Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced an Executive Order to speed up New Mexico’s shift to a clean energy economy and address the urgent need for infrastructure development across the state.
The order addresses the needs of communities like Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Nation, which recently experienced significant fire and flooding damage. The governor discussed these issues with residents during town halls last week.
The Executive Order aims to use federal and state funds to prepare New Mexico’s workforce for modernizing transportation, telecommunications, water, and energy systems. It aligns with Lujan Grisham’s role as co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance and her leadership in its upcoming Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative.
“Communities that have been devastated by natural disasters are wisely demanding that we sustainably manage the forests, build bridges that withstand flooding, and harden our telecommunications infrastructure against the threat of fire,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “In short, they are demanding climate-ready infrastructure.”
Lujan Grisham noted that investments in public infrastructure and clean energy transition have increased demand for labor, requiring a coordinated approach to training workers from all backgrounds.
“New Mexico is ready to get to work on implementation of the U.S. Climate Alliance Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative, and this Executive Order provides the blueprint for doing so,” she said.
New Mexico is currently investing nearly $2.5 billion through the American Rescue Plan, $5.3 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and over $217 million from the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments, combined with $2.5 billion allocated by the state in 2024, aim to strengthen infrastructure and climate resilience.
Federal initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are expected to create nearly 3 million jobs nationwide, with about 70% accessible to workers without a college degree. The state's new Office of Housing is addressing a housing shortage of 40,000 units while working across sectors to meet public infrastructure needs related to new housing.
Increasing risks from heat, fire, floods, and severe weather necessitate investments in resilient infrastructure designed to withstand climate impacts for decades. For instance, Ruidoso's wastewater treatment plant is investing in solar power for more reliable services during disasters.
Large-scale projects such as roads, bridges, dams, water systems, broadband, and affordable housing will benefit from collaborative efforts outlined in the Executive Order to mitigate rising construction costs and workforce shortages in high-demand sectors.
“Achieving the ambitious goals that Gov. Lujan Grisham has set out in this Executive Order will require participating agencies to establish innovative new partnerships with industry,” said Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “Recent natural disasters demonstrate the need for an energy sector that can help prevent and mitigate climate change impacts.”
The order sets a strategic approach for enhancing infrastructure and clean energy workforce training:
1. **Collaborative Effort Across State Agencies:** Key agencies will coordinate efforts to plan and track workforce training.
2. **Equity and Inclusion:** Policies will prioritize equity for workers from rural or underserved communities.
3. **Workforce Goals:** New Mexico aims to train 2,000 workers in climate-ready professions by 2026.
4. **Support Strategies:** Innovative strategies like childcare services will help workers enter clean energy careers successfully.
Ongoing initiatives include:
- Industry Credential Pipeline Program
- Workforce Training & Apprenticeship Fund
- Higher Education Programs
- State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant
- Residential/Commercial Electrification & Energy Efficiency Programs
- Technical Assistance Grant
The order connects with other administration initiatives focusing on climate readiness within all aspects of infrastructure development.
State agencies are directed to appoint liaisons working with the Department of Workforce Solutions for progress tracking aligned with broader goals.
An annual Infrastructure and Climate-Ready Workforce Report will be published starting in 2025.
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