SANTA FE – Yesterday, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Executive Order (EO) 2024-152 to expedite New Mexico’s transition to a clean energy economy through climate ready workforce development. The EO followed the unveiling of the United States Climate Alliance Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative, which calls for states to adopt strategies creating pathways into climate-ready professions to address the climate crisis. The EO also marks a next step in the state’s energy transition following federal and state policy passage, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the New Mexico Sustainable Economy Task Force, and tax incentives for renewable energy infrastructure.
In response, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) Chief Operating Officer Molly Taylor and Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director Camilla Feibelman issued the following statements:
“Our communities are facing the full brunt of the climate crisis, from devastating fires and floods to extreme heat. We need robust climate-resilience, including infrastructure upgrades, watershed protection, and wildfire prevention. At the same time, New Mexico is already benefiting from state and federal policies that are bolstering our renewable energy economy, including the Inflation Reduction Act and community solar. As we continue to move forward, it is essential that we prepare the state’s workforce to step into renewable energy and climate resilience careers. We applaud Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and her administration for ensuring that New Mexico can fully embrace a renewable energy
and climate-resilient future through the commitments outlined in Executive Order 2024- 152.” – Molly Taylor, CVNM Chief Operating Officer
“New Mexicans want career pathways that create good-paying, equitable jobs for themselves and their communities. With the renewable energy boom, we are well-poised to become an example of what a robust and sustainable renewable energy workforce could look like for the nation. Intentional investments, like centering equitable workforce recruitment, training, and development, are key to ensuring that our state’s most impacted communities are first in line for these opportunities and fully realize an equitable economic transition. We thank the Administration for their commitment in ensuring that New Mexico is moving this important work forward.” – Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director
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CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.
The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led organization representing more than 7,000 members in New Mexico and West Texas. Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet, and we prioritize action on protecting our climate, clean air, clean water, and conservation of wildlife and public lands in New Mexico and West Texas.
