In New Mexico, @NMEnvDep Secretary Kenney notes that, to achieve @GovMLG's climate goals, the state's made progress but "we need to do more." #nmpol

Statement made during hearing before state's legislative Water and Natural Resources Committee and is premised on @GovMLG's just-released 2020 Climate Strategy Report (which can be found here: https://www.climateaction.state.nm.us/documents/reports/NMClimateChangeReport_2020.pdf)

Super excited about the prospect of federal-state partnerships to advance robust climate action here in New Mexico and nationally. Not without its challenges, but opportunities are immense.

Great to see @GovMLG embrace a natural and working lands approach to boost landscape-scale ecological resilience and, via forest carbon sequestration, climate mitigation. Also need robust watershed protection component, but we're taking necessary steps.

Brenda Ekwurzel w/ @UCSUSA now presenting re: high degree of warming in New Mexico relative to other regions.

@EmnrdNM's Secretary Propst also noted they've rec'd grant from U.S. Climate Alliance to engage w/communities more deeply on climate action. This is critical: climate action premised on shared effort between government agencies and communities/public = power.

Brenda Ekwurzel w/ @UCSUSA notes that further warming risks exacerbating wildfire risk, changing forest species composition, farm/crop composition, and river/stream flow.

Noah Long w/ @NRDC notes, referencing emissions analysis in @GovMLG's 2020 Climate Strategy Report, oil & gas emissions in New Mexico are a "jaw dropping" 4x as much as prior estimates.

Rama Zakararia w/ @EnvDefenseFund now highlighting opportunities to close the climate emissions gap (between efficacy of current policies and total redux necessary to achieve @GovMLG's emissions goals).

Rama Zakaria notes New Mexico emissions gap in = 48-49 MMT CO2e. I.e., even w/all current climate actions accounted for, New Mexico will need additional policies to close the emissions gap to achieve @GovMLG's goals and safeguard the climate.

Zakaria notes recipe for closing that gap = improved O&G methane rules + addl. direct regulation + market-based GHG redux policies + focus on advancing social equity.

Legislatively, Zakaria notes importance of codifying @GovMLG's climate emission reduction goals + eliminating state's current "no more stringent than" limitation in NM Air Quality Act that hamstrings state-level climate action.

Representative @anrubio notes that dominance of oil & gas in New Mexico "overshadows" much of New Mexico's policy conversation, noting concerns with underrepresented communities.

@NMEnvDep Secy Kenney notes opportunity: (1) for U.S. Climate Alliance grant to boost community engagement; (2) value of empowering NM climate policymaking via elimination of "no more stringent than" handcuff; & (3) need for agency resources to take climate action.

@anrubio responds w/appreciation but also by emphasizing critical importance of a just transition away from dependence on O&G revenue towards restorative and regenerative economies.

@MelanieforNM emphasizing three-pronged approach to climate action in NM: (1) reduce carbon footprint; (2) boost carbon sequestration via forest/agriculture; & (3) prepare communities (economic transition + equity/respect for traditional communities).

And @MelanieforNM further emphasizes need for comprehensive, cohesive action that links these prongs together rather than "cacophony" of disparate, individual actions, especially in the NM legislature.

@MelanieforNM implores fellow legislators to take seriously responsibility to fund agencies adequately to protect New Mexicans. Budget situation isn't great, but is better than it was at start of the pandemic/economic collapse.