Statewide Coalition Stands in Strong Support of Direct Investments to Strengthen Communities & Economies in Senate Bill 48 & Senate Bill 83

Pro Tem Mimi Stewart’s SB48 & SB83 invest directly in local projects and state agencies to create jobs, support families, and strengthen the communities most impacted by climate change

[Santa Fe, NM] – Today, Clear Horizons New Mexico, a statewide coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 35 organizations and businesses across New Mexico, expressed strong support for the Community Benefit Fund (Senate Bill 48) and the Innovation in State Government Fund (Senate Bill 83) in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and applaud the committee for passing the bills 9-6. The Community Benefit Fund would invest $255 million in local economies across the state and the Innovation in State Government Fund would provide state agencies $10 million to support communities in new initiatives.

While the cost of inaction on climate change is skyrocketing – the state has already allocated nearly $150 million in 2024 alone for disaster relief from climate-driven wildfires, droughts, and floods – the Community Benefit Fund and the Innovation in State Government Fund are proactive investments that will build resilience to the same threats while creating jobs and new opportunities in villages, towns, and cities across New Mexico.

“I’ve seen the devastation that the heavy reliance on fossil fuels brings to communities from the health perspective from fires and floods caused by climate change to higher rates of chronic illness and cancers caused by air and water contamination to the occupational illnesses that others have spoken about miners and oil and gas workers. This legislation will have immediate positive health effects for all New Mexicans,” says Dr. Wendy Johnson in public comment Tuesday, who is a family physician with 30 years experience working all over Mexico.

The Community Benefit Fund (Senate Bill 48), originally proposed at $340 million, would invest $210 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.

The Innovation in State Government Fund (Senate Bill 83), sponsored by Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, strengthens state capacity by equipping agencies with the resources and expertise needed to lead in sustainable energy innovation. This is a key element for growing new job opportunities for New Mexicans in a more stable, diversified economy. Senate Bill 83 invests in workforce by funding comprehensive training programs for highly skilled roles in emerging industries; promotes a variety of economic activities to lessen reliance on industries that extract natural resources, helping to stabilize the state’s economy; strengthens the capacity of state agencies to reduce pollution and boost clean energy initiatives, and ensures accountability with annual reports on progress.

“I work directly with our climate bureaus as the Senior Climate Advisor for the Governor,” says Travis Kellerman during public comment Tuesday. “They’re full of talented people. They do significant creative work, and now is the time to innovate as is in the title of this bill. We need to attract more investment to New Mexico as federal support waivers. That’s what this does. It gives the foundation and the resource to do so. I urge your support.”

The 2025 Conservation in the West poll found that 77% of New Mexicans support the government taking action to reduce carbon and methane pollution that contribute to climate change. This is unsurprising given the various ways climate change impacts New Mexicans and the state as a whole, including more severe wildfires and floods, extended droughts that limit water supplies, and more extreme weather events and heat.

“We are here today in strong support of Senate Bill 48, a critical investment in both our climate future and New Mexico’s economic resilience,” says Victoria Alarcon Macias with Semilla Action during public comment Tuesday. “This bill is more than just a climate initiative—it is a blueprint for future-proofing our state’s economy by creating meaningful job opportunities for our youth. By prioritizing these investments, we can build a stronger, more sustainable economy while empowering the next generation with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the clean energy transition.”

Background
The Community Benefit Fund and the Innovation in State Government Fund are two of a suite of four bills to address climate change that Senate President Pro Tempore of the Senate Senator Mimi Stewart introduced in the 2025 legislative session. The suite includes Senate Bill 4, the Clear Horizons 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.

