New Mexico

GOP warns of higher gas prices as Lujan Grisham signs ‘clean fuel standard’ bill to law

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

GOP warns of higher gas prices as Lujan Grisham signs ‘clean fuel standard’ bill to law

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham singed a bill Tuesday intended to curb air pollution, but Republicans and fossil fuel industry supporters said the measure could raise gas prices for New Mexico drivers up to 50 cents per gallon.

House Bill 41, Clean Transportation Fuel Standards, would incentivize producers of high-carbon fuel like oil and gas to buy credits from generators or importers of low-carbon fuels to offset the overall pollution intensity of fossil fuel production.

It was intended to cause fossil fuel producers to invest in “cleaner” forms of energy and would call on the Environmental Improvement Board to devise regulations for lowering air pollution from cars and trucks. The legislation targeted reductions in such carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040 from 2018 levels.

More: Tax package could expand renewable energy in New Mexico; Fossil fuels also supported

The bill was supported by Lujan Grisham and her cabinet, including the New Mexico Environment Department which would carry out its requirements, throughout the 2024 Legislative Session despite strong disapproval from the Republican Party.

New Mexico GOP Chair Steve Pearce upon the bill’s signing said it followed similar efforts in other left-leaning states like California and would unfairly burden New Mexico consumers at the pump. He argued the governor and her followers intended to curb the use of fossil fuels in favor for electric vehicles.

“Once again, Gov. Lujan Grisham is leading from behind California,” Pearce said. “How out-of-touch is this governor and the Democratic legislature to expect New Mexicans to pay $4 a gallon for gas when so many can barely afford to feed their families? Is the governor’s strategy to make gas so expensive that New Mexicans start accepting her electric vehicle mandate?”

More: New Mexico capital outlay: Here’s what your county and city gets

Lujan Grisham said the bill would address pollution and help New Mexico meet its goals of addressing climate change, while stimulating the economy and creating new jobs in the “clean energy” by increasing investments in that sector.

“Clean fuel standards not only decrease emissions and move us toward our climate goals, but also diversify our economy and attract new businesses to our state,” she said in a statement after signing the bill into law.

The NMED estimated the program would create 1,600 full-time jobs and 2,300 construction jobs, generating $470 million in wages and bringing $240 million in capital investment to the state from companies supporting by the credits.

More: ‘Renewable’ geothermal energy boosted by bill passed by New Mexico House

Transportation was the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, according to NMED, following only oil and gas production.

The administration touted its efforts to reduce such emissions, adopting various regulations throughout Lujan Grisham’s tenure that were aimed at curbing transportation emissions and propping up the state’s electric vehicle network

“This program establishes a market-based approach to reward those entities that decide to produce and import clean fuels here in New Mexico,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “In order to receive a clean fuel credit, you must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

More: ‘Clean fuels’ bill advances in New Mexico Senate, to make oil companies pay for pollution

Larry Behrens with oil and gas advocacy group Power the Future said the bill would stymie the fossil fuel industry in New Mexico. He argued New Mexico was the second-highest oil producer in the U.S. and its leaders should bolster the industry that accounted for almost half of the state’s revenue in the last fiscal year.

“As a national leader in oil production, New Mexico’s leaders should do all they can to support our energy industry,” Behrens said. “Instead, Santa Fe politicians want to copy failed policies that punish families by driving up prices.”

Environmental groups were quick to celebrate the bills passage, arguing on the day of the signature that the clean fuel standards would take meaningful action to limit environmental damage believed the result of fossil fuel pollution.

More: 2024 Legislative session wrap up: Here’s how energy and environment bills fared

“The introduction of low-carbon alternative fuels, like biodiesel, is a key step in reducing carbon emissions in the transportation industry and will deliver cleaner air and improved health outcomes in real time for New Mexico communities,” said Samantha Kao with Conservation Voters New Mexico.

“We still have a lot of work to do in combating climate pollution and decarbonizing our transportation sector, but this bill is a critical steppingstone in helping us get to a 100% clean energy future.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

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New Mexico

2026 El Santuario de Chimayó and Tomé Hill pilgrimages

Published

10 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

2026 El Santuario de Chimayó and Tomé Hill pilgrimages

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Thousands of people will be making their annual pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo in northern New Mexico and Tomé Hill near Los Lunas Friday morning. The walks are in honor of Good Friday, with many people walking dozens of miles to complete their journey.

Each year many make the trek to the northern New Mexico church or Tomé Hill on Good Friday. Some start their journey in Santa Fe, others walk from as far as Albuquerque. The church in northern New Mexico has been a place of worship since the early 1800’s, bringing thousands from across the state for the chapel, shrine and grounds healing powers. The church is considered to be a sacred site and many believe it holds healing properties. Walkers also take the pilgrimage to Tomé Hill. At the top of the hill are three crosses and a shrine where people pray after making the journey.

Officials remind drivers to expect delays and stay alert on the road.

