SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico State Land Office will hold a public rulemaking hearing on a new, proposed geothermal rule to align with recent legislative changes and modernize and improve the agency’s process for issuing geothermal leases. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Morgan Hall at the State Land Office building in Santa Fe located at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail.
The purpose of the hearing is to gather feedback and receive public comments on a proposed replacement of the agency’s rule for developing geothermal resources (19.2.7 NMAC). The rule is expected to facilitate development and use of geothermal resources in response to an increase in demand for this source of renewable energy.
“New Mexico’s geothermal industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years—with the perfect combination of prime geology, technical expertise and a supportive regulatory environment,” said New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard. “And we need to be ready to meet the growing demand for clean, sustainable energy. This public process will guide the State Land Office’s decisions regarding how to best lease state lands for geothermal development to tap this growing renewable energy potential.”
The NMSLO Office of General Counsel will preside over the hearing, which is open to the public and press. Notice of the hearing has been made available on the NMSLO website, the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, as well as in person at the State Land Office and district field offices.
Interested parties may also submit written public comments by emailing SLO-INFO@nmslo.gov by Friday, September 26, 2025.
You can learn more about the rulemaking process here.
HEARING DETAILS
What: State Land Office public meeting regarding proposed changes to 19.2.7 NMAC relating to geothermal resources leases
When: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 10:00 a.m. until concluded
Where: New Mexico State Land Office, Morgan Hall, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised more than $12 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.