The Community Benefit Fund, made up of Senate Bills 48 & 49, both passed the Senate Conservation Committee on 5-3. Senate Bill 48 passed the Senate Finance Committee on 7-4 do-pass vote, while its companion bill Senate Bill 49 that houses the funding remains in the committee, waiting to be absorbed into the state budget bill, House Bill 2. Senate Bill 48 passed the Senate 25-13 and the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources 6-4.
The Innovation in Government Fund (Senate Bill 83) passed the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee 5-4, the Senate Finance Committee 6-3, and the Senate 26-14. Senate Bill 83 passed the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee 5-2.
The Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 4) passed the Senate Conservation Committee 5-4 and the Senate Finance Committee tabled the bill with a 6-5 vote.

The Community Benefit Fund will be dispersed to local communities via:

$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
$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 Clear Horizons New Mexico Coalition is a partnership of New Mexicans across the state from 35 climate, equity, social justice, and conservation organizations and businesses that are raising their voice in unison for climate action in the Land of Enchantment. At Clear Horizons, we celebrate our promise and commitment to keeping New Mexico beautiful and prosperous for everyone, now and in the future. Organizations and businesses include: 350 New Mexico, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Creciendo Nuevo Mexico, Devil’s Spring Ranch, 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, New Mexico Sustainable Business, New Mexico Voices for Children, NMVC Action Fund, Positive Energy Solar, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, Renewable Energy Industries Association of NM, 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 and job growth below:

“The Community Benefit Fund (SB 48) will provide vital investments in our communities to build diverse and healthy economies. It will also contribute to building the workforce we need for high demand jobs now and in the future. This paired with the investments made by the Innovation in State Government (SB 83) to empower our agencies to lead the way in sustainable energy solutions puts New Mexico on a path to create a brighter future for families across the state. We thank members of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee for voting to pass SB 48 and SB 83 out of committee today,” says Michael Leon Guerrero, sustainable economy policy advisor for the Center for Civic Policy

“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,” says Jordan Haedtler, New Mexico Policy Lead and Climate Financial Strategist at Climate Cabinet.

“Senate Bills 48 and 49, which create the Community Benefit Fund, will help to mitigate some of the burgeoning economic effects of climate change,” says Charles de Saillan, an attorney who represents the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy. “Among other things, the bills will serve to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, improve energy efficiency, and provide training and opportunities for jobs in renewable energy industries. The bills will focus on those communities hardest hit by the tragic consequences of a rapidly changing climate – often those least able to afford it. We want to thank Senator Stewart for taking on this difficult issue.”

“We are working with our coalition of local cities and counties to create and implement programs that strengthen economic opportunities for local families through energy efficiency and clean energy”, says Christian Casillas, Executive Director of the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico. “SB83 appropriates $10 million to create comprehensive workforce training programs for our constituents and strengthen state agency capacity, ensuring we have informed, strong partners at the state level.”

“The Community Benefit Fund comes at a critical moment, when federal policies and funding supporting community-based resilience in the face of extreme weather events are being shredded and states must step up”, says Demis Foster, CEO of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “The Community Benefit Fund, combined with the Innovation in State Government Fund, are a comprehensive local response to the fires, floods, heat waves and drought everyday New Mexicans are already facing and will support the planning we need for the clean energy transition and workforce development.”

“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.”

“New Mexicans deserve clean water, clean air, a sustainable economy, and to be protected from the harms of climate change. The Community Benefit Fund and The Innovation in State Government Fund give the resources state agencies and local communities need to deliver on that promise,” says Michael Bueno, Senior Manager, State Climate Policy and Strategy at EDF Action. “With federal disinvestment in climate and environmental programs, state and local governments need funds like these more than ever to better serve the public. We thank Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her leadership and urge the legislature to speed passage of these important bills.”

“We are in an unprecedented time, and nuestros comunidades face uncertainty and a lack of protections from our federal government. Our communities deserve to have a backstop against the ever-increasing and disproportionate effects of climate change. Investing in our state’s agencies is essential to ensuring that we can lead the region in our growing clean energy economy. New Mexico has an opportunity to be an example for sustainability in the United States and the rest of the world,” says Carlos Matutes, New Mexico Community Advocate for GreenLatinos.

