SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Sunday issued the following statement after the New Mexico House approved House Bill 28, the Resources Sustainability and Security Act, which will create a state sustainability and resilience council and implement green initiatives across state government. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Melanie Stansbury, directs every state agency to develop and implement a climate resiliency and sustainability plan, examining how an agency’s mission, infrastructure and budget will be impacted by climate change and creating a plan to address it. It also directs state agencies to increase water and energy efficiency, reduce waste and greenhouse gases, improve building performance and employ sustainable and local procurement policies.

“I thank House members for sharing New Mexicans’ concerns about the urgent crisis of climate change and acting upon them,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This is not a conversation to have in the abstract. Drought and wildfire risks are real. Climate change is real. New Mexico will lead in addressing it and thereby carry out the work necessary to preserve our state for future generations.”