CVNM Executive Director Demis Foster
CVNM News:
SANTA FE — Friday, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) joined the Biden-Harris Administration and leaders from the Southwest at the White House to discuss the ways that recent federal legislation passage has impacted local communities.
The forum, titled “Communities in Action: Building a Better New Mexico” featured group briefings by White House officials, and roundtable discussions to share stories from local communities.
After the event, CVNM Executive Director Demis Foster released the following statement:
“It is clear that the Biden-Harris Administration is deeply committed to ensuring that policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directly serve and benefit the communities most directly experiencing the climate crisis. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration has also prioritized state policy action, like community solar and strong renewable energy standards, that is well-poised to utilize new federal funds.
“While there is still more work to do, the IRA charts a strong course for a new direction at the federal and state level. As Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said best earlier today, ‘The time for climate action is now. Our communities need access to clean air and water.’
“New Mexico’s climate is changing at a pace beyond most other states, bringing massive wildfires, floods, aridification, drying reservoirs and rivers, and disruption of centuries of traditional land and water use. These changes impact not only our communities, but also our wildlife and the larger ecosystem we are all a part of.
“Over the past several years, we have worked closely with community leaders across the state to build support for climate action, including the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Leaders have shared stories about the ways their homes and neighborhoods, even their way of life, are being transformed due to climate change, and urged state and Congressional leaders to invest meaningfully in local infrastructure.
“I carried those stories with me to the White House today to illustrate the impact policy action on climate will have for New Mexicans, and ensure the climate continues to be front of mind for our policymakers.”