New Mexico State Land Office Implements Rule to Boost Geothermal Energy Development
The New Mexico State Land Office has announced a new leasing rule aimed at facilitating the exploration and production of geothermal energy on state trust lands. This initiative, led by State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, is designed to position New Mexico as a leader in geothermal energy due to its unique geological features. The rule, which will take effect in May, allows the land commissioner to set royalty rates and manage leases for geothermal projects. This development is part of a broader effort to harness the state's potential to generate 163 gigawatts of geothermal power, significantly more than its current electric grid output. The rule also coincides with a partnership between geothermal developer XGS Energy and Meta to build a 150-MW geothermal plant supporting Meta's Los Lunas data center. 
