Report provides updates on progress of climate initiatives and new data

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Climate Change Task Force is proud to release its second annual report, detailing the state’s significant progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as steps toward adapting to the effects of climate change already being felt in New Mexico.

This year highlighted our state’s commitment to climate action like no other. Like most New Mexicans, most state employees have been working from home since March, but our work has never stopped. Despite the global pandemic, the interagency Task Force has made strides in areas that run the gamut, from efforts to reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector and much-needed updates to building codes to  getting hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy online and securing third party funding for several additional climate change staff. 

“In many ways, our commitment to fighting climate change is only stronger, as we have seen the stark effects of a changing climate laid bare with an extended fire season, extreme drought conditions and low water levels,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “We are dead set against allowing climate change to bring about the next public health crisis.”

Significant updates included in the report include:

• An estimated 1,346 megawatts of renewables – enough to power more than 300,000 homes – will come online between the passage of the Energy Transition Act and the end of 2020
• New building codes adopted which increase energy efficiency while saving new individual homeowners up to $400 per year in energy savings
• $5.8 million invested by this administration in clean energy and emissions monitoring companies, creating jobs and helping us reach our climate goals

In addition to highlighting accomplishments, the report also lays out our 2021 roadmap of planned actions, including:

• Adopting low-emission (LEV) and zero-emission (ZEV) rules
• Adopting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) reduction rules
• Adopting rules that significantly reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions from the oil and gas industry
• Completion of the General Services Department’s State Buildings Green Energy Project
• Completion of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Grid Modernization Roadmap
• Energy efficiency education modules to be rolled out in New Mexico public schools
• Additional opportunities for public engagement

“The dedication the Climate Change Task Force has shown this year is truly inspiring,” said Sarah Cottrell Propst, Cabinet Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “In a short amount of time, New Mexico has taken meaningful steps to address the climate crisis, diversify our economy, and expand renewable energy. This report chronicles the work accomplished so far, but also holds us accountable for the significant work left to do.”

“The public and private sectors are proudly leading climate mitigation efforts – building hope for the future,” said James Kenney, Cabinet Secretary of the Environment Department. “We are absolutely dedicated to continuing this critical work outlined in this report as quickly as possible.”

The report also highlights brand new emissions data from a Colorado State University study, which provides proof of how far our current initiatives will take us in meeting our emissions reduction goals – and the need for further action to meet them.

The Task Force was formed under the governor’s Jan. 29, 2019 executive order and is co-chaired by the cabinet secretaries of the departments of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources and Environment. The order directed state agencies to develop a statewide climate strategy and incorporate climate mitigation and adaptation practices into agency programs and operations. The task force continues to meet to consider and evaluate strategies for reducing greenhouse emissions and preparing for impacts to New Mexico.

The full report is available at https://www.climateaction.state.nm.us/