New Mexico

Far-left Dem McQueen to leave NM House, vie for higher office

16 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

One of the most prickly, petulant, and downright disagreeable members of the New Mexico Legislature is finally throwing in the towel — at least in the House. Six-term Democrat Matthew McQueen announced he will not seek reelection to the Legislature, instead launching a bid for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands in 2026. For New Mexicans fed up with McQueen’s arrogance, condescension, and far-left extremism, the news is both a relief and a warning.

In a press release riddled with political posturing, McQueen declared, “I have the proven record of standing up to bullies and corruption.” But for many New Mexicans, McQueen has been the bully. His track record is one of vindictiveness, elitism, and hostility toward working-class values and rural communities.

Case in point: Edgewood, 2023. When the small town’s commissioners voted to uphold federal law through a pro-life ordinance consistent with the Comstock Act, McQueen threatened to retaliate. “I’m just going to have to reconsider how I allocate my capital outlay,” he sneered, implying he’d withhold funding from his own constituents. When a commissioner called out the threat, McQueen smugly doubled down: “Well, if you want to take it that way.”

He then insulted the town outright, saying, “Edgewood is insignificant.” That’s not standing up to bullies — that is being a bully.

Then there’s his radical land agenda. In 2023, McQueen pushed a sweeping “30 by 30”-style land grab bill — HB 45 — designed to gobble up New Mexico land in the name of “conservation,” which would have devastated working farmers, ranchers, and hunters. His bill was so extreme that even Democrats on the committee joined Republicans to kill it. Rural New Mexico sent a clear message: hands off our land.

McQueen’s abrasiveness isn’t confined to policy. His social media tirades have also drawn ire. In October 2022, he lashed out when confronted with facts about the horrific reality of late-term abortions and infanticide at UNM Hospital, angrily calling it “dangerous” and “disgusting.” But the receipts were undeniable, including testimony from abortionist Eve Espey herself, admitting babies were born alive and left to die. McQueen never apologized for smearing those who told the truth.

McQueen was also a major proponent of extreme gerrymandering of the state’s congressional map to benefit Democrats, resulting in all three of the state’s districts being pushed to the far left and hundreds of thousands of voters left disenfranchised, all while McQueen’s district got bluer. His rhetoric and inclination toward disagreement with all sides is likely not to land him many endorsements from the Legislature.

Now, this far-left trial lawyer wants to control 22 million acres of New Mexico’s trust land and minerals as State Land Commissioner — an office that generates over $2 billion annually for our schools and public institutions. He promises to “build on the successes” of radical incumbent Stephanie Garcia Richard and eco-activists like Jim Baca.

That should concern every New Mexican who values oil and gas jobs, property rights, and responsible land use.

While McQueen cloaks his ambition in lofty rhetoric about education and conservation, his record is clear: punish small towns, lie about abortion, push radical environmental schemes, and fight for far-left causes. He may call it “leadership.” Most New Mexicans call it being a condescending, gaslighting windbag.

Far-left Dem McQueen to leave NM House, vie for higher office Read More »

MLG gets ‘Public Safety Advocate’ award while New Mexicans fear for their lives

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In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce named Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham its “Public Safety Advocate” at Thursday’s 2025 Chamber and Legislative Awards. The ceremony recognized several lawmakers, but few accept the label “public safety advocate” while crime spirals and the governor targets lawful gun owners instead of criminals.

The award comes just months after a flurry of legislative failures on crime. Gov. Lujan Grisham lamented that lawmakers didn’t follow her lead on several public safety initiatives, which critics point out as proof she’s more interested in protecting political optics than actual citizens.

Mike Canfield of Valliant Consulting presented the award, praising the governor: “She has focused a bright spotlight on this issue, and despite her unwavering commitment to policy changes, more progress needs to be made.” The Chamber recounted that Lujan Grisham “told attendees she remains committed and will work with the Legislature in the months to come.”

Yet, while accepting accolades, she’s simultaneously escalating tension with New Mexicans over gun rights, with sweeping red-flag laws and expanding background checks aimed more at law-abiding gun owners than hardened criminals. This has inflamed backlash among Second Amendment supporters, who argue she’s politicizing constitutional rights instead of curbing violent crime.

