Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a $20 million dollar fund to provide grants for solar energy and battery storage for tribal, rural and low-income schools, municipalities and counties in New Mexico.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Local Solar Access Fund within the New Mexico Finance Authority to support solar energy systems for eligible public entities (Sec. 1(A)–(C)).

• Authorizes the fund to be used for planning, designing, constructing, purchasing, installing, and connecting these solar systems, including energy storage (Sec. 1(C)(1)).

• Authorizes the use of grants for technical assistance in applying for federal funding (Sec. 1(C)(2)).

• Authorizes that by December 31, 2025, the authority must establish rules in agreement with the energy, minerals and natural resources department to carry out the provisions of this section (Sec. 1(E)).

• Increases the likelihood of grant awards for areas based on income level, rural status, public service use, and impact on workforce training (Sec. 1(E)(2)).

• Requires performance and payment bonds for funded projects, unless the receiver is a tribal entity (Sec. 1(G)).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a $20 million dollar fund to provide grants for solar energy and battery storage for tribal, rural and low-income schools, municipalities and counties in New Mexico.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Local Solar Access Fund within the New Mexico Finance Authority to support solar energy systems for eligible public entities (Sec. 1(A)–(C)).

• Authorizes the fund to be used for planning, designing, constructing, purchasing, installing, and connecting these solar systems, including energy storage (Sec. 1(C)(1)).

• Authorizes the use of grants for technical assistance in applying for federal funding (Sec. 1(C)(2)).

• Authorizes that by December 31, 2025, the authority must establish rules in agreement with the energy, minerals and natural resources department to carry out the provisions of this section (Sec. 1(E)).

• Increases the likelihood of grant awards for areas based on income level, rural status, public service use, and impact on workforce training (Sec. 1(E)(2)).

• Requires performance and payment bonds for funded projects, unless the receiver is a tribal entity (Sec. 1(G)).

Full Bill Text