Senate Finance Committee Passes Key Community Benefits Fund Initiative

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Clear Horizons New Mexico, a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 33 organizations and businesses across New Mexico, applauds the Senate Finance Committee for passing the Community Benefit Fund, made up of Senate Bills 48 and 49. Senate Bill 48 passed the Senate Finance Committee on 7-4 do-pass vote, while its companion bill Senate Bill 49 that houses the funding remains in the committee, waiting to be absorbed into the state budget bill, House Bill 2.  The vote was taken late Wednesday, February 19.

The Community Benefit Fund, Senate Bills 48 and 49, would invest $340 million in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by climate change, providing resources for workforce development and retraining, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and other projects that reduce carbon pollution all while building a sustainable economy.

The Clear Horizons New Mexico Coalition is a partnership of New Mexicans across the state from 33 climate, equity, social justice, and conservation organizations and businesses that are raising their voice in unison for climate action in the Land of Enchantment. At Clear Horizons, we celebrate our promise and commitment to keeping New Mexico beautiful and prosperous for everyone, now and in the future.  New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power & Light is one of 33 organizations comprising the Clear Horizons coalition. Other partners are  350 New Mexico, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Creciendo Nuevo Mexico, E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, GreenLatinos, GRID Alternatives, Healthy Climate New Mexico, Moms Clean Air Force New Mexico chapter, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council),, NM CAFe, NM Climate Investment Center, NM Native Vote, NMVC Action Fund, Positive Energy Solar, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, Renewable Energy Industries Association of NM, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Sovereign Energy, SWEEP (Southwest Energy Efficiency Project), the Semilla Project, Western Environmental Law Center, Western Leaders Network, and Western Resource Advocates.

Call to Action: River Mile 163 Project

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Our friends at Valencia Water Watchers are asking for help to get the word out about destruction that is happening along a stretch of the Rio Grande Bosque near Los Lunas. This destruction is resulting from work being done for the River Mile 163 Project.
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Mature cottonwoods have already been cut, and the access road looks like a moonscape with all trees and vegetation completely ripped out.

We are asking for your help to pause the destruction.

The scope of the original project has been exceeded, and an Environmental Impact Statement is needed before any more work is done on this project.

The local residents want the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to pause the tree cutting and start removing and/or mulching the downed trees and vegetation to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire in the area.

Background on River Mile 163 Maintenance Project

The BOR has started chopping mature cottonwoods and clear-cutting access roads in the Bosque toward the river.

Despite many concerns, no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed. Residents gave extensive feedback, and BOR reassured property owners that they would minimize cottonwood removal. However, significant tree removal has already started, raising concerns about the ecological impact and fire risk from all downed trees and slash.

Concerns

  • The sandbars provide a critical habitat for migratory birds and many species

  • Mature cottonwoods are being taken down

  • Fire risk from slash that has not been cleaned up from the project

How to Take Action to Pause Project Mile 163 ASAP

  1. Call Bureau of Reclamation: 505-462-3540

  2. Call MRGCD 505-247-0234  or email: https://www.mrgcd.com/contact-us/

  3. Attend the MRGCD meeting on March 10th, 3pm
    at MRGCD Headquarters (1931 2nd St SW, Albuquerque) OR Join the MRGCD Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/2765069278?pwd=V2d0SWppTkxGTTFMb0g5RFhmeERjZz09

Talking Points

Pause the project to allow for the following:

  • Clean up the slash that has already been cut to minimize the fire risk created by the damage to and destruction of vegetation;

  • Prepare the Environmental Impact Statement and publish for comment. This statement should correctly disclose the amount of area to be affected by the project using actual data instead of the inaccurate estimates contained in the environmental assessment.

  • Keep intact a healthy Bosque ecosystem (don’t moonscape it)

  • Abide by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act – nesting season is about to begin. The MBTA protects hundreds of species of birds with fluctuating migrations, not just birds that winter in the Bosque.

Here are links to more information about this “Los Lunas RM 163 River Maintenance Project”

IPL New Mexico Joins More than 100 Advocates Calling for Support of Clean Truck Policies

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IPL New Mexico & El Paso is among a  diverse set of more than 100 environmental, health, and public interest groups who sent an open letter calling on governors across the U.S. to maintain support for clean trucks policies, amidst backlash from some corners of the trucking industry. The Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) standards are poised to create billions of dollars in economic, environmental, and public health benefits in the 11 states that have adopted the program.

 Implementation of ACT in New Mexico and Colorado is estimated to create more than $23.9 billion combined in cumulative net societal benefits through 2050. There are already more than 6,800 zero-emission vehicles registered in these two neighboring states alone.

Many of the states that have adopted the ACT rule already have funding in place to incentivize the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. For example, New Jersey’s Clean Fleet EV Program provides grants to help public and nonprofit fleet operators deploy charging infrastructure for electric trucks and buses. Washington provides clean alternative fuel vehicle tax credits to help businesses deploy zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The tax credit covers up to 75% or $100,000 of the cost of heavy-duty vehicles, and also funds vehicle leases.

“The United States shouldn’t be the last person in town selling horseshoes while the global market races towards electric vehicles,” said Guillermo Ortiz, Senior Clean Vehicles Advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Advanced Clean Trucks standards are our roadmap to reclaim global leadership in clean transportation — not by clinging to legacy technologies but by outpacing the world in innovation. The states that have adopted ACT aren’t just setting targets; they’re forging a blueprint to save lives, create the industries of tomorrow, and prioritize communities long burdened by pollution. The future isn’t inherited; it’s built. Let’s make sure more states join this race — because the world isn’t waiting, and neither should we.”