That violence isn’t theoretical. Albuquerque’s Central Avenue Corridor—dubbed the “war zone”—has witnessed a surge in shootings and drug-related incidents. According to a recent CBS News snapshot, the city recorded 11 homicides in Q1 2025. Aggravated assaults hit 895, robberies at 153, and rapes at 48.

In April, responding to a request from APD Chief Harold Medina, Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency and dispatched 60–70 unarmed National Guard members to Albuquerque. Cloaked in civilian attire and operating in support roles—handling crime-scene security, traffic control, detainee transport, drone operations, and booking support—their job is to free up officers.

Local law enforcement is skeptical. Det. Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, asked, “What are they going to do? … They can’t intervene. They don’t have the authority to take anybody to jail. They’re not armed.” 

Despite critiques, often from law enforcement and the public at large, Gov. Lujan Grisham continues to portray herself as tough on crime. At the award event, she reiterated her intent to press for legislative reforms. But the optics of receiving a public safety honor while policing citizen rights and deploying troops to shield local police have many asking: Is this genuine leadership, or political theater?

Meanwhile, Albuquerque’s crime stats paint a dire picture. The city and state continue to suffer from an elevated rate of violence, especially among juveniles and in connection with the fentanyl epidemic.

If Michelle Lujan Grisham truly wants to redeem the public safety narrative, critics say she must move beyond awards and mandates. 

MLG gets ‘Public Safety Advocate’ award while New Mexicans fear for their lives Read More »

Deadly roads and high car theft: Why New Mexico is failing summer travelers

15 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

As millions of Americans gear up to hit the road this summer, a new report from WalletHub has dealt a blow to New Mexico’s tourism outlook. The personal finance website ranked the Land of Enchantment a disappointing 43rd out of 50 states in its 2025 report on the Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips.

The ranking, released this week, compared all 50 states across 32 metrics, including the number of attractions, gas prices, road safety, car theft rates, and travel-related costs. Despite its rich cultural history and natural beauty, New Mexico performed poorly in several key categories that influence road trip experiences.

According to the data, New Mexico ranked:

  • 27th in number of attractions,
  • 20th for average gas prices,
  • But a dismal 46th in nightlife options per capita,
  • 44th in vehicle miles traveled per capita,
  • 46th in car thefts per capita,
  • 34th in lowest camping prices,
  • And a concerning 48th in road fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

“Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road.”

New Mexico’s high rate of vehicle fatalities and car thefts contributed significantly to its low overall score, raising concerns about traveler safety during peak tourism months.

WalletHub’s top-ranking state for summer road trips in 2025 was Minnesota, thanks to its strong investment in parks and recreation, numerous summer festivals, and low accident rates.

Experts consulted in the report say the appeal of road trips is rising, in part due to frustrations with air travel.

“With lower gas prices this year, road trips are increasingly attractive,” said Ira L. Rosen, President of Ira L. Rosen LLC and adjunct professor at Temple University. “Also, airlines, airports, and air traffic safety have taken some high-visibility hits this season.”

Ball State University associate professor Craig Webster agreed. “Road trips should become more popular,” he said. “The recent stories about the poor quality of airline customer service and high prices should encourage people to stay with their cars.”

As for how states like New Mexico can improve their standing, experts say it comes down to both safety and smart promotion.

“Local officials should ensure safe driving through law enforcement and better communication of safety risks,” Webster said. “Tourists are more vulnerable than locals — they lack the local knowledge, security networks, and resources.”

Andrei P. Kirilenko of the University of Florida warned that mishandling public safety or crime can have long-lasting consequences. “Mismanaged natural disasters or crime towards tourists create long-lasting ‘mental risk maps,’ which cover an entire region well beyond the original impact,” he said.

While New Mexico remains a visually stunning and culturally rich destination, WalletHub’s data suggests state leaders have work to do in improving road safety, protecting travelers’ vehicles, and investing in tourism infrastructure that can make summer road trips safer and more enjoyable.

The full report is available at: WalletHub’s 2025 Summer Road Trip Rankings.

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Stansbury refuses to eat crow at DOGE hearing after humiliating math fail

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During a recent House Oversight subcommittee hearing on DOGE, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) presented a visual aid that raised eyebrows for its mathematical inconsistency. 

