Committee advances bill to coordinate energy development with military; industry and veterans ask for longer notice period

The Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee reported a do-pass recommendation on House Bill 159 as amended, a measure to coordinate future construction or expansion near military facilities with military planning and to clarify technical review processes with federal agencies.

Sponsor Representative Sadanana presented an amendment described as technical and said the changes largely clarified language around timing and process. "It's really just cleanup language," the sponsor said while the committee reviewed the redlined amendment.

Deborah Condit, registered lobbyist for Inner West Energy Alliance, told the committee the renewable energy industry supports the bill’s goal of compatibility between national security and the clean-energy transition but asked for more time to notify impacted parties. "We continue to be concerned that the 10 days for notification is too short and encourage further changes to allow for 30 days in which to notify the parties," Condit said, noting that Oklahoma uses a 30-day notification window for a similar requirement. She also asked for clarity on the bill’s effective date and whether projects already under review at the Department of Defense Clearinghouse would become subject to the new requirement.

Claudia Reisner, speaking for the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, said the caucus supports the bill. "We support House Bill 159 and its efforts to help safeguard our military, especially military aviation personnel," Reisner said, adding that facilities near New Mexico’s four military bases can affect aircraft safety.

Paul Cassidy, representing the Military Based Planning Commission and related Kirtland committees, also spoke in favor. "We stand in full support on behalf of all the community organizations that support flying missions in the state of New Mexico," Cassidy said.

Committee members debated the timing language. The sponsor and members agreed on the record to consider changing the 10-business-day notice in the amendment to 30 calendar days before the bill proceeds to the next committee. Representative Christina Ortiz moved to adopt the amendment; Representative Anaya seconded. The committee adopted the amendment and later moved a do-pass recommendation on House Bill 159 as amended; Representative Christina Valdez moved the do-pass motion and Representative Terrazas seconded it.

The bill and the on-the-record agreement to seek a longer notification period set up further negotiations between the sponsor and industry stakeholders on how the state will align FAA and Department of Defense review processes with siting and permitting for renewable energy projects.