Green Gov 2026
MEET STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Stephanie Garcia Richard is a proven leader. As Commissioner of Public Lands, she has increased renewable energy development on state lands by over 600% and make renewable energy investment a critical part of the Land Office's vision and goals. She has also increased oil and gas accountability, holding polluters accountable for cleaning up their messes and plugging old oil and gas wells. As a former legislator, she also earned a 90% lifetime score on CVNM's Conservation Scorecard as a Conservation Champion.
She's unwavering in her commitment to protect lands for future generations. Garcia Richard has protected New Mexico against the threats of the Trump administration, protecting environmentally-sensitive areas like Chaco Canyon and Caja del Rio. She also denied natural gas pipelines for Project Jupiter on two occasions, and is fearless in her work to do right for our communities.
She's a visionary. Under her leadership, the State Land Office has fundamentally embraced a new direction by investing in clean, renewable energy sources and diversifying the state's approach to public lands management. She initiated the first community solar lease on state lands, and has approved six more in the past two years. She also codified this vision by created the Office of Renewable Energy under the State Land Office to ensure this work continues in the years to come.
QUOTES & STATEMENTS
"The burden that the project will impose on New Mexico’s water and other natural resources, and on the surrounding community, is extreme. At a time when New Mexico needs to stop the out-of-control acceleration of climate change, literally doubling down on dangerous emissions is irresponsible and incompatible with NMSLO’s mission.”
-July 16, 2026, Press Release
"Chaco Canyon is one of the most special places on the planet, cherished by the state’s Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes, and it deserves to be protected at all costs. That’s why I committed to protecting the state lands in the Greater Chaco Region immediately upon taking office."
- July 16, 2026, Press Release
"I launched the Accountability & Enforcement program to make sure taxpayers aren’t on the hook for expensive cleanup costs. Through this program, we work as much as we can with companies to get them to do the right thing. But when companies are not willing to play ball, that’s when we take legal action, and I have sued dozens of companies to ensure compliance. I’m proud that we’ve been leading efforts to get legacy wells plugged in the state and that we’ve begun to change the culture of oil and gas development on state lands."
- June 24, 2025, Press Release
"Community solar makes it possible to access renewable energy for those who may not be able to afford rooftop solar installations or be able to access renewables in other ways. I’m thrilled that state lands can help bring the benefits of renewable energy to residents directly. We are experiencing a clean energy revolution and every New Mexican deserve to come along for the ride."
- June 30, 2025, Press Release