New Mexico Governor Tasks State Lawmakers with Energy, Infrastructure, and Housing Legislation1/19/2024 A greater abundance of advanced energy technologies, as well as increased state funding for infrastructure projects, are among the marquee items to be voted on by members of the New Mexico State Legislature in the next month. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in a State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the legislative session, is specifically calling for the dedication of up to 2% out of the state's Severance Tax Permanent Fund to back advanced energy technology projects. That funding, which would amount to $170 million, will "catapult forward the advanced energy sources of the future," said the Governor, specifically referring to "hydrogen, geothermal, and next-generation battery storage," and in so doing will further commit "our state to the climate goals of the country." The Severance Tax Permanent Fund, which was created by lawmakers in 1973, is designed to serve as a depository for severance taxes that are not being used to pay down bonds for capital outlay projects. The dollar worth of that fund as of early last year was in the neighborhood of $6.6 billion. Taking note of the current historic availability of funding coming out of Washington for any number of infrastructure projects, Lujan Grisham also wants to see lawmakers approve some $100 million to support an infrastructure matching fund in order that "communities don't have any federal money on the table for lack of a local match." The Governor also proposed an appropriation of $55 million to "continue expanding a widespread charging infrastructure network for electric vehicles." Lujan Grisham added that "charging an electric car or truck in New Mexico should be as easy and convenient as pumping gas." The Governor said she would also like to tackle the ongoing issue of a lack of affordable housing in New Mexico via the establishment of an Office for Housing that would serve as a one-stop shop for housing developers and contractors. In this way, the office would streamline a process that often requires the involvement of multiple agencies. On the complicated matter of local zoning codes that are oftentimes one of the most troublesome obstacles to home building, Lujan Grisham was direct: "I am asking the legislature to require local governments to institute zoning and permitting requirements that meet national best standards." "Nobody should be prevented from building vital housing," the Governor added. "And nobody should be shut out of a place to live because of outdated and overlapping regulations." Lawmakers have a brief four weeks in which to pass legislature before the end of the winter 2024 session on February 15. A greater abundance of advanced energy technologies, as well as increased state funding for infrastructure projects, are among the marquee items to be voted on by members of the New Mexico State Legislature in the next month. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in a State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the legislative session, is specifically calling for the dedication of up to 2% out of the state's Severance Tax Permanent Fund to back advanced energy technology projects. That funding, which would amount to $170 million, will "catapult forward the advanced energy sources of the future," said the Governor, specifically referring to "hydrogen, geothermal, and next-generation battery storage," and in so doing will further commit "our state to the climate goals of the country." The Severance Tax Permanent Fund, which was created by lawmakers in 1973, is designed to serve as a depository for severance taxes that are not being used to pay down bonds for capital outlay projects. The dollar worth of that fund as of early last year was in the neighborhood of $6.6 billion. Taking note of the current historic availability of funding coming out of Washington for any number of infrastructure projects, Lujan Grisham also wants to see lawmakers approve some $100 million to support an infrastructure matching fund in order that "communities don't have any federal money on the table for lack of a local match." The Governor also proposed an appropriation of $55 million to "continue expanding a widespread charging infrastructure network for electric vehicles." Lujan Grisham added that "charging an electric car or truck in New Mexico should be as easy and convenient as pumping gas." The Governor said she would also like to tackle the ongoing issue of a lack of affordable housing in New Mexico via the establishment of an Office for Housing that would serve as a one-stop shop for housing developers and contractors. In this way, the office would streamline a process that often requires the involvement of multiple agencies. On the complicated matter of local zoning codes that are oftentimes one of the most troublesome obstacles to home building, Lujan Grisham was direct: "I am asking the legislature to require local governments to institute zoning and permitting requirements that meet national best standards." "Nobody should be prevented from building vital housing," the Governor added. "And nobody should be shut out of a place to live because of outdated and overlapping regulations." Lawmakers have a brief four weeks in which to pass legislature before the end of the winter 2024 session on February 15. By Garry Boulard
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