The New Mexico Public Education Department proposed to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards, with various amendments, which critics say will limit discussion of climate change and evolution in schools.

During his confirmation hearing, the Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department suggested that climate change is a natural phenomenon, which “has been with us since the beginning of time.” The Secretary downplayed humans’ role in climate change and suggested, contrary to numerous scientific studies, that natural gas extraction has not contributed to a “methane hotspot” over New Mexico.