The graphic, intended to illustrate polling data, displayed percentages that totaled 110%—an obvious statistical error that went unnoticed.

Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA) pointed out the discrepancy during the hearing, stating, “The poll behind you, behind our ranking member, it adds up to 110 percent. Just wanted to clarify, is it meant to add up to 110 percent, or is that an error?”

Percentages, by definition, should total 100%. The mistake drew attention not just because of the numbers themselves, but also because the error was presented in an official congressional setting. Rather than acknowledge the miscalculation, Rep. Stansbury stood by the data.

“This is from a Quinnipiac poll that was held two weeks ago, and this is the data that was provided,” Stansbury responded. “There’s a wealth of information, including information about Donald Trump’s falling poll numbers. So you should take a look.”

Her response, while redirecting attention to the source of the data, did not address the basic flaw in the chart’s presentation. The exchange gave additional ammunition to Republican members of the committee, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who weighed in with her own observation.

“The gentleman yields, and it still adds up to 110 percent!” Greene said. “That’s a fake poll right there!”

While mistakes can certainly happen, especially when dealing with large volumes of data, the incident has sparked questions about attention to detail from Rep. Stansbury’s office. Misrepresenting numbers—particularly in a public setting meant to inform congressional discussions—can undermine credibility, regardless of party affiliation.

As of publication, Rep. Stansbury’s office has not responded to inquiries about whether she is aware of the numerical error in the graphic.

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Leftist radicals vandalize women’s sports bus in Santa Fe

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The Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) reported that their custom bus—used for a New Mexico tour promoting women’s sports—was hit with eggs during a stop in Santa Fe on Monday. The group had gathered in the state’s capital to mark the 53rd anniversary of Title IX, joined by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

The tour features a newly wrapped bus bearing the slogan “HER GAME HER LEGACY,” designed to highlight and honor female athletes. The bus included handwritten notes and signatures, including one from McMahon herself.

But what was meant to be a celebration turned disruptive, as IWF claims the vehicle was vandalized while parked at the event.

Photos shared with Fox News Digital reveal cracked eggshells scattered beneath the bus and visible smears on its side panels.

Victoria Coley, IWF’s vice president of communications, addressed the incident in a statement to the outlet. “Following our ‘Her Game. Her Legacy.’ event honoring the 53rd anniversary of Title IX and generations of female athletes, our tour bus—clearly branded to celebrate women’s sports—was targeted and vandalized with eggs,” she said. “The individual came dangerously close to hitting me directly. We have filed a police report, and security cameras captured the suspect in the act.”

Coley also called out what she described as escalating hostility: “In recent days, agitators in Santa Fe have made our event and state-wide bus tour a focal point for harassment, but let me be clear: Independent Women will not be intimidated. We will never back down from protecting women’s sports, defending sex-based rights, and standing up for female athletes across this state and this country. Our ‘Her Game. Her Legacy.’ bus tour will continue to all 33 counties of New Mexico—unshaken and undeterred.”

Fox News Digital has submitted a public records request to the Santa Fe Police Department, and according to documents provided by IWF, a case has indeed been opened.

The alleged egging wasn’t the only disruption. IWF noted in a press release that they were forced to find a new venue at the last minute after the original host pulled out due to conflicting values with the organization’s mission.

Despite the setback, the event went forward with several notable speakers. Among them were McMahon and Payton McNabb, a former high school volleyball player who has since become an advocate for women’s sports.

McMahon reflected on the change of plans, telling Fox News Digital, “I thought it was unfortunate, but I have to say the event was actually incredibly good. I’m sure for the event managers of the event, it was chaos for them, but as far as I was considered, it was seamless.”

This is not the first time an IWF bus has been the target of vandalism. During a July 2024 rally in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the group found their bus had been defaced with eggs, profanity, and hostile messages such as “Trans women are women,” “F— transphobia,” and “Bigots on board.”

At the time, IWF responded forcefully: “Radical gender ideologues on a mission to erase womanhood seek to keep us quiet. WE WON’T BACK DOWN. WOMEN WON’T BE SILENT,” the group posted on X.