“The health of all New Mexicans, especially our most vulnerable populations, is dependent on implementing strong climate solutions and policies that support sustainable, resilient communities. At this time when the federal government is pulling back from climate solutions, investments from the Community Benefit Fund and the Innovations in State Government Fund will provide much needed support for New Mexico communities to reduce climate pollution and strengthen resilience. We are grateful to leaders who are taking action to protect public health from the dangerous threat of our changing climate,” says Shelley Mann-Lev, Executive Director of Healthy Climate New Mexico.

“We know that climate change is falling hardest on our most vulnerable populations — and the Community Benefit Fund gives our communities a chance to adapt and even advance by giving resources to improve our infrastructure and give our youths the opportunity for better, high quality jobs in southern New Mexico,” says Sylvia Ulloa, executive director of NM Communidades en Accion y de Fe (NM CAFe).

“Our leaders have a sacred responsibility to protect this place and the promise it holds for all generations to come, ” says Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light. “Together the Community Benefit Fund and Innovation in Sate Government Fund are critical steps in addressing climate change and creating a resilient, just, thriving and sustainable future – a future we have, in equal measures, the right and the responsibility to protect.”

“New Mexico families deserve action that will protect our communities and give us the opportunity to build a sustainable and prosperous future with a robust economy,” says Gabrielle Uballez, Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “That’s what the Innovation in Government Fund, the Community Benefit Fund, and the Clear Horizons Act offer our state and we urge the legislature to pass all of them.”

“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.”

“In passing these bills, our state legislature has centered the New Mexican people and laid the groundwork for healthy, thriving communities,” says Alexis Mena, New Mexico Policy Director at NRDC. “This fund drastically increases opportunities for those shouldering the greatest burdens of climate change and invests in community resilience, ensuring a strong economy and infrastructure across our state 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 weather events that we have seen in decades,” says Ona Porter, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader at Prosperity Works. “The Community Benefit Fund, one aspect of SB48, will add $20M to the Community Energy Efficiency Block Grant (CEED) that provides deep energy efficiency retrofits in the homes of our most vulnerable residents’ homes. It lowers energy use,costs and emissions at once!”

“The Semilla Project is thrilled to support Senate Bill 48, 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,” says Jared Berenice Estrada, Advocacy and Programs Director for The Semilla Project. “By channeling funds into sectors like renewable energy and green technologies, SB48 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 of 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.”

“The Community Benefits Fund includes a wide range of investments to support the communities most impacted by climate change,” says AnnaLinden Weller, Senior Clean Energy Policy Advisor at Western Resource Advocates. “This bill sends a clear message that everyone in New Mexico should have access to clean and healthy air, the benefits from the renewable energy transition, and sustained protection against the worst effects of climate change.”

“As we commit our state to build a clean energy future where we thrive together, it is essential for agencies to attract the best and brightest professionals to deploy the work ahead. SB83 will do precisely that”, says Ona Porter, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader for Prosperity Works.

“With sudden, unexpected and devastating climate disasters, the state government needs funds to be responsive, agile and creative with their response. These investments will provide the resources needed to build a workforce that can not only implement state climate policies, but also drive innovative projects that make New Mexico a leader in climate solutions,” says Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter.

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Clear Horizons New Mexico is a coalition committed to fostering sustainable growth and environmental resilience throughout the State of New Mexico. Through the advocacy and implementation of groundbreaking legislation like the Clear Horizons Act (SB4), the Community Benefit Fund (SB48 & 49), and Innovation in State Government Fun (SB83) we aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy development and innovation, and enhance community welfare. Our mission is to transform New Mexico into a leader in energy & sustainability by harnessing the state’s unique environmental assets and cultural heritage, ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for all residents. Clear Horizons New Mexico collaborates with local communities, policymakers, and environmental experts to drive meaningful change and innovation.