Only stop in far southern New Mexico will focus on transportation and future energy use

Organ Mountain News report

SUNLAND PARK - New Mexico will hold a public forum in Sunland Park on March 11 to gather public input on how transportation should change as the state plans a long-term shift in its energy system.

The forum is part of a statewide effort by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to collect ideas for what it calls a Comprehensive Energy Transition Strategy. The state plans seven forums around New Mexico, but the Sunland Park meeting is the only stop in far southern New Mexico and the closest location for Doña Ana County residents.

The Sunland Park forum will run from 9 a.m. to noon on March 11. State officials say the discussion will focus on transportation, including how people move around, how vehicles are powered and what infrastructure may be needed as energy sources change.

Officials say ideas shared at the forums will help shape future state policy.

The first forum in the series is scheduled for Jan. 28 in Hobbs at New Mexico Junior College. That meeting will focus on energy delivery and emission reductions in the Permian Basin, including how oil and gas operations could become more electrified.

The state says it launched the energy-transition project in May 2025 with funding from the Legislature. New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is facilitating the forums.

State officials describe the forums as open to residents, workers, business owners and community leaders. They say participants will discuss local priorities and challenges related to energy reliability, economic opportunity and quality of life.

The remaining forum schedule is:

• March 11 — Sunland Park: Future of transportation
• March 25 — Albuquerque: Energy efficiency and incentives
• April 8 — Gallup: Geothermal energy and innovation
• April 22 — Santa Fe: Data and research for energy planning

The state has posted background materials and a registration form for the forums on its website. Officials say public input from all seven meetings will feed into the final version of the statewide energy-transition strategy.