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See how N.M.’s three U.S. reps. voted on failed move to impeach Trump

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In a stunning rebuke to the far-left’s latest effort to take down President Donald Trump, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday to block a radical impeachment resolution pushed by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas). Green, a frequent Trump antagonist, attempted to impeach the president over his recent military strikes on Iranian targets — a move even most Democrats refused to support. Green is known for being thrown out of the President’s speech in front of Congress earlier this year because he attempted to scream and cause havoc in the chamber.

The resolution, which accused Trump of “abuse of power” for ordering precision strikes on Iranian military sites without prior congressional approval, was swiftly tabled by a bipartisan majority in a 344-79 vote. Notably, 128 Democrats joined Republicans in shutting down the resolution, signaling a clear lack of support for Green’s latest anti-Trump crusade.

But in a disturbing reflection of how far left New Mexico’s congressional delegation has veered, Reps. Melanie Stansbury of the First District and Teresa Leger Fernandez of the Third District both voted in favor of the impeachment push, siding with Green and extremist voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). In contrast, Rep. Gabe Vasquez of the Second District — who often toes the progressive line — broke ranks and voted with the majority to table the measure, opting not to support the baseless impeachment effort, likely for reelection efforts to attempt to fruitlessly claim “bipartisanship.” Trump won the Second District by two points in last year’s presidential election.

Green’s resolution was riddled with inflammatory language, accusing Trump of violating the Constitution by “usurping Congress’s power to declare war” and implying that the President’s defensive military action amounted to a “de facto declaration of war.” He further claimed Trump “abused the powers of the presidency” by acting without a formal declaration from Congress.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shot back at the far-left’s allegations with a firm constitutional defense of the president’s actions.

“Let me be as clear as possible: The strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities were clearly within President Trump’s Article II powers as Commander in Chief,” Johnson stated. “It shouldn’t even be in dispute.”

Trump’s decisive action received praise from the White House as a demonstration of “peace through strength” — a stark contrast to the weak, indecisive foreign policy often embraced by Democrats.

“President Trump was able to quickly accomplish what no other President has been able to achieve – thanks to his ‘peace through strength’ leadership, Iran’s nuclear program has been obliterated and a ceasefire has been agreed to,” said White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers. “Eliminating the prospect of nuclear war is a non-partisan and unifying accomplishment that everyone should celebrate.”

Still, progressive radicals like Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) pushed for further limits on executive military authority. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a frequent critic of foreign intervention, echoed constitutional concerns but did not support impeachment — hours after President Trump vowed to take him out in a primary like he successfully did with former Rep. Liz Cheney, who worked with Democrats to jab at the President’s America First agenda.

While Congress ultimately rejected this latest politically motivated impeachment stunt, the fact that two of New Mexico’s three Democrat representatives backed it should concern voters. Stansbury and Leger Fernandez once again proved they are more interested in grandstanding with radical coastal elites than standing up for American strength, security, or constitutional clarity. Only Rep. Vasquez, likely due to the risk of reelection, voted to table the measure, although it is sure to anger his far-left base.

See how N.M.’s three U.S. reps. voted on failed move to impeach Trump Read More »

NM is dead last in child well-being—But MLG claims we’re leading

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In a desperate attempt to paper over New Mexico’s dead-last ranking in child well-being, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took to social media this weekend to share a gaslighting op-ed from two of her newfound allies—State Sen. Bill Sharer and child care center operator Barbara Luna Tedrow—claiming that New Mexico is “not last” in child welfare. The claim flies in the face of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s most recent Kids Count report, which once again places the Land of Enchantment dead last for child well-being.

“Studies and rankings may not reflect this progress immediately because transformative change takes time,” Lujan Grisham posted on X. “But make no mistake, New Mexico is making progress on behalf of its children.” The post reads like classic political spin from an administration under fire.

What the governor conveniently ignores is that the Kids Count report is not some fly-by-night survey. It is a respected, comprehensive review of state-by-state indicators like child poverty, education, health, and family stability—areas where New Mexico has repeatedly failed. But rather than confront the data, the Lujan Grisham regime has chosen to manufacture its own version of “success,” propped up by loyalists and political allies.

