State Leaders and Advocates Begin Discussion on Environmental Justice, Clean Energy, and Infrastructure Development
Congresswoman Stansbury and State Representatives met with dozens of advocates and issue experts to start building a roadmap for equitable infrastructure and clean energy growth
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, elected leaders, state officials, advocates, and community members gathered at the State Capitol to start a discussion about how New Mexico can ensure environmental justice and equity as the state develops infrastructure and transitions toward a clean energy economy.
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01) and State Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), who serves as Chair of the House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvement Committee, provided introductory remarks. The group then explored the role of climate justice and equity within infrastructure and clean energy development in New Mexico.
Alexis Mena and Guillermo Ortiz from the Natural Resources Defense Council also presented a first of its kind proposal for a new Equity Screening Tool for infrastructure projects in the state.
“As New Mexico moves toward a clean energy economy, we must bring everyone to the table so that all of our diverse communities have a say in the future we are building for our state,” said Rep. Hochman-Vigil. “Today’s discussions brought to light key perspectives and considerations that will help guide the development of clean energy infrastructure in New Mexico. I look forward to continuing these important conversations throughout the interim and into the coming session.”
“Fighting the climate crisis takes all of us,” said Congresswoman Stansbury. “There is always more the Federal government can do to support our impoverished, rural, and frontline communities, as well as communities of color and Tribal communities - that includes partnering with state and local governments. The equity screening tool for infrastructure projects proposed and discussed today is one way we strengthen those partnerships and ensure a just climate transition for all.”
Additional participants included House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Reps. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), Senators Bill Tallman (D-Albuquerque) and Leo Jaramillo (D-Española), Governor J. Michael Chavarria of Santa Clara Pueblo, and Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.
Representatives also joined from the offices of U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, the Office of the Governor, the office of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, NMDOT, the New Mexico Economic Development Department, UNM’s Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program, and Bernalillo County Natural Resource Services.
Representatives from more than a dozen advocacy groups also joined the discussion, including the Sierra Club, the New Mexico Social Justice & Equity Institute, United South Broadway, Sovereign Energy, Tewa Women United, and the Thornburg Foundation.
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