Governor Lujan Grisham will return everyday New Mexican voices to the center of our state government

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Demis Foster, Executive Director of Conservation Voters New Mexico

With Michelle Lujan Grisham at the helm, New Mexicans can be assured that their voice will be heard, creating a metamorphosis of how our state operates and who our government serves.

We at CVNM have been working hard to ensure the incoming administration reflects New Mexicans’ shared conservation values since we gave Governor Susana Martinez an “F” in our Conservation Scorecard four years ago. She made it clear on her first day that she stood with her well-connected corporate donors, not with everyday New Mexicans. When a tone is set like that at the top, our people suffer the most.

Our vision is for New Mexicans to thrive in equitable, resilient communities where our conservation and cultural values guide our decision-makers and public policies. The 2018 elections dramatically reshaped New Mexico’s political landscape, making the path to this vision a reality.

CVNM supported Rep. Lujan Grisham early because of her commitments to diversifying New Mexico’s economy by investing strongly in clean energy and protecting the health of our families. We – like Governor Lujan Grisham – support the policies that New Mexicans want such as a significant increase in clean energy like wind and solar, a statewide methane capture rule and statewide water planning.

With clean energy costs competitive with fossil fuels right now, the barriers to a clean energy future are no longer technical or economic; they’re political. When New Mexicans elected Michelle Lujan Grisham – their choice was clear. It’s time for our elected leaders to stand up for you and me and create the change we need to authentically diversify our economy.

Voters have a strong desire for new industries and opportunities in New Mexico – and they know that clean energy is a valuable part of our economy and path to prosperity for our state.

New Mexicans know that we should be leading the nation in clean energy, but right now we’re just losing out. CVNM, our allies in the environmental community and New Mexicans will be advocating to increase our Renewable Portfolio Standard to 80 percent by 2040, which will encourage exactly what New Mexicans want: new thriving industries, industries that will create good paying jobs

This proposal will boost our economy and protect the air our children breathe and the water they drink. It will also keep electricity costs more stable over time. Diversifying our economy makes a stronger economy for all of us.

We are looking forward to partnering with Governor Lujan Grisham and the new pro-conservation majority in the Legislature to return everyday New Mexican voices to the center of our state government

Demis Foster is the executive director of Conservation Voters New Mexico, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit that connects New Mexicans to their political power to protect our air, land and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. Visit www.CVNM.org for more information. The views in this column are the author’s alone and do not reflect the view or opinions of New Mexico In Depth.

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