Energy and Environment
Rep. Lujan Grisham tours LEED Platinum certified affordable housing complex Silver Garden Apartments (August 2016)
Energy and Environment
New Mexico prides itself on its pristine land, natural beauty and world-class energy resources. As a twelfth generation New Mexican, my deep-rooted values in our state have taught me to appreciate our natural resources and protect our air, water, land, and wildlife.
New Mexico’s Role in Improving the Environment
New Mexico is in the middle of a climate crisis. Our drought conditions remain one of the worst in the nation, we’ve experienced some of the most costly and destructive wildfires in history. We have an obligation to act on behalf of future generations of New Mexicans and Americans to reduce our carbon footprint and lay the foundation for a cleaner energy future.
Our state should be an environmental leader by investing in projects that are good for the environment and good for the economy, such as clean energy, green manufacturing and mass transit. As the home to Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, New Mexico is unique in that our state has the potential to become the nationwide leader in developing clean energy technologies. In fact, we have some of the best wind and solar resources in the nation, and I am committed to doing whatever I can to facilitate investments in the renewable energy sector, which will create jobs, diversity our economy, bring needed revenue into to the state, and help safeguard our planet for generations to come.
The Trump Administration’s Assault on the Environment
Since taking over as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt has reversed much of the important progress that the Obama Administration made. He has undermined clean air, water, and public health protections and proposed cuts to important environmental programs. In one of his most irresponsible actions, Administrator Pruitt announced in October 2017 the decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which would have reduced U.S. carbon pollution by over 30% by 2030. These short-sighted decisions will cause long-term damage to our health and economy. In fact, scientists estimate that the Clean Power Plan alone would have reduced childhood asthma cases by 90,000.
National Monuments
I strongly support the Antiquities Act, and I will do everything I can to protect our national monuments from President Trump's assault on some of our nation's most treasured possessions, including his decision to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase as well as altering the designation of some of New Mexico's national monuments. Every one of our nation's national monuments deserves protection and any effort to weaken their current protections ignores the irreplaceable role these monuments play in our nation's economy and culture.
Both the Rio Grande del Norte and the Organ Mountains provide outstanding opportunities for recreation, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and seeing centuries-old petroglyphs. Each of these activities creates a deeper connection with the state's rich cultural heritage and also helps drive New Mexico's regional and statewide economy. I will continue do everything I can to preserve our nation's public lands to ensure they will be protected for the benefit.
Related Files
- Water Resources Development Act of 2013
- LWCF and Valle De Oro National Wildlife Project
- Eastern NM Water Pipeline
- Rehabilitation proposal for The De Anza Motor Lodge
- NM Drought Concerns Letter
- ABQ Water system improvement management letter
- Formulate and execute an initiative to commemprate the National Park centennial
- FINAL Wild and Scenic River FY14
- Final NOAA Ocean Observation
- State and Wildlife Grants FY2014