Statewide Coalition Supports Direct Investments to Strengthen Communities in the Community Benefit Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, February 8, 2025

Statewide Coalition Supports Direct Investments to Strengthen Communities in the Community Benefit Fund

Pro Tem Mimi Stewart’s Senate Bills 48 & 49 invest directly in local projects that create jobs, support families, and strengthen the communities most impacted by climate change, passed Senate Conservation 5-3

[Santa Fe, NM] – Today, Clear Horizons New Mexico, a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 31 organizations across New Mexico, applauds the Senate Conservation Committee for passing the Community Benefit Fund, made up of Senate Bills 48 and 49. Both bills passed the Senate Conservation Committee on 5-3 do-pass votes. Prior to the committee hearing, the Clear Horizons NM Coalition sent a letter urging the committee to support the Community Benefit Fund. Several members of the coalition provided public comment in support of the legislation.

The Community Benefit Fund is one of a suite of bills to address climate change that Senate President Pro Tempore of the Senate Mimi Stewart introduced in the 2025 legislative session. The rest of the suite includes Senate Bill 4, the Clear Horizons Act, and Senate Bill 83, the Innovation in Government Act. Senate Bill 4 provides the critical framework, tools and resources New Mexico needs to hold polluters accountable and protect communities from the worst impacts of climate change.

“New Mexicans want to keep our state beautiful, protect our cherished ways of life, and create new opportunities statewide for our families now and in the future. The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act will help our environment, our economy, and our communities for generations to come, and I urge my fellow legislators to join me in supporting these bills.” says Senate Pro-Tem Mimi Stewart.

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. How these funds will be dispersed is outlined below:

• $40 million to the Economic Development Department to diversify the state’s economy
• $20 million to the Community Energy Efficiency Development (CEED) Block Grant Fund
• $100 million to Grid Modernization Grant Fund
• $50 million to Transportation Project Fund
• $5 million to the State Supplemental Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Outdoor Equity Fund
• $40 million to the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
• $25 million to the Department of Workforce Solutions
• $60 million to the Public Schools Facilities Authority

The 2024 Conservation in the West poll found that 59% of New Mexicans consider climate change a serious issue. This is unsurprising given the various ways climate change impacts New Mexicans, including more severe wildfires and floods, extended droughts that limit water supplies, and more extreme weather events and heat. In fact, 183 out of 221 – 83% – of Governor Lujan Grisham’s 2024 executive orders were related to emergency funding to address the impacts of climate change.

“We are already paying for the impacts of climate change. These bills ensure that we address the root causes of climate change while simultaneously investing in a cleaner, healthier future for all New Mexicans,” says Ona Porter, MA, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader, Prosperity Works. “Pro Tem Stewart’s bills are bold and necessary steps forward in addressing the climate crisis and the direct impacts, such as more severe wildfires, extreme heat and drought, that communities are already experiencing.

The Community Benefit Fund could support projects like:

• Mora County Complex Community Center to provide assets to residents recovering from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fires.
• Eddy County Peregrine Energy Storage Project is set to transform roughly thirty acres of land into state-of-the-art battery storage to power communities with reliable renewable energy.
• Curry County Ute Reservoir Pipeline Project will help secure eastern New Mexico’s water future upon its completion, delivering water to communities such as Clovis, Cannon AFB, Portales, Texico, Elide, and portions of Curry and Roosevelt counties.

The Clear Horizons New Mexico Coalition is a partnership of advocates from 31 organizations supporting Pro Tem Stewart’s bills include: 350 New Mexico, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Climate Cabinet, 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), New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, NM CAFe, NM Climate Investment Center, NM Native Vote, NMVC Action Fund, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, 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.

Learn more about why advocates are supporting these vital investments in local projects below:

“Our families and communities deserve to be treated with respect and care, especially by companies and industries that can afford to do more to reduce pollution and create a healthier environment. With a regulatory framework and critical investments in long-term resiliency, we can create more good jobs and training programs for a diversified economy,” says Michael Leon Guerrero, Sustainable Economy Policy Advisor for the Center for Civic Policy. “We are proud to support the Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefits Fund, and Innovation in Government Act because we know that together, these bills will bring new economic opportunities, investments, and help meet urgent climate goals for the future of New Mexico.”

“As the Trump administration illegally circumvents Congress to thwart bipartisan federal investments like EV infrastructure, it has never been more important for states to step up as vehicles for climate and democratic resilience. The Community Benefit Fund and Clear Horizons Act ensure that New Mexico will invest in its transition to a clean energy economy in a way that creates jobs, forefronts environmental justice, and keeps costs down,” said Jordan Haedtler, New Mexico Policy Lead and Climate Financial Strategist at Climate Cabinet.

“The suite of bills sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart have come at a critical moment, when federal policies and programs dealing with climate change are being shredded and states must step up”, says Demis Foster, CEO for Conservation Voters New Mexico. “The Clear Horizons Act, the Community Benefit Fund and the Innovation in Government Act are a comprehensive response to climate change and the extreme events it helps create and amplify in New Mexico: fires, floods and long-term drought. The bills will make necessary investments in the energy transition and protect communities and New Mexico’s air, land, water, and wildlife.”

“At this crucial juncture, it is more important than ever to take meaningful action to reduce emissions and fight climate change,” says Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson of Earthworks. “This suite of bills will help New Mexico actually meet its emission reduction goals and hit its climate targets. Passing these bills is a necessary step towards our energy transition and to preserve New Mexico’s clean air and healthy environment.”

“Together, the Community Benefit Fund and Clear Horizons Act will protect communities from the worst impacts of climate change while creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and supporting local economies so that all New Mexicans prosper. We thank Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her leadership and urge the legislature to speed passage of these important bills,” said Michael Bueno, Senior Manager, State Climate Policy and Strategy at EDF Action.

