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SANTA FE 鈥� With New Mexicans facing rising electricity rates and hotter weather, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday ordered the creation of a new energy affordability council to provide policy recommendations by later this year.

The 13-member council, which includes Cabinet secretaries and industry executives, will be tasked with studying how the state鈥檚 electrical grid can be updated while protecting ratepayers from cost increases.

The governor鈥檚 establishing the council also cites specific concerns about possible wildfire damage to the state鈥檚 electricity infrastructure.

鈥淎t a time of dramatically rising energy prices, it鈥檚 imperative that we do everything we can to protect New Mexico ratepayers while ensuring abundant clean energy supply,鈥� Lujan Grisham said in a Wednesday statement.

The governor, who attended a two-day Western Governors Association forum in Hawaii this week, has pushed for New Mexico to codify greenhouse gas emission reduction standards while also seeking new markets for the state鈥檚 natural gas supply.

However, her energy-related initiatives have faced scrutiny in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, as the Senate voted down a revised attempt to pass the Clear Horizons Act during this year鈥檚 30-day legislative session. That bill would have enshrined in state law the emission limits ordered by the governor in 2019, but encountered fierce opposition from a coalition of business groups. 

Meanwhile, the governor鈥檚 order establishing the New Mexico Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council also comes amid a debate over data centers, and their thirst for large amounts of water and electricity.

The massive Project Jupiter data center complex under construction in Do帽a Ana County has sparked local protests and divided the local legislative delegation.

Already, most New Mexicans have seen increases to their monthly electricity bills 鈥� under a staggered rate increase approved last year 鈥� to help cover the cost of system expansions for the Public Service Company of New Mexico, or PNM. 

Among the members named to the new council are state Economic Development Secretary Rob Black and acting Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Erin Taylor.

Several industry officials were also appointed to the fledgling group, including El Paso Electric President and CEO Kelly Tomblin, TXNM Energy President and CEO Don Tarry and Javier Bucobo, the vice president of markets and regulatory affairs for Avangrid. 

Avangrid previously sought to acquire New Mexico鈥檚 primary utility company, PNM Resources, but a merger agreement was terminated in 2024 amid regulatory setbacks.

In her Wednesday order, Lujan Grisham tasked the new council with compiling a final report by Nov. 1. The governor is stepping down at the end of this year, as she is barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive term. 

That means it will likely be up to her successor to decide whether to implement any of the new council鈥檚 recommended policy proposals.

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com.