The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Conversations Different interviewed Tom Solomon with 350NM and Camilla Feibelman with Sierra Club about Clean Cars & Trucks. The new podcast is entitled
A look at efforts to accelerate New Mexico’s electric vehicle transition
A great new tool for electric vehicle owners in New Mexico, EValuateNM is now available! You can access it at this link: EValuateNM – Atlas Public Policy (atlaspolicy.com) and it has tons of awesome data, like EV registrations by county and electric utility service territory, EV market share, and charging station development. For example, did you know that between September 2022 and September 2023 New Mexico added 137 new DCFC ports? Those are the kind of fun facts you can find with EValuateNM!
Photo: First Presbyterian Church (Santa Fe)
Rev. Harry Eberts, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe, added his voice to faith leaders advocating for New Mexico to adopt Advanced Clean Car standards ahead of important hearings in November. Here are excerpts of an opinion piece in the Santa Fe New Mexican (followed by a link to the full op-ed)
As a faith leader and pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, a congregation that is working to reduce our environmental footprint, I believe each of us is called to respond to this moment in ways that move us toward responsibly caring for the gifts of creation we have been given.
I am grateful that in November, New Mexico leaders will be called to such a response as they consider the governor’s recommendation to adopt advanced clean vehicle standards. Updating these standards will require auto and truck manufacturers to deliver an increasing number of electric vehicles for sale in the region, creating jobs, broader accessibility, cleaner air and helping us significantly curb statewide carbon emissions.
Our Environmental Improvement Board and Albuquerque Bernalillo Air Quality Board will have the opportunity to adopt these standards up to 2035 so we are afforded the best chance at making our state healthier and more equitable for all New Mexicans
This opportunity is made even more important because of incoming federal legislation over the next decade that will continue to help create electric vehicle infrastructure, especially charging stations. Such infrastructure is a necessity in our very rural state where many people must travel long distances as a regular part of their lives and work. This is New Mexico’s opportunity to ensure no one is left behind in the transformation and advancement of our transportation systems.