VOTER'S GUIDE

Andrea Romero

AndreaRomero.com

• If elected, what specific policies will you pursue in 2023 to begin rapidly transitioning our economy to achieve carbon neutrality in the timeframe set by the world’s leading scientists?

I will continue to try to speed up our energy transition and fight for renewables as the platform with which we achieve these goals.

• Do you agree with climate scientists that the brunt of the impacts we face due to climate change will be put on those who contributed the least emissions? (The global South, Indigenous, and low-income communities)

Yes 

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• Do you agree with climate scientists that greenhouse gas emissions must be reversed within 8 years in order to achieve carbon neutrality in time to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees and to avoid catastrophic runaway climate disruption?

Yes

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• In your opinion, why do political leaders set benchmarks and timeframes for emissions reductions that do not comport with climate science mandates?

Balancing interests can be hard, especially where there are resource constraints or pushback from the naysayers. It all comes down to compromise, especially with so many climate deniers or those disinterested in responding to climate change in our state.

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• If elected, what will you do differently than current leadership?

I will continue to push for the most progressive policies to reach our climate goals and reverse the damaging policies that will keep us from meeting those goals.

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• What measures will you propose and advance to ensure that economic recovery and the transition to a green economy fosters equity and economic & racial justice?

We have to cast a net in all directions. I have the privilege of representing four sovereign pueblos and will continue to bring them to the table, along with all those who are traditionally underserved by our current system. This starts with targeting laws to help the most vulnerable among us.

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• If elected, will you support the creation of a Just Transition Study & Fund to identify alternative revenue sources for our state budget and allocate funds from oil and gas directly into community-driven climate mitigation and adaptation strategies? Explain.

Yes, the more good data and science we have to help us develop the roadmap to a better future is one of the best platforms we have for good public policy.

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• If elected, how will you include Indigenous and traditional land-based knowledge in the development of a sustainable economy for all of NM?

I will continue to bring our indigenous Pueblos and Tribes to the table.

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• Who will you talk to about climate issues? Who advises you? What is your plan for community consultation on climate issues?

I am here to listen to anyone who has a proposal for that which can help us develop the best possible climate policies. I listen to the scientists, the activists, and the doers among us who can make the changes possible.

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• Define environmental racism in your own words and provide an example in NM

Environmental racism refers to any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intended or unintended) individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color, thereby preventing equal access to work, recreation, education, religion, and safe neighborhoods. One example is the allowance of methane flaring in the northwest corners of the state that disproportionately disadvantage indigenous peoples.

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• What is the responsibility of your generation to the youth and future generations while in office? Explain.

My responsibility is to our future generations in not only leaving NM better than I found it, but setting a foundation for our youth and future generations to thrive.

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• A) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas development in the state of New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

Yes, because I am incredibly concerned for our unaccounted for water resources, current environmental damage that has not been addressed, and the unassessed future damage that fossil fuel extraction causes.

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• B) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas plant investment for utilities in New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

Yes, because I am incredibly concerned for our unaccounted for water resources, current environmental damage that has not been addressed, and the unassessed future damage that fossil fuel extraction causes.

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• Do you support nuclear energy? Why or Why Not?

No, because we already have renewable energy resources that are proven that do not create an unsustainable waste problem.

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• Do you support the development of Hydrogen Production Hubs here in New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

No, not on NM's dime and not while we have clean, renewable energy that we can build out.

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• Do you support community ownership of energy where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations are able to own, produce, and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local?

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Yes, and we should have the data to demonstrate this.

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• What do you believe is the fossil fuel industry/utility’s responsibility for cleanup and how as an elected official in the public office for which you are running do you plan to hold industry accountable for pollution and cleanup?

We should have a prerequisite plan for any drilling that occurs as to how cleanup will take place, and have a trust of funds in place to pay for it.

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• Do you support utility bill forgiveness for low-income New Mexicans who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis?

Yes

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• Some are saying that COVID-19 is the dress rehearsal for the climate crisis. In fact, in many places throughout the world, the two are compounding crises. What do you think we can learn from the COVID-19 crisis when addressing the climate crisis?

That we need to get everyone involved from the top-down, and that leadership critically