By Rep. Meredith Dixon
Vice Chair House Appropriation and Finance
District 20 Bernalillo

The climate crisis is urgent, and we need to do everything we possibly can to reduce carbon emissions. So, when I see an opportunity to contribute to the fight, I’m all in. 

My passion for addressing climate change as well as moving New Mexico forward economically is why I believe we need legislation to modernize our approach to energy production and reducing emissions. In my view, in order to create the necessary tools and incentives, we must be creative and willing to expand our Economic Development Department to prioritize sustainable energy technologies.

To some this may be an outside-the-box idea, but there is no denying that establishing a framework for supporting the development and expansion of advanced energy technologies is crucial to meeting our sustainable energy goals and becoming carbon free by 2045.

As a legislator, I spend a lot of time with entrepreneurs and other creative minds who in turn spend a lot of their time searching for innovative solutions to big problems — including emissions reduction. Their passion is what gives me hope that we can solve the climate crisis, and working with these eager, imaginative minds is one of the best parts of my job.

Our state has much to offer and is in a unique position to become a leader in advanced energy – from our national labs, research universities, abundant renewable resources, and energy technologies. 

But too often, I see that the efforts of the brightest and most committed minds are hampered by “the way we’ve always done things” here in New Mexico. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had someone share what could be a genuine solution to a problem, only to discover that the ability to give it a try is hampered by fear of making incremental progress, or allowing the perfect to be the enemy of the good. 

Let’s be clear — I love that our New Mexico culture is uniquely rooted in our past. We must continue to protect our heritage, fiercely and passionately, and I hope that never changes.

But as the climate crisis accelerates and the need for serious, sustainable solutions accelerates along with it, we urgently need to embrace new technologies that allow us to reduce emissions while also meeting the energy demands of today.

Virtually by definition, those solutions will come from those bright, agile, passionate minds. I look forward to continuing my work to provide the appropriate framework for them to succeed.