill Passes Through First Committee
