FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February11, 2026

Media Contact: info@clearhorizonsnm.org

SANTA FE, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico Senate failed to advance the Clear Horizons Act (SB 18) with a 19-23 vote on the floor, leaving the state without a comprehensive framework to plan for rising costs driven by pollution and climate-related disasters that are already affecting families, businesses, and communities across New Mexico.

Supporters of the legislation expressed deep disappointment, noting that the outcome does not reflect the priorities of most New Mexicans, a supermajority of whom support action to reduce climate pollution and plan responsibly for the future.

“Recent polling shows that 77% of New Mexicans support government action to reduce climate pollution,” said Demis Foster, CEO of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “New Mexicans want leadership that plans ahead, protects families from rising costs, and holds major polluters accountable. Today’s vote does not change that reality. Instead, legislators chose to side with a fear-based disinformation campaign led by the state’s polluting industries. We stand with the New Mexican families impacted by wildfires, floods, heat, and rising utility costs in pushing for a better future.”

The Clear Horizons Act would have codified New Mexico’s existing pollution reduction goals, that the oil and gas industry has been operating under since 2019, and directed state agencies to plan responsibly for energy demand, economic growth, and long-term affordability – without imposing new taxes or direct costs on households.

“New Mexicans are already paying the price of pollution and climate-driven disasters through higher insurance costs, emergency response spending, and rising household expenses,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, the bill’s lead sponsor. “The Clear Horizons Act offered a responsible, transparent plan to reduce those risks and protect families over the long term. While today’s vote is disappointing, the need for planning ahead has not gone away.”

Advocates emphasized that failure to act leaves families exposed to growing costs.

“At Prosperity Works, we work with families who are already stretched thin,” said Ann Lyn Hall, CEO of Prosperity Works. “When disasters hit or health costs spike, many New Mexican families don’t have a cushion. Without long-term planning, those shocks keep pushing households deeper into financial insecurity. Today’s vote delays the kind of prevention that families urgently need.”

Family and child advocates stressed that inaction carries long-term fiscal consequences for the state

“Climate-related disasters and health impacts already cost New Mexico billions, money that could otherwise support children, schools, and communities,” said Maya Anthony, Climate Policy Analyst at New Mexico Voices for Children. “State data shows lawmakers heard more than $4 billion in climate-related costs during the 2025 interim alone. Delaying action does not make those costs disappear–it increases them.

Coalition members emphasized that today’s outcome is not the end of the conversation.

“New Mexico’s people are facing rising costs from expensive, polluting fossil fuels whose emissions are powering ferocious fires followed by devastating floods. We’re seeing drought, missing snow runoff, extreme heat and new harmful species of mosquitos,” said Camilla Feibelman, executive director of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter and Clear Horizons Coalition coordinator. “Our families need meaningful action. We need action on affordability, not protection for industry CEOs’ profits. We will continue working to ensure our voices are heard and reflected in our state’s policy decisions.  We’re so grateful to the bill sponsors, Sens. Stewart, Charley and Nava, in addition and the governor for continuing to lead on pollution reduction.”

Advocates for historically excluded and frontline communities emphasized that delaying action disproportionately harms those already facing the highest economic and environmental burdens.

“We are deeply disappointed that the Senate did not advance the Clear Horizons Act,” said Carlos Matutes, New Mexico State Director for GreenLatinos. “Climate change is already hitting historically excluded communities first and hardest. The damage from greenhouse gas pollution isn’t just to our air, water, and soil – it shows up in family budgets through wildfire losses, flood recovery, higher cooling costs during extreme heat, and rising insurance rates. Failing to pass SB18 delays urgently needed action to address the affordability crisis facing our communities.”

The Clear Horizons Act is supported by a broad coalition of 42 organizations, healthcare professionals, parents, business leaders, and community advocates from across New Mexico who agree that families deserve stability, clean air, and a future they can count on. Coalition members: 350 New Mexico; 350 Santa Fe; American Lung Association in New Mexico; Center for Civic Policy; Citizens Caring for the Future; Climate Cabinet; Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy; Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico; Conservation Voters New Mexico; Devil’s Spring Ranch; Earthworks; E2; EDF Action; Equality New Mexico; GreenLatinos; GRID Alternatives; Healthy Climate New Mexico; Moms Clean Air Force – New Mexico Chapter; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light; New Mexico Climate Investment Center; New Mexico Native Vote; New Mexico Sustainable Business; New Mexico Voices for Children; NM CAFe; NMVC Action Fund; OLÉ Education Fund, Positive Energy Solar; ProgressNow New Mexico; Prosperity Works; Renewable Energy Industries Association of New Mexico; San Juan Citizens Alliance; Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter; Sovereign Energy; Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP); The Semilla Project; Together for Brothers; Tribal Energy Alternatives; Vote Solar; Western Environmental Law Center; Western Leaders Network; Western Resource Advocates.

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Clear Horizons New Mexico is a coalition committed to fostering sustainable growth and environmental resilience throughout the State of New Mexico. Through the advocacy and implementation of groundbreaking legislation like the Clear Horizons Act (SB18), we aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy development and innovation, and enhance community welfare. Our mission is to transform New Mexico into a leader in energy & sustainability by harnessing the state’s unique environmental assets and cultural heritage, ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for all residents. Clear Horizons New Mexico collaborates with local communities, policymakers, and environmental experts to drive meaningful change and innovation.