One of those allies is State Sen. Bill Sharer, who previously attempted to hike alcohol taxes—a move that disproportionately hurts working families—and stood in vehement opposition to calls for Lujan Grisham’s impeachment after she unconstitutionally suspended Second Amendment rights in 2023. Now, Sharer is moonlighting as a spin doctor, teaming up with Tedrow, the owner of A Gold Star Academy & Child Development Center, to claim New Mexico is a “national success story.”

Their op-ed praises taxpayer-funded socialist “free” daycare expansions at Gold Star’s Farmington locations and state subsidies that allow for employee benefits. But what it fails to mention is that these programs—however well-intentioned—have done nothing to reverse the state’s abysmal child outcomes on a macro level. No amount of anecdotal feel-good stories from one provider will change the fact that New Mexico still leads the nation in childhood poverty and lags far behind in educational attainment.

What’s more, the op-ed reeks of self-interest. Tedrow’s child care center has benefited handsomely from government dollars, with expansion to five facilities and lavish wage and benefit increases. Of course she’s going to claim New Mexico is “leading”—her business depends on it.

Meanwhile, families across the state continue to suffer the consequences of failed leadership. Crime is rampant. Educational outcomes remain among the worst in the nation. And child poverty is still shockingly high. Yet Lujan Grisham and her allies want the public to ignore all of that because a handful of daycare centers added a few hundred spots.

It’s a shameful attempt to gaslight the public into accepting mediocrity—or worse, celebrating it. New Mexicans don’t need propaganda. They need accountability, real reform, and a governor who takes responsibility for the state’s failures instead of spinning them as victories.

No amount of glossy op-eds will change the truth: under Lujan Grisham’s leadership, New Mexico is not leading—it’s losing.

NM is dead last in child well-being—But MLG claims we’re leading Read More »

MLG’s secret email purge: 30-day policy could bury public records for good

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The far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration is under fire after quietly implementing a sweeping new email deletion policy that critics warn could block the public from accessing vital records and communications within state government.

As first reported last week, the New Mexico Department of Information Technology (DoIT) drastically reduced the time deleted emails are kept on file, from one year to just 30 days. After that, they will be “permanently purged,” eliminating the opportunity for journalists, watchdog groups, and citizens to request or recover those communications under public records laws.

A memo obtained by The Santa Fe New Mexican confirms that the policy applies to the “Executive Branch Microsoft 365 tenant,” a technical term encompassing all cabinet-level agencies and their affiliated offices—essentially every agency directly under Gov. Lujan Grisham’s control.

Pressed for details, DoIT offered a statement soaked in bureaucratic jargon. But the intent behind the move couldn’t be clearer: erase the digital paper trail as quickly as possible and make it harder for the public to hold the government accountable.

“DoIT recently made a change to the default period during which deleted emails are retained before they are permanently deleted,” the agency said. “This was to better manage the state’s digital storage space and avoid unnecessary retention of emails that do not fall under the records retention requirements of the State Commission of Public Records Rule 1.21.2 NMAC.”

In other words, the administration claims it’s about saving space—yet this so-called “efficiency” comes at the expense of transparency. Critics say the new rule could allow public officials to delete sensitive communications and wait out the 30-day clock before anyone knows to request them.

Worse still, DoIT put the burden on individual agencies to request longer retention periods if they “feel” they need more time to back up essential records. “If an agency feels that they cannot back up all emails that should not have been deleted within thirty days,” the department noted, “they can contact DoIT and DoIT will set a longer retention time for that agency.”

The move appears designed to create confusion and loopholes, allowing selective preservation of records while giving agencies under Lujan Grisham’s control cover to delete inconvenient emails quickly and quietly.

“It is the responsibility of each agency to manage its own records,” DoIT concluded, effectively shielding the governor from responsibility if critical documents vanish.

With this new policy, the Lujan Grisham regime has laid the groundwork for an iron curtain of secrecy over state government. It’s a calculated step away from transparency and a slap in the face to every New Mexican who expects honesty and openness from public servants.

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President Trump’s border crackdown scores major win in New Mexico

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In a resounding win for law and order on the southern border, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico has secured the first two criminal convictions under military trespass and defense property security statutes, underscoring the success of bold new enforcement tools spearheaded under the Trump administration’s border security vision.