“New Mexico has been considered a ‘sacrifice zone’ in order to benefit extractive industries. Our people are deserving of protection from the damage to our beautiful environment that these industries bring in order to create more shareholder value and profit for the wealthy. We are grateful to Senate Pro Tem Stewart for supporting the right to clean air, pure water, and healthy soil for our families, our neighbors, and our future generations. The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefits Fund, and The Innovations in Government Act will all move us towards a better life for ourselves and our descendants,” says Carlos Matutes, New Mexico Community Advocate with GreenLatinos.

“As health professionals, we know firsthand how extreme weather and climate change events are harming our patients and communities. No community is immune. These bold proposals will help protect the well-being of all New Mexicans, especially our most vulnerable populations. Grateful to all who are working to reduce climate pollution and invest in solutions to save lives now and for the future,” says Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH, Executive Director of Healthy Climate New Mexico.

“The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act reflect the bold and moral leadership New Mexico needs,” says Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light.  “We all have a sacred responsibility to protect this place and the promise it holds for all generations to come. Let us lean into this moment and lead from a place of courage and hope with legislation for a livable, healthy, just, and flourishing future for all our many diverse communities – a future we have, in equal measures, the right and the responsibility to protect.”

“New Mexico communities are worth investing in and the Community Benefit Fund does just that,” said Alexis Mena, New Mexico Policy Director at NRDC. “These bills lay the groundwork for creating healthy, thriving communities throughout New Mexico. They stand to drastically increase opportunity for those shouldering the greatest burdens of climate change while ensuring our state’s infrastructure and economy are resilient for years to come.”

“While we most often think of extreme climate events as fires and floods, think now about those suffering with huge energy bills that they are unlikely to be able to pay as we endure the deepest and longest extreme cold that we have seen in decades,” says Ona Porter, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader at Prosperity Works.  “With the Community Benefits Fund we will be able to more fully fund the Community Energy Efficiency Block Grant (CEED) that provides deep energy efficiency retrofits in the homes of our most vulnerable residents’ homes. Thank you, Senator Stewart!”

“The Semilla Project is thrilled to support Senate Bill 49, which is a groundbreaking step toward a sustainable and inclusive economic future for New Mexico. This legislation not only fosters innovative non-fossil fuel industries but also ensures crucial investments in communities historically impacted by environmental degradation.” said Jared Berenice Estrada, Advocacy and Programs Director for The Semilla Project.  “By channeling funds into sectors like renewable energy and green technologies, SB49 aligns perfectly with our mission to advocate for environmental justice and sustainable community development. We urge everyone to stand behind this bill, as it will create vital job opportunities, particularly for our youth, and pave the way for a healthier environment.”

“New Mexico has the workforce, the innovation and the leadership to protect our people from the devastating impacts of fires, floods, drought and extreme heat. With the federal attempts to roll back the urgent work we need to do to slow down the outsized impacts of global warming on New Mexico, our state is going to have to do more than ever,” says Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director.

“Indigenous communities have long faced environmental harm while being excluded from investments that build sustainable economies,” says Mayane Barudin, Executive Director of Sovereign Energy. “Senate Bills 48 and 49, with a $340 million investment, are a crucial step in reversing that history by ensuring Tribes have access to funding for renewable energy, workforce training, and infrastructure modernization. These funds will empower Tribes to pursue their clean energy goals, protect natural resources, and create economic opportunities that align with our values of stewardship and sustainability, helping to shape a more just and resilient future for all.”

“These bills exemplify Pro Tem Stewart’s bold leadership on climate and clean energy policy,” says Alex Eubanks, New Mexico Representative for SWEEP. “By prioritizing clean energy, innovation, and community benefits, these measures will help reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and strengthen New Mexico’s economy. We encourage the Legislature to pass them and solidify New Mexico’s role as a climate leader. The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act reflect values important to New Mexicans—preserving our environment, protecting communities, and creating economic opportunities statewide. These forward-looking policies will ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”

“We applaud Senate Pro Tem Stewart and her team for crafting such a thoughtful approach to climate and just transition action in New Mexico,” says Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director at the Western Environmental Law Center. “These bills position New Mexico to open new doors to a thriving, resilient future where our state is a leader in the fight against the climate crisis, better protects its rich natural heritage, and actively builds a strong, diversified economy powered by renewable energy.”

“As elected officials and their communities contend with the impacts of climate change, the Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund and Innovation in Government Act meet the moment by promising a more resilient climate future for all New Mexicans,” says Jessica Pace, Interim Executive Director at Western Leaders Network. “These bills would put New Mexico on track to reach state climate goals, hold polluters accountable, invest in the clean energy transition and protect our air, waters and lands. We commend Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her commitment to climate action by sponsoring these critical bills and urge the legislature to support them.”

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that states take the initiative and craft strong policies to address climate change,” says Cydney Beadles, senior attorney and New Mexico Clean Energy Manager at Western Resource Advocates (WRA). “With these bills, our state leaders are sending a powerful message that the right of all New Mexicans to clean air and healthy communities is a priority worth fighting for. This is the kind of action that will advance the clean energy transition in New Mexico.”

“Investing in communities most impacted by climate change is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a matter of health. Kids and families across New Mexico are already experiencing the harmful effects of extreme heat, wildfires, and poor air quality,” says Giovanna Rossi, Moms Clean Air Force New Mexico chapter. “The Community Benefit Fund will provide critical resources to build cleaner, healthier communities while creating family sustaining jobs and supporting economic resilience. We urge lawmakers to take bold action by passing this legislation to protect our children’s future.”

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