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New Mexico

School Danger Zones: Data reveals alarming number of shootings near New Mexico schools

Published

23 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

School Danger Zones: Data reveals alarming number of shootings near New Mexico schools

On average, more than once a week, there is a shooting near a school in New Mexico, and nearly half the time, someone is killed.According to data obtained by the Get the Facts Data Team, there have been 833 shootings adjacent to New Mexico’s schools in the past ten years, resulting in 526 people killed.”When you first told me the numbers, I thought I heard you wrong,” said Darren White, former Bernalillo County sheriff and public safety director. “I was shocked that there are so many shootings close proximity to our schools,” White said that numerous state laws make penalties harsher for crimes occurring near schools, including firearm possession and drug dealing. “We put laws in place years ago because we recognize that schools should be sanctuaries, right?” White said.La Mesa Elementary in Albuquerque’s International District leads the list. In the past ten years, there have been 24 shootings within 500 yards of this school, resulting in 20 deaths. However, this school is not alone in being close to gunfire.A map from the data team shows that statewide, Missouri Avenue and Valley View Elementary Schools in Roswell had 11 and 8 shootings, respectively, while Las Montanas Charter and Lynn Middle Schools in Las Cruces both had 8 and 8 respectively.”If it’s being reported that it’s over 800 in this period of time, how many more are taking place that haven’t been reported that we didn’t know about?” White asked. “And so I would argue, like in many of our crime stats, that number is even higher. And, uh … It’s chilling, it really is.”These shooting have either occurred at or close to the shools.For instance, 16-year-old Andrew Burson was killed right next to the football field at West Mesa High School. Another incident involved a shooting right outside Sandia High School and Christ Lutheran School, which led to both institutions being locked down in the middle of the day.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

On average, more than once a week, there is a shooting near a school in New Mexico, and nearly half the time, someone is killed.

According to data obtained by the Get the Facts Data Team, there have been 833 shootings adjacent to New Mexico’s schools in the past ten years, resulting in 526 people killed.

“When you first told me the numbers, I thought I heard you wrong,” said Darren White, former Bernalillo County sheriff and public safety director. “I was shocked that there are so many shootings close proximity to our schools,”

White said that numerous state laws make penalties harsher for crimes occurring near schools, including firearm possession and drug dealing.

“We put laws in place years ago because we recognize that schools should be sanctuaries, right?” White said.

La Mesa Elementary in Albuquerque’s International District leads the list. In the past ten years, there have been 24 shootings within 500 yards of this school, resulting in 20 deaths. However, this school is not alone in being close to gunfire.

A map from the data team shows that statewide, Missouri Avenue and Valley View Elementary Schools in Roswell had 11 and 8 shootings, respectively, while Las Montanas Charter and Lynn Middle Schools in Las Cruces both had 8 and 8 respectively.

“If it’s being reported that it’s over 800 in this period of time, how many more are taking place that haven’t been reported that we didn’t know about?” White asked. “And so I would argue, like in many of our crime stats, that number is even higher. And, uh … It’s chilling, it really is.”

These shooting have either occurred at or close to the shools.

For instance, 16-year-old Andrew Burson was killed right next to the football field at West Mesa High School.

Another incident involved a shooting right outside Sandia High School and Christ Lutheran School, which led to both institutions being locked down in the middle of the day.

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New Mexico

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction Odds, Key Player to Watch for NIT Semifinal

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction Odds, Key Player to Watch for NIT Semifinal

It’s not just the NCAA Tournament that’s down to the final four teams, but the NIT also has just four teams remaining in its bracket. The semifinals are set to begin on Thursday night, with the first of two games being a showdown between New Mexico from the Mountain West and Tulsa from the American.

Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for Thursday night’s matchup, with a berth in the NIT final on the line.

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Spread

New Mexico -3.5 (-118)
Tulsa +3.5 (-104)

Moneyline

New Mexico -178
Tulsa +146

Total

OVER 161.5 (-110)
UNDER 161.5 (-110)

New Mexico vs. Tulsa How to Watch

Date: Thursday, April 2
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse
How to Watch (TV): ESPN
New Mexico Record: 26-10
Tulsa Record: 29-7

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Betting Trends

Tulsa is 1-5 ATS in its last six games
The OVER is 8-3 in Tulsa’s last 11 games
Tulsa is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as an underdog
New Mexico is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games
The OVER is 13-7 in New Mexico’s last 20 games

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Key Player to Watch

David Green, F – Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

If Tulsa wants to pull off the upset and win this game, they need David Green to step up in a big way. He’s the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game, but he scored just five points in the NIT quarterfinal. Let’s see if he can bounce back with a strong performance tonight.

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction and Pick

Tulsa has already beaten one Mountain West team in the NIT, taking down UNLV by a score of 77-66, and I think they can at least cover as underdogs against New Mexico.

The Golden Hurricanes are one of the best shooting teams in college basketball, ranking 25th in effective field goal percentage. Well above New Mexico, which comes in at 70th in that metric. Tulsa is also a solid team defensively, ranking 106th in defensive efficiency.

The Mountain West continues to be an overrated conference. Their regular season and tournament champion lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Colorado State and Wyoming both lost in the first round of the NIT, and UNLV fell in the second round to Tulsa.

I’m going to continue to follow my strategy of fading the Mountain West in postseason tournaments.

Pick: Tulsa +3.5 (-104) via FanDuel

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