SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed an executive order establishing the New Mexico Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council to address the rising cost of electricity in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

The Council will convene state agency leaders, utility executives and experts in rural cooperative utilities, tribal energy, consumer advocacy, and energy policy and infrastructure to develop strategies for keeping energy affordable while ensuring the grid can meet the demands of a growing, modernizing New Mexico economy.

“At a time of dramatically rising energy prices, it’s imperative that we do everything we can to protect New Mexico ratepayers while ensuring abundant clean energy supply,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “The experts I’ve appointed to the New Mexico Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council are well-positioned to make smart, insightful recommendations and I look forward to their findings.”

The Council will evaluate and recommend strategies across four interconnected areas:

• Ratepayer protection: Ensuring that large-load growth — including data centers and onshore manufacturing — does not disproportionately increase costs for residential, rural, tribal and small business customers.
• Grid modernization and reliability: Recommending rate designs and financing strategies that enable prudent infrastructure investment while minimizing long-term rate escalation.
• Clean energy progress: Advancing New Mexico’s net-zero goals under the Energy Transition Act by expanding zero-carbon generation and storage while maintaining affordable access.
• Permitting efficiency: Identifying opportunities to streamline and coordinate state and local permitting for electricity infrastructure — accelerating deployment of clean energy projects without compromising environmental review, tribal consultation, or regulatory safeguards.

The Council will deliver a final report — including legislative, regulatory and administrative recommendations — to the Governor and the Legislature by November 1, 2026.

The Council consists of 13 members representing state government, utilities, rural cooperatives, tribal communities and independent experts:

• Erin Taylor, acting secretary, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
• Rob Black, secretary, Economic Development Department
• Cholla Khoury, chief of staff, Public Regulation Commission
• Lynn Mostoller, executive director, Renewable Energy Transmission Authority
• Sunalei Stewart, deputy commissioner for operations, State Land Office
• Don Tarry, president and CEO, TXNM Energy (PNM)
• Kelly A. Tomblin, president and CEO, El Paso Electric
• Zoe Lees, regional vice president, regulatory policy, Xcel Energy
• Vince Martinez, CEO, New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association
• Javier Bucobo, vice president of markets and regulatory affairs, Avangrid (grid infrastructure expert)
• Joseph Yar, attorney, Velarde & Yar (consumer/ratepayer advocate)
• Sandra Begay Keeto, retired, Sandia National Laboratories; member, Navajo Nation (tribal energy expert)
• Rep. Meredith Dixon, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 20 (energy policy expert)

The Council is administratively attached to the Department of Finance and Administration. Members will serve without compensation, other than per diem and mileage as permitted by law.

The executive order can be viewed here.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Republican candidate for governor Duke Rodriguez is suing Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham over her executive order that started universal free child care before a new law takes effect.

The governor enacted the program through executive order in November.

Lawmakers passed a universal child care law during the past session, but that law does not take effect until May 20.

Rodriguez says he objects to some of the rules and to how the governor started the program. The suit asks the Second Judicial District Court to prohibit further enforcement of any regulations tied to the program. 

“You could understand an outgoing governor trying to do it for political capital, for expediency just to say, I’m first in the nation.” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez says he is confident he will win and that the rules he is challenging will be struck down.

“We also now have what we call pre emptive eligibility, which means you don’t even have to prove you’re eligible and you’re covered the moment you walk in,” Rodriguez said. “All of those things individually and collectively that have been proposed and changed probably invite fraud, waste and abuse and you know it.”

The governor’s office responds

The governor’s office sent a statement saying the program was properly implemented and that the governor is confident the lawsuit will be rejected.

A spokesperson for the governor sent KOB 4 the following statement:

“This lawsuit makes clear that Mr. Rodriguez has a fundamental misunderstanding how state government works.  He states that ECECD did not have the authority to undergo rulemaking regarding universal childcare. They do. He states that ECECD did not have the funding to implement the program when they did their rulemaking. They did. That is why the program was operational in December – before the 2026 Legislative session started.  Perhaps more importantly, the lawsuit ignores that the legislature passed SB 241, which codified the program and its future funding into law. The governor is confident that the courts will reject his meritless claims.“

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In this Love 4 Pets, we have Woody, Zwei and Kanai, who are all up for adoption at the City of Albuquerque’s shelters.

Woody is looking for a loving home after going through the ringer. He came to Albuquerque Animal Welfare about a month ago after he was hit by a car. He’s healing from some pelvic fractures and is moving slowly so he can hang out in the backyard and go for short walks.

Woody is very smart and can sleep all night. They believe he is about nine years old and is believed to be a Lab mix. He’s very sweet and is house-trained.

Woody is set to be 100% ready soon. You can meet him in the video above or at the Eastside Animal Shelter (details).

We also have Zwei and Kenai.

Zwei:

An Australian Shepherd mix, Zwei is a little tripod who is a great companion, has wonderful manners and loves to lean into you for hugs. She walks beautifully on a leash and doesn’t miss a beat, even with only three legs.

Zwei is currently in foster care. If you are interested in adopting her, contact Albuquerque Animal Welfare to set up a time to visit her.

Kenai:

Kenai is a Labrador retriever mix. He is a friendly, affectionate boy who enjoys being around people and has good manners. He walks well on a leash and is very excited about exploring the world.

Kenai loves attention, toys (especially stuffed animals) and car rides. So, if you’re looking for an adventure buddy, you can meet him at the Westside Animal Shelter (details).