Sen. Shannon Pinto Senate District 3 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
On Friday, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Energy Transition Act (SB489) into law. This legislation mandates a transition to 100% carbon-free energy for the state. The bill was introduced in February and passed by the state legislature last week.
The new law aims for electricity generation to be completely carbon-free by 2045 for investor-owned utilities and by 2050 for rural cooperative utilities. It also includes plans for a just transition for plant and mine workers, alongside additional investment in the Four Corners area where the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station will be decommissioned.
Governor Lujan Grisham's action aligns with her decision to join New Mexico to the U.S. Climate Alliance, joining 21 other states. New Mexico becomes the third state to set a standard of 100% clean energy, following California and Hawaii. Other states such as Washington, Nevada, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Florida have also introduced similar legislation.
Michael Brune, Executive Director of Sierra Club, commented on this development: “The 100 percent clean-energy revolution has arrived. New Mexico is ushering in a sea change that’s rippling across the United States and the world... We won’t stop working until we’re sure that the road we’re taking is just, equitable, and lifts up all members of every community."
Camilla Feibelman from Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter expressed her pride: “I’m proud to call New Mexico my home... Moving away from damaging fossil fuels toward 100 percent clean energy will bolster our economy... Thanks to the governor and leaders at the legislature for standing with and for us as we work together toward a fossil-fuel-free future.”
