Statement: New Mexico Senate passes landmark legislation to tackle climate change

Environment New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Energy Transition Act (SB489) passed the New Mexico Senate 32-9 with bipartisan support. The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Jacob Candelaria and Mimi Stewart and Rep. Nathan Small, sets standards for New Mexico utilities to get at least 50 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2045.

Environment New Mexico director Sanders Moore issued the following statement:

“Environment New Mexico applauds the New Mexico Senate for passing the Energy Transition Act today. New Mexicans strongly support meeting our energy needs without polluting our air and water or changing our climate and our Senators demonstrated today that they are listening. This legislation will help New Mexico transition to a future based on clean, renewable energy to improve our environment and public health and fight climate change.

“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in our state, from extreme drought to wildfires and flooding. Transitioning our electricity generation from fossil fuels to renewable energy will ensure that New Mexico is doing its part to fight global warming.”

Environment New Mexico has been working with a coalition of organizations and groups that support strong renewable energy standards and making New Mexico a leader in solar, wind, and geothermal energy, while weaning the state off the fossil fuels that cause so many health and environmental problems.