New Mexico Approves Funds for Uranium Mine Cleanup and Mosquito Control

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The New Mexico Senate Conservation Committee has unanimously approved a bill that will allocate $50 million for the cleanup of abandoned uranium mine sites across the state. Lawmakers also approved $2 million for a statewide mosquito surveillance program to address the growing West Nile virus threat. Additionally, Democratic legislators are working on a bill to enforce the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals, aiming for a 100% reduction by 2050.

Why it matters

New Mexico has a long history of uranium mining, which has left behind thousands of contaminated sites that pose health and environmental risks. Addressing this legacy of environmental damage is crucial for the state's public health and safety. The mosquito control funding is also timely, as the state has seen a rise in West Nile virus cases, with the illness impacting even lawmakers' own families.

The details

The $50 million investment in uranium mine cleanup will target an estimated 1,000 abandoned sites across New Mexico that were left over from the defense era. These lands have been contaminated and radioactive for generations. The $2 million mosquito surveillance program is aimed at addressing the growing West Nile virus threat, which has resulted in cases in every county in the state.

• The Senate Conservation Committee unanimously approved the uranium mine cleanup bill on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
• The committee also approved the $2 million mosquito surveillance program request on January 30, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Democratic lawmakers are also working on a bill to enforce the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals, aiming for a 100% reduction by 2050.