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 

Saturday, a New Mexico-made climate solutions plan that focuses on supporting communities and workers as the state transitions to a clean energy economy, has passed the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee 

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 robust plan to fight climate change, diversify New Mexico’s economy, and lift up our state’s workers and communities. The bill establishes nation-leading carbon reduction targets, incentivizes businesses to find solutions, and encourages the development of a skilled workforce, markets, and technologies to power New Mexico into a clean energy future. 

“We are thrilled at the passage of the Climate Solutions Act in Committee this morning.  The CSA will empower our state and communities to reimagine and build a more just, equitable, and climate-resilient future,” said Rep. Stansbury.  “The testimony of community members from across the state — from Shiprock to Hobbs, Las Cruces to Albuquerque — speaks to critical urgency of taking action now.  This bill creates a framework for addressing climate change while diversifying and building our economy and putting New Mexicans in the driver’s seat.  New Mexico is truly leading the way!” 

 
“This policy is a New Mexico-made solution that has been years in the making,” said Rep. Rubio. “Communities from across our state, representing New Mexicans of all ethnicities and backgrounds, are experiencing the existential impacts of climate change. The Climate Solutions Act represents their collective efforts to ensure a just transition to a clean energy future where every community thrives.” 

House Bill 9 sets nation-leading 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 key elements of the bill include: 

• Codifying the fundamentals of Governor Lujan Grisham’s climate Executive Order (2019-003), and establishing statewide greenhouse gas emissions standards, with goals of a 50% reduction in GHGs by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. 

• Supporting communities, especially tribal, rural, and disproportionately impacted communities in charting their own future in economic development.  

• Institutionalizing a cabinet-level climate leadership council with a sub-council focused on economic and workforce development, and requiring state agencies to issue and implement climate and community-based policies to address climate and economic development goals.  

A myriad of groups and organizations representing workers, ranchers, environmental groups, trades groups, and grassroots organizations have endorsed House Bill 9, including 38 labor organizations under the New Mexico Federation of Labor and AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, Center for Civic Policy, Environmental Defense Fund, OLÉ, and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.  

A committee substitute for House Bill 9 was introduced in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, passing in a 7-4 party-line vote. It will be heard next in the House State Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs 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.