FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 20th, 2020
Contact: Molly Taylor, 505-554-4115 or Molly@cvnm.org
CVNM Applauds Passage of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Bills In 2020 Legislative Session
Santa Fe, N.M. — Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM), a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to connect New Mexicans to their political power for a healthy Land of Enchantment, advocated for or against 45 pieces of legislation at the State Capitol during New Mexico’s 2020 Legislative Session. Of those policies, CVNM applauds the passage of four bills that protect our air, land, water and wildlife and now head to the Governor’s desk for signature. They include:
- HB 233 – Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap, sponsored by Representatives Stansbury, Akhil, Small, and Senators Woods and Stewart. This legislation establishes a roadmap to assist New Mexico in modernizing the state energy grid, which will help more families have access to more renewable energy resources.
- HB 304 – Transfer Outdoor Equity Grant Program, sponsored by Representative Rubio. This legislation align the administration of the Outdoor Equity Fund grant program with the intent of the Outdoor Recreation Division, helping to ensure that New Mexico’s youth have equitable access to the outdoors.
- SB 29 – Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit, sponsored by Senator Stewart and Representative McQueen. This bill incentivizes installation of solar energy systems and utilizing renewable resources to produce energy.
- SB 75 – Wildlife Trafficking Act, sponsored by Senator Stewart. This legislation makes trafficking of animal species threatened with extinction a misdemeanor and establishes penalties and enforcement guidance.
In response, Conservation Voters New Mexico Political and Legislative Director, Ben Shelton, released the following statement:
“As New Mexico taps more fully into our renewable energy potential, these policies will be integral in ensuring that New Mexico families and communities are resourced and ready to invest in the clean energy future. We want to thank the many organizations and legislators that have worked for years to advocate for incentives for rooftop solar and renewable energy, especially Environment New Mexico, Senator Stewart, and Representative McQueen. We also applaud Representatives Stansbury, Akhil and Senator Stewart for their visionary leadership in bringing forward legislation that examines our entire electrical grid, and helps prepare New Mexico for robust renewable energy production.”
Conservation Voters New Mexico Public Lands & Wildlife Advocate, Greg Peters, released the following statement:
“The passage of the Wildlife Trafficking Act is an enormous victory for conservation and endangered species protection that has been several years in the making. The passage of this bill was made possible by the hard work of our allies at Defenders of Wildlife, Ruth Musgrave, Kent Salazar, Representative Gail Chasey and most importantly Senator Mimi Stewart. We are also proud of the unanimous passage of HB 304, transferring the Outdoor Equity Fund to the Division of Outdoor Recreation. This move will enable the fund to allow low-income youth to experience the state’s public lands, waters, and recreational opportunities.”
CVNM’s legislative priorities include issues such as air quality, water, energy and climate change, effective government, environmental justice, wildlife and habitat conservation. CVNM’s legislative priorities form the basis of our Conservation Scorecard, published after each legislative session. The Scorecard provides objective, nonpartisan information about the conservation voting records of all members of the legislature.
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CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. We do this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable and advancing responsible public policies.
