Advanced Energy Perspectives

Last summer, when temperatures soared past 100 degrees, thousands of New Mexicans worried whether their power would stay on. Thankfully, our grid held up. But extreme heat and unpredictable weather are becoming a recurring challenge, and no one should have to live in fear of losing power when they need it most. 

New Mexico is one of the first states in the nation to pass legislation requiring the use of advanced transmission technologies, thanks to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signing of House Bill (HB) 93. This forward-thinking legislation is a big step toward upgrading our grid and ensuring reliable and affordable energy for all New Mexicans.

The 2025 New Mexico legislative session ended with both meaningful progress and frustrating setbacks for clean energy advocates. Advanced Energy United and our partners helped move forward legislation that will upgrade the state’s transmission system and support long-term affordability. But other transformative measures—including a bill to promote proactive distribution system planning and expanded electrification—fell short. 

This year’s session was defined by an intense focus on public safety and behavioral health, sparked by recent violent incidents and political pressure on lawmakers to respond decisively. As a result, other policy areas—including energy—faced heightened hurdles in gaining traction. Despite early movement of public safety legislation, much of the session was consumed by debate over this topic, leading to fewer opportunities for forward-looking clean energy measures to advance.

It's important that all stakeholders are included in the clean energy transition, bringing diverse perspectives to address challenges and opportunities. And, when we are given a platform to speak, it’s crucial that we are intentional about the conversations we have. 

As consumers face the electricity cost hikes and threats of blackouts that come with extreme weather conditions, it’s more important than ever to consider the potential benefits of a West-wide power grid. We already know that a Western regional transmission organization (RTO) could improve power system reliability, but a recent west-wide analysis conducted by Energy Strategies on behalf of AEE confirms that the region would also net major economic gains by establishing this kind of regional power grid. AEE also released three state-specific summaries showing that a Western RTO would generate huge economic benefits in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. And that got people talking.