Geothermal Rulemaking
The New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) held a public hearing on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 to gather feedback and public comments 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 NMSLO modified the new rule based on public comments received and further deliberation, as described in the Commissioner’s Order linked below.
The final rule is effective May 1, 2026.
New Mexico’s geothermal industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, and the proposed rule aims to help meet this increased demand on state trust lands.