Los Alamos Reporter

Legislature: Bold Act To Address Climate Change Introduced On House Floor

HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS

The Climate Solutions Act charts a bold path to address climate change in New Mexico, promotes jobs, economic development, and innovation, and supports communities

This morning, a robust plan to address climate change, diversify New Mexico’s economy, and lift up the state’s workers and communities was introduced in the House of Representatives. The first of its kind in the nation, the bill will help set the state on a more secure economic and environmental footing.

Sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), and Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) House Bill 9: “The Climate Solutions Act,” is a New Mexico-made solution to address our climate crisis. It establishes nation-leading carbon reduction targets, incentivizes businesses to find solutions, and encourages the development of a skilled workforce, markets, and technologies, all while supporting and uplifting hard-working New Mexicans through the transition. 

“This bill represents a truly comprehensive and community-based approach to addressing climate change by establishing ambitious targets and supporting a just transition for New Mexico’s workers, families, and communities,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Bold climate action must go hand-in-hand with supporting our communities and creating new economic opportunities and good-paying jobs.”

“Our future depends on New Mexicans having a seat at the table. This bill builds on work carried out in communities across the state to identify how we diversify and grow our economy while empowering our communities,” said Rep. Rubio. “The Climate Solutions Act is a New Mexico-made plan that codifies our climate goals while empowering our communities to develop new economic opportunities and jobs.” 

House Bill 9 sets trailblazing carbon-reduction goals while establishing a framework to protect New Mexico’s natural environment, foster economic development, and diversification, and grow new technologies, industries, and jobs. The main points within the bill are:

  • Codifies elements of Governor Lujan Grisham’s climate Executive Order (2019-003), establishing statewide greenhouse gas emissions standards, with a goal of a 50% reduction in GHG’s by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • Institutionalizes a cabinet-level climate leadership council with a sub-council focused on economic and workforce development, requires state agencies to issue and implement climate and community-based policies to address climate and economic development goals. 
  • Supports communities, especially tribal, rural, and disproportionately impacted communities in charting their own future in economic development.

Following today’s introduction in the House, House Bill 9 has been assigned its first committee hearing in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

Members of the public can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website and access committee meetings and House floor sessions on the Webcasts tab. During the 2021 Legislative Session, the House of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.