February 7, 2026
Second Senate Committee Advances Clear Horizons Act as Smart Planning for New Mexico Businesses and Families
Supporters highlight affordability, business certainty, and protection for outdoor recreation economy
SANTA FE, N.M. – Today, the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee advanced the Clear Horizons Act (SB 18) on a 6-4 vote, moving New Mexico closer to a long-term planning framework that provides certainty for businesses, protects family budgets, and supports stable economic growth across the state.
The Clear Horizons Act establishes statewide pollution reduction goals and directs state agencies to plan responsibly for economic growth, energy demand, and long-term stability – without imposing new taxes or direct costs on households. Supporters emphasized that planning ahead gives businesses clear rules to invest confidently while helping protect New Mexicans from rising costs tied to pollution, extreme weather, and unmanaged energy growth.
“New Mexico businesses need stability and predictability to grow,” said Susan Nedell, Senior Western Advocate at E2. “The Clear Horizons Act provides clear, long-term goals that help companies plan investments, create jobs, and keep New Mexico competitive. Our clean energy sector already employs more than 14,000 New Mexicans and is growing many times faster than the rest of the state’s economy – this bill helps protect and build on that momentum.”
Supporters also noted that the pollution reduction goals in the Clear Horizons Act are not new or untested. Many large oil and gas corporations operating in New Mexico have already announced corporate climate targets that align with the bill’s goals, demonstrating that these limits are achievable and consistent with long-term industry planning. The Clear Horizons Act provides transparency and accountability so those commitments translate into real-world results and benefits for New Mexican families.
Outdoor recreation leaders highlighted the importance of clean air, healthy landscapes, and predictable seasons to their livelihoods, particularly in rural and gateway communities where climate impacts are already being felt.
“My family has made a living from taking people fly fishing in New Mexico for over 40 years. Our business has survived plenty of hardships in that time, but the one thing that keeps me up at night is the effects of climate change on our livelihoods,” said Nick Streit, owner of Taos Fly Shop. “Catastrophic forest fires, droughts and floods have become the new normal. The Clear Horizons Act is a meaningful step in the right direction to help outdoor recreation businesses like mine have a fighting chance.”
Small business advocates stressed that affordability and long-term planning are essential as families and employers navigate rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.
“Certainty is the key for stability in all sizes of business. Small businesses are already dealing with higher insurance costs, supply disruptions, and uncertainty caused by extreme weather,” said Glenn Schiffbauer, executive director of New Mexico Sustainable Business. “The Clear Horizons Act gives New Mexico a responsible framework to reduce pollution while providing the certainty businesses need to invest, grow, and support their workers without passing unpredictable costs onto families.”
Supporters noted that the Clear Horizons Act focuses on large industrial sources of pollution and aligns New Mexico with more than 20 states that have already put similar long-term climate goals into law. By planning ahead, the bill helps avoid costly emergency responses while supporting steady, affordable economic growth.
The Clear Horizons Act now moves to the full Senate for a floor debate and vote.
Recent statewide polling shows that a strong majority – 77% – of New Mexicans support government action to reduce climate pollution, underscoring that the Clear Horizons Act aligns with voter priorities across the state.
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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