A push for eco-left energy sources and misguided infrastructure investments by state and federal governments have driven up construction costs and placed unnecessary strain on the workforce, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham claimed in an executive order on Monday.
These rising costs, compounded by a push for “climate-ready” construction, forced through by the signing of her Green New Deal (2019’s Energy Transition Act), are being used as justification for reshaping the workforce to cater to this eco-left agenda, which prioritizes building up the so-called renewable energy sector and infrastructure aimed at supposedly mitigating the effects of “climate change,” according to the governor.
In the order, Lujan Grisham directed nearly a dozen state agencies to collaborate on a plan for workforce development and training, including education programs targeting K-12 students to groom them for careers in eco-left-driven industries.
By 2026, Lujan Grisham pledged the state would have 2,000 additional workers trained in these “climate-ready” professions despite no clear definition of what these jobs entail.
Sarita Nair, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Workforce Solutions, echoed the governor’s rhetoric in an email, stating that the state’s infrastructure must be updated to endure so-called “extreme” weather conditions, including heat, drought, and flooding.
At the end of 2022, the state claimed to have 12,686 jobs in the “clean energy” sector. Companies like Maxeon and the communist Chinese Ebon Solar have made high-profile announcements to expand operations in New Mexico, but questions remain about the long-term viability of these ventures and their impact on local communities.
Interestingly, Nair admitted in the same email that there’s no official definition from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for these “climate-ready jobs.” Speculation suggests they could range from wildland firefighters to electric vehicle charging station installers, leaving significant ambiguity about the true scope of this eco-left workforce.
Ladona Clayton, executive director of the Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy, emphasized the need to focus on water supply and infrastructure, calling it the state’s most pressing issue. “The job is so big now, with the water crisis, we have to get the right people employed,” Clayton said, pushing for aggressive recruitment efforts.
Clayton argued that water should be the top priority for New Mexico’s workforce, declaring, “That’s the workforce that has to sustain the state.”
The governor’s latest executive order comes on the heels of a broader statewide workforce plan that identified construction, the energy transition, and so-called “climate resilience” as key areas of focus for the future.
According to Nair, Workforce Solutions is working with local development boards, tribal communities, and prison reentry programs to broaden access to these eco-left-driven job programs. Some federal grants have emphasized equitable access to these jobs, particularly for workers displaced by the transition from fossil fuels, though this transition has already cost many their livelihoods.
The closure of the San Juan Generating Station in 2022, which was demolished earlier this year, resulted in the loss of 450 jobs in Farmington, many of them belonging to members of the Navajo Nation. These traditional energy workers now face an uncertain future as the state continues its pivot toward renewables.
A 2020 study on workforce development acknowledged the potential for new opportunities in the post-pandemic “clean energy” sector but warned of major drawbacks. “It is far from given that these jobs will replace those lost from the transition away from fossil fuels,” the report noted, cautioning that the eco-left industry lacks diversity and may not equitably fill these new roles with local workers unless serious policy changes are made.
Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, pointed out the irony of this shift, noting that much of the funding for infrastructure projects comes from oil and gas revenues. “I am glad the Governor is putting her agencies to work,” Woods said, but he expressed doubt about whether these programs would actually benefit New Mexican workers in the long run.
Maybe someone can define “ eco left workers “? There were plenty of local workers clearing brush and maintaining national forest’s health through logging, and cattle grazing etc ,in other words the multi use plans that were in place after the forest service and bureau of reclamation theft from private ownership. Now the radical environmentalists and their communist fellow travelers set policy that prohibits rural people from true environmental employment . The goal of these despicable tyrant’s like MLG is of course total unemployment, state dependency and a transfer of people into cities where they are easier to control. This was a tactic used by the Bolshevik’s in Russia, same players, same playbook. NM must awaken to this evil that is being foisted on American society and view things as they really are. Educate yourself and advocate accordingly.
As long as MLG and Dems like her keep spitting out the window and smacking the rest of us in the face, NM will remain last in everything necessary for prosperous life, and first in everything death.
Do Better New Mexico
Rev. Rico
If only folks knew the worlds/our HISTORY… or was even INTERESTED in history, they’d know it’s about to repeat itself. I’ve always proposed true history starts in the first grade, and continues all the way through to high school. PLUS like philosophy, a requirement in college too. However, we know knowledge is power, ignorance begs to be controlled. Keeping children ignorant seems to be the ‘education’ theme in New Mexico these days. 51st in education (included DC) – can’t make this number up…
51 in education and #1 in crime. Thanks mlg.
She couldn’t care less about the state as long as the “Green Wineies” keep donating to her and the New Mexico socialist party aka democrats
The sooner she is arrested and dragged out of the roundhouse the better off New Mexico will be!!
I so agree with you on that one!
I would like to see it. However, it will never happen. Local Sheriffs have to step up and start arresting Dems all over just like they are doing to Donald Trump.
This is part of their smoke and mirrors religion, all a waste of time and money. Anyone who thinks they can control weather and “climate resilience” is playing you. MLG is the OZ of abortion and Green$$$energy.
I could not have said it better myself.
MLG is a dark soul.
as stupid as the day is long…….
The one thing you must know about MLG is she will ALWAYS be running for office. She was hired, trained, and eventually fired by Bill Richardson but she’s still a disciple of his. Once her stint as governor is over, she will move on to the next higher position she can find. Nothing matters to her except climbing the political ladder. She’s green only because she sees it as a popular trend. If she thought an AR-15 would get her elected, she would embrace gun ownership. It just politics and standards and character don’t matter.
You just described all Democrats. Not just N.M.S midget Nazi. They have no scruples. Its about political power and wielding it. When voters are naive, and give it to them we all suffer. In the last 16 years Dems have been POTUS for 12 of them. Economy in shambles, other countries laugh and ignore us and Illegal immigration is huge. Coincidence? Nope. The old adage, a nation can votes its way into Socialism, but you have to shoot your way out of it is accurate. If Harris wins, we are in deep trouble.
One person said it so correctly “she has a dark soul” MLG could care less about this state or any state in America. She is in it for the $$ has sold her soul to satan and his demons. Anyone who can celebrate the murder of babies in the womb up to birth is a span of satan for sure. she will be singing a different tune come JUDGEMENT day and it will get her no where but straight to hell unless she ask God to forgive her and she repents and changes her ways, otherwise she will be tossed into the lake of fire.
She needs to be impeached and prosecuted for violating the US constitution. Praying enough people get voted in to office in November that can outvote her comrades and get rid of her in the round house. And if nothing else, enough people to not give her any power she thinks she has to rule NM like it is her kingdom.