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February 2025 Newsletter
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Exploring the Heat Beneath Our Feet: Geothermal in New Mexico
As the State seeks to increase renewable energy sources and considers the best paths to do so, and current administration support for solar and energy efficiency funding programs dwindle, geothermal technology for heat and energy rises to the top of the list as a highly viable alternative and additional option toward meeting the 2050 Paris Agreement net zero emissions goal. Though more commonly regarded in northern European countries, this frontier is relatively uncharted in the United States, and the State of New Mexico offers incredible potential in geographic assets and legacy oil industry infrastructure. The adage of "drill baby drill" takes on a different and very green lens perspective when the directive is pointed toward utilizing the heat of nature in our landscapes to warm our homes and keep our lights on without contributing more greenhouse gases to the air we breathe or petrochemicals in our drinking water. The drilling process for geothermal energy has improved dramatically over the years, and several successful projects are already in place throughout the State. The benefits of geothermal heat and energy range from clean, zero emissions to sustainable economic development, as well as creating opportunities to more quickly and efficiently transition from the oil industry regarding job skills and the reuse of existing oil rigs. While geothermal as a source of electricity is more layered and complex, heating individual built environments is an exceedingly feasible project to embrace via geothermal technology with heat sourcing depths ranging from only 5-300 ft. Heat flow mapping information, permitting, and regulations protecting underground drinking water sources are available through EMNRD and provide a toehold for advancing this resource in New Mexico.
The US Department of Energy researched the untapped potential of geothermal technology in GeoVision: Harnessing the Heat Beneath Our Feet, a 2019 analysis of areas that provide opportunities for the geothermal industry throughout the nation. The report also offers routes and recommendations to traverse inherent obstacles in the relatively new field. The summarized determination of what is needed to overcome barriers in the analysis includes:
- Reduction of risks and financial burden for geothermal developers.
- Increasing potential for geothermal energy growth.
- Creation of more access points for untapped sources.
- Flexible energy systems that provide secure and economic benefits within the industry and environment.
Nature understands that adaptability and resiliency are imperative responses to changes in the environment and food sources to survive and thrive. As we face the many changes in the latest administration's views on climate change and the blockage of funding solutions for a cleaner and safer environment, our response must mirror the same adaptation skill set in nature. Messaging in the future requires a focus on the commonalities of benefits and reasons for improving upon our habitats in the healthiest and most efficient ways possible. Change is hard, yes. It doesn't have to be an abandonment of our ultimate goals, however, which in sustainability requires us to work toward a healthy, sustainably livable planet for all species. As we face the challenges, it is a great time to redirect and renew this commitment, increase our resiliency muscles, and stay nimble in the face of the most difficult political obstacles. Our very lives depend upon it, and the show must go on.
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Water Policy Advisory Committee Presents 2025 Work Plan
The Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) is a working committee that augments county staff resources by bringing independent expertise, research, and effort to the assigned work. Consisting of water experts across the County’s five districts, the Committee presented an ambitious work plan to the Board of County Commissioners on January 28th. Many of the projects listed in the presentation are currently being processed by county departments, yet the WPAC will serve to provide further information and guidance on these processes through their collective and individual member expertise, hands-on experience, results-based strategies, and outcome measurement goals. The key areas of focus are divided into subject efforts: 1) Stormwater Management, 2) Drinking & Wastewater Management, and 3) Outreach. Some of the prioritized projects presented in the work plan include:
- The development and presentation of recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on revisions and additions to the Sustainable Land Development Code related to water conservation, harvesting and reuse, stormwater management, and code requirements for new developments.
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Facility Master Plan and GSI Maintenance Training Guide.
- Review of concept proposals for a County Compost Facility and Biogas Capture Project and provide recommendations to the BCC for inclusion in Planning considerations for County wastewater infrastructure expansion.
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Develop a framework for potential customers to efficiently navigate the process of connecting to the county utility system or request that the county take over an existing system.
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Review the PFAS report dealing with the extent of contamination, clean-up timeline, and alternatives analysis and advise the BCC on the most efficient path forward.
- Draft policy, procedures, and enforcement for a more robust and effective Countywide Domestic Well Monitoring Program.
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Support efforts for more cooperation/coordination with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) to require NMED to update and share its septic tank database with the County and require septic permit applications to submit to the County before NMED and require OSE to update GIS mapping to show well-head meter diversion points so the County can better estimate water use per acre.
Many of the target dates for completion of the projects range from six months to one year. Stay tuned to learn more about the progress in these vitally important, water-related issues, the solutions that we all require in our day-to-day lives, and from which the "planet we" ultimately benefit.
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What Can I Do?
Establish a Conservation Easement and Private Land Conservation
Of the reasons for living in Santa Fe County, the landscape is near the top of the list. Natural and working lands such as farms or ranches are valued partly because of the benefits these places provide, such as recreation, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, the preservation of historic and cultural resources, and local food production. Santa Fe County, alongside numerous state and federal agencies, is tasked with preserving and protecting public lands. Yet, private landowners have many more opportunities to add to these precious nature treasures and protect the landscapes they call home.
The Internal Revenue Service defines the benefits of establishing a conservation easement as conservation values. Tax legislation in the 1980s allowed for the rapid adoption of these specific types of easements as a means of permanently protecting natural landscapes, farms, and ranches.
A voluntary legal agreement between a private landowner and an accredited land trust organization, a conservation easement limits specific property uses, such as subdivision or development, to preserve its conservation values. Conservation easements are recorded as part of the property’s deed and exist perpetually, binding all current and future landowners. It is common for land trusts to explain property rights as a bundle of sticks. One right or “stick” could be your ability to sell the property, graze cattle, or build a home. By establishing a conservation easement, a landowner will donate one of their sticks (such as the right to subdivide) to a land trust and, in exchange, can receive tax benefits through the IRS and the New Mexico Land Conservation Incentives Act. As the holder of the conservation easement, the land trust is tasked with monitoring and enforcing the easement's restrictions. Still, it does not own the property or influence day-to-day management decisions.
Across the United States, over 60 million acres of private lands are protected through conservation easements, with over a million acres under easement in New Mexico. Here in Santa Fe County, a wide range of property types and habitats are conserved, including 5,000+ acre working ranches, one and two-acre farms, forested properties along the Pecos River, and historic battlefields along with public trails and spaces such as the Santa Fe Railyard Park. New Mexico Land Conservancy and Santa Fe Conservation Trust are the two land trusts active within Santa Fe County, and staff at either organization can help determine if a conservation easement fits your property and needs.
The development rights that are restricted through the establishment of a conservation easement have a monetary value defined by the appraised value of the property before and after the establishment of an easement. In most instances, tax credits comprise the primary financial incentive for developing a conservation easement. The federal tax code considers the conservation easement donation a charitable gift qualifying for a tax deduction. In general, landowners can offset up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in the year the gift was made and for 15 years after or until the full value of the conservation easement has been deducted. Through the New Mexico Land Conservation Tax Credit, landowners can receive a tax credit of up to 50% of the conservation easement’s value up to $250,000 for an individual or $300,000 for two co-owners such as a married couple. This credit can be used to offset NM State Tax obligations or transferred to another taxpayer through a broker. If the credit is assigned, a landowner can expect to receive approximately 80% of the credit value as cash. For example, if an individual landowner donates a conservation easement valued at $300,000, they will receive a state tax credit of $150,000. If this credit is sold, the landowner can expect a cash payment of approximately $120,000.
In some unique circumstances, landowners can take advantage of federal grant initiatives such as the Forest Legacy Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. These programs can pay landowners 50%, 75%, or even 80% of the easement value, and there are additional municipal opportunities such as the Corrales Farmland Preservation Program (CFPP). The CFPP is a unique example of a bond program to preserve farmland within the Village of Corrales. Through the program, landowners are paid to establish conservation easements on their farms, ensuring the properties are not subdivided and remain dedicated to agriculture. Easements established through the program serve to preserve the rural character of Corrales, provide vital bird habitat, and contribute to local food production.
Regardless of the type or location, conservation easements represent a powerful tool for preserving Santa Fe County’s natural and working landscapes, benefiting individual landowners and the public. Whether you own a property in Santa Fe County or are simply interested in conservation, consider contacting your local land trust to learn more about the unique opportunities available to enhance and preserve our private lands.
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Other Highlights
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Our February Picks
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Feb 7, 7-9 p.m.
Laura Pascus will share highlights of her just published book, "Water Bodies," an anthology of essays and poems from some of the West's best writers.
NM State Capitol Roundhouse
Feb 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Come join the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter and many partner organizations to advocate for bills in the New Mexico Roundhouse!
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On-going through 2025 NM Legislation
Speak up for your rights and join the solution fight for a cleaner and healthier future for all New Mexicans!
El Zaguán
Feb 6, 6-7:00 p.m.
A lecture by Nicolasa Chávez exploring chocolate's global journey from pre-Columbian Americas through Spanish Colonial Southwest to its worldwide popularity.
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February 13, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Society for Conservation Biology North America. This online webinar is the the last of the series and highlights State Wildlife Agencies' approach to policy and action for future planning.
Feb. 19-23
Check out the film festival for a plethora of films highlighting the accomplishments of treasured artists and cherished wild scapes and human experiences in story telling.
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Sustainability Questions?
We are your local advisors on all thing's sustainability in Santa Fe County. Contact us with questions or to suggest topics for future newsletters!
Jacqueline Beam, jybeam@santafecountynm.gov
Will Donahoo, wdonahoo@santafecountynm.gov
Click to visit the Sustainability webpage
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