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HB 311 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

VIRTUAL POWER PLANT ACT

HB 311 requires New Mexico's electric utilities to create programs that aggregate customer energy resources (like home batteries, solar, or smart devices) into "virtual power plants" to support grid operations. Utilities must submit program plans by February 2027, with rules ensuring these programs meet a 15% peak demand target and fairly compensate participants for grid services. The bill directly affects utilities, third-party program managers, and owners of energy storage systems (requiring minimum wage compliance for systems over 1 megawatt). It also allows utilities to recover program costs through approved mechanisms while establishing rules to prevent unfair advantages for utility-run programs.
Issues: ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates utilities to create virtual power plants using customer renewables/storage, advancing clean energy infrastructure and grid modernization per 15% demand target.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates utilities to use smart devices and energy storage tech for grid management, directly advancing tech integration in utility operations.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Sent to House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee & House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Day Hochman-Vigil
Day Hochman-Vigil
DDemocratic
NM
15