Santa Fe, NM – The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) has submitted a proposed FY23 budget to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) that reflects this administration’s climate priorities and positions the agency as a resilient natural resource agency with deep policy expertise. The proposed budget of $82,055,700 invests in significant staffing for EMNRD, allowing the Department to fulfill its statutory authorities, implement new programs, and take full advantage of federal funding focused on climate action, conservation, and infrastructure.

Prior to pandemic-related budget cuts, EMNRD was making significant progress reinvesting in the agency following severe cuts during the previous administration. The FY23 proposed budget would fully fund the State Parks Division, add staffing resources to the Administrative, Forestry, and Oil Conservation Divisions, and invest in additional programs to diversify New Mexico’s economy, oversee the oil, gas, and mining industries, continue to act on climate change, and conserve our natural resources.

“Investing in EMNRD today will benefit New Mexicans for years to come. By adding resources now, we will be better positioned to ensure industry compliance, expand renewable energy, and bring new economic opportunities to New Mexico,” said EMNRD Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst. “The FY23 budget proposal is a smart expansion that will provide support to our dedicated staff, allow for efficient implementation of our programs, and make EMNRD more resilient as an agency for years to come.”

Key EMNRD initiatives for FY23 include:

• Effectively and efficiently regulating and permitting the oil, gas, and mining industries. The proposed budget will facilitate additional oil and gas inspections, plug more orphan wells, continue documenting abandoned mining features, and bring lands impacted by mining back to beneficial use.
• Expanding renewable energy, modernizing our electric grid, and expanding the clean energy economy by conducting outreach to new businesses.
• Investing in the outdoor recreation economy by improving the visitor experience in our State Park system through expanded technology, infrastructure improvements, and hiring additional staff to provide a safe environment.
• Securing and efficiently deploying federal funding directed at addressing climate change and infrastructure improvements.
• Fully utilizing available funds to conserve lands and watersheds as outlined in the Governor’s 30 by 30 directive.

Over the past year, EMNRD has made significant progress implementing the nation-leading natural gas waste rule, reclaiming lands impacted by mining, processing solar tax credits, and much more to meet our ambitious climate goals and create local jobs. The FY23 proposed budget builds on this success and propels the agency to even greater achievements.

State agency budgets for FY23 will be finalized during the 2022 legislative session.