On January 29, 2019, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order to support the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement by joining the US Climate Alliance, a coalition formed to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. New Mexico's goal is to reduce its GHG emissions by at least 45% by 2030, as compared to 2005 levels. The US Climate Alliance was created in 2017 shortly after the Trump Administration announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement (see Legal Update, US Sends Formal Notice to UN to Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement). New Mexico joins several other states that have committed to reduce their GHG emissions including New York, California and North Carolina (see Legal Updates, North Carolina Adopts Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Governor Cuomo Launches New York's "Green New Deal" Aimed at Reducing Carbon Emissions, and California Adopts Legislation to be Carbon-Free by 2045).

To accomplish its goal, the executive order established an interagency Climate Change Task Force (Task Force). The Secretary (or a designee) of both the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and the Environment Department (NMED) are to serve as the Co-Chairs of the Task Force.

All state agencies are expected to assess the effects of climate change on their programs and operations, as well as implement climate change mitigation and adaption practices. The Task Force is to be made aware of these actions and findings.

EMNRD and NMED are to work on legislation efforts with stakeholders to increase New Mexico's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency standards for electric utilities. The two departments are also tasked with developing a regulatory framework to reduce oil and gas sector methane emissions and prevent waste, as well as coordinating with the New Mexico State Land Office and related federal bureaus and agencies to aid in the advancement of the executive order.

The Task Force is to evaluate policies and regulatory strategies that may aid in accomplishing the states' goal, ultimately creating a New Mexico Climate Strategy document. The executive order includes the following non-exclusive list of such policies and regulatory strategies:

The Task Force must provide its initial recommendations by September 15, 2019.

For more information on climate change, environmental law, renewable energy development, and green real estate, see Practice Notes:

Also, see Legal Updates: