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Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources outlines wildfire programs, parks needs and energy grants; committee backs LFC rec
Summary
Acting Secretary Erin Taylor told the committee EMNRD seeks funding to operationalize wildfire prepared programs, timber grading and state parks inflationary needs; she also flagged grid modernization and community‑benefit funds for energy projects. The committee adopted the LFC recommendation for the department’s recurring budget.
Acting Cabinet Secretary Erin Taylor and deputy secretary Ben Shelton presented the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department’s FY27 request, highlighting priorities in forestry, state parks and energy programs.
Taylor said the executive recommendation supports reauthorizations needed to finish ongoing projects and funds two recurring forestry programs created in FY25: the Wildfire Prepared Program (supporting community assessments, technical assistance and grants) and a timber grading program to help use New Mexico wood in construction. The department asked for general fund support to cover insurance, DIT rates and program staff; the LFC recommendation partially differs, in some cases proposing less recurring staff funding and different calculations for benefits.
On state parks, the executive included funding to convert temporary positions to permanent and to support a new online reservation and revenue system; the LFC kept park funding consistent with FY26 and counted on updated fee revenue projections. Taylor also described federal and community benefit dollars flowing to grid modernization and energy conservation programs and said EMNRD is moving quickly to scale federal rebates and grant programs.
Committee action: the Appropriations & Finance Committee moved and adopted the LFC recommendation for EMNRD’s recurring budget with no recorded opposition. Several members asked about early detection camera networks and forest‑health mapping; staff said pilot camera networks (commercial AI providers) are operating and that public mapping tools are already online.
What’s next: capital and nonrecurring requests (wildfire program buildout, early detection cameras) will be discussed in supplemental hearings.