The landmark convictions come just months after a National Defense Area (NDA) was established along a critical stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico, bolstering the military’s authority to deter unlawful entry into the United States. The NDA—a 60-foot-wide, 170-mile-long military-controlled zone managed by the U.S. Army—was approved in April 2025, marking a historic moment in the fight to shut down illegal crossings in some of the most vulnerable parts of the border.

These newly enforced statutes, Title 50 U.S.C. § 797 and Title 18 U.S.C. § 1382, authorize federal criminal penalties for those who violate security regulations or trespass onto military property. Now, for the first time, they have been successfully deployed to crack down on repeated illegal entries by criminal trespassers.

Andres De Los Santos-Martinez and Eduardo Herrera-Juvencio, both Mexican nationals previously deported, were arrested on June 1, 2025, in Doña Ana County after unlawfully re-entering the United States through a non-designated location within the National Defense Area. Both men had already been warned in Spanish during prior apprehensions on May 7 that they were entering a restricted military zone—yet they returned in flagrant violation of federal law. Each pleaded guilty to re-entry after deportation, willfully violating defense property security regulations, and military trespass.

“These first convictions reflect the resolve of the United States Attorney’s Office to do its part in securing our nation’s southern border,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, who has made prosecuting border-related crimes a top priority. “I am tremendously proud of our staff in the Las Cruces Branch Office, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. military for their relentless efforts to secure our southern border. New Mexico—and the entire country—is more secure because of these efforts.”

The NDA, clearly marked with signs in both English and Spanish warning of federal prosecution for unauthorized entry, is one of the most aggressive and innovative tools yet implemented to fight criminal trespass along the border—an idea long championed by President Donald J. Trump during his administration. The success of this enforcement signals what is possible when federal, military, and border authorities work hand-in-hand.

Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector echoed that sentiment: “Let this send the message that entering the United States illegally is a crime; and if you do so in an area marked as a National Defense Area, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and removed far from the border.”

The convictions represent a sharp departure from the lawlessness tolerated under previous administrations, and a much-needed return to accountability at the southern border. The defendants remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing and will face deportation following completion of their prison terms.

The cases were investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Saltman and Alyson Hehr.

President Trump’s border crackdown scores major win in New Mexico Read More »

Photo rendering of the proposed Holtec consolidated interim storage facility courtesy of Holtec International.

SCOTUS decides fate of Holtec’s planned spent fuel site in NM

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The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major ruling Wednesday that reopens the path for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel in southeastern New Mexico, rejecting a lower court’s attempt to block the project. 

The 6-3 decision reversed a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that had invalidated a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license for a similar facility in West Texas.

The decision also breathes new life into plans for a nearly identical site just across the state line in New Mexico’s Lea County, about 40 miles from the Texas site. The facility, spearheaded by Holtec International, would store spent nuclear fuel, material left over from nuclear reactors, temporarily.

Holtec, a Florida-based company specializing in nuclear decommissioning and fuel storage, secured a license from the NRC for its New Mexico facility near Carlsbad. The license permits operation for 40 years, with the option for a 40-year renewal. 

Although the Court’s ruling is not a final endorsement of the license, it removes a significant legal obstacle that had stalled progress.

The Supreme Court’s ruling comes amid a growing national backlog of spent nuclear fuel. More than 100,000 tons of the material are currently stored at nuclear plant sites across the country, some of which date back to the 1980s. 

That amount increases by roughly 2,000 tons each year. The nation’s long-term plan to permanently store the material at Yucca Mountain in Nevada remains stalled due to political opposition, particularly from Nevada officials and residents.

New Mexico’s own leftist political leadership has strongly opposed the Holtec project. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was among those resisting the NRC’s licensing decisions. 

The heavily Democrat-dominated New Mexico Legislature has even passed legislation aimed at blocking high-level nuclear waste storage within the state’s borders. However, this is now nullified due to the Court’s decision.

Holtec welcomed the Court’s ruling as “a significant win for the nuclear industry,” saying it confirmed the NRC’s long-held authority to issue licenses for offsite storage of spent nuclear fuel. The company emphasized that the ruling would help prevent prolonged litigation aimed at delaying the implementation of safe storage solutions.

SCOTUS decides fate of Holtec’s planned spent fuel site in NM Read More »

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