Comprehensive Energy Transition Strategy

The Comprehensive Energy Transition Strategy (CETS) is a bold new initiative led by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to create the state’s first integrated roadmap for delivering reliable, affordable, safe, and sustainable energy to all New Mexicans.

Launched in May 2025, CETS will unfold over three phases and provide a cross-cutting, analytically grounded strategy that informs near-, mid-, and long-term energy policies. It will include baseline policy analysis, regional engagement, and recommendations for legislative action, RD&D investment, and cross-sector collaboration.

For Phase I, New Mexico Tech was selected to lead the effort, in partnership with the EFI Foundation and the Climate Equity Foundation.

Phase I Launch Workshop

On May 12, 2025, EMNRD officially launched the Comprehensive Energy Transition Strategy (CETS) at a high-level workshop in Albuquerque. The event marked the start of Phase I.

Bringing together leaders from state government, tribal nations, national labs, industry, and academia, the workshop introduced the vision for CETS—a data-driven, inclusive roadmap to guide New Mexico’s energy future. Attendees explored the goals of Phase I, including baseline policy analysis, data strategy, and stakeholder engagement, laying the foundation for a just and strategic energy transition across the state.

CETS Phase 1 Deliverables

Policy Memos

Phase I of the CETS established a baseline assessment of the state’s energy transition through nine policy memos examining key opportunities, policy gaps, and implementation challenges. Together, the memos address clean firm power, grid modernization, transmission, buildings, workforce, policy implementation, subsurface authorities, energy data and emissions reporting, and revenue diversification.

Building

Workforce

Revenue

Clean Firm Power

Data

Definitions & Authorities

Grid Modernization

Transmission

Policy Implementation

Data Management Strategy Report

Phase I also produced a Data Management Strategy to improve the coordination, accessibility, and use of New Mexico’s energy and emissions data. This work provided the foundation for the development of DETECT (Data for the Energy Transition, Economy, Climate Change, and Technologies), a statewide platform designed to support data-driven research, planning, and decision-making.

Download the report

Additional Resource

The team also developed a socio-economic survey examining the broader community implications of New Mexico’s energy transition to help inform future policy and investment decisions.

Download the report

About the CETS Initiative

CETS focuses on:

  • Consolidate and analyze existing policies, laws, and studies to build a baseline understanding of the state’s energy system.

  • Identification of critical data gaps, resource maps, and technological readiness for emerging energy solutions.

  • Designing a data-driven platform for real-time emissions tracking and policy planning.

“Our primary role is ensuring policymakers have access to objective, science-based data, empowering them to make informed, practical decisions that benefit our communities, economy, and environment.”
— Dr. Mahyar Amouzegar, President, New Mexico Tech

Why It Matters

The different phases of the CETS project will ultimately aim to:

  • Analyze subsurface energy and storage opportunities (geothermal, CCS)

  • Develop a real-time emissions tracking platform

  • Highlight the importance of new energy technologies

  • Create legislative and policy recommendations for long-term energy affordability and security

The energy transition presents incredible opportunities and challenges for New Mexico. The CETS initiative will provide policymakers with the clarity we need to understand where we are and where we still need to go.”
— Rep. Meredith Dixon, NM District 20

Official Press Release