Heather Berghmans Senate District 15 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
A recent national report highlights the importance of integrating energy equity into climate policies in New Mexico. Researchers from PSE Healthy Energy examined decarbonization strategies across Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico to understand how equity can be incorporated into state and federal policies.
James Povijua, Policy Director for the Center for Civic Policy, emphasized the need for New Mexico to implement climate change policies that do not disproportionately affect low- to moderate-income communities of color. He stated, "This report lays bare the disproportionate impacts of climate change that many low- and moderate-income communities of color experience and will likely experience if we don’t implement the right policy changes now."
Miya King-Flaherty from the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter highlighted the necessity of involving frontline communities in policy-making decisions. She said, "We must address the concept of energy sacrifice zones and include frontline communities in conversations about policy-making decisions to reduce carbon emissions and find equitable solutions that work for everyone."
The report aims to guide environmental justice efforts in New Mexico by avoiding potential disconnects between energy equity and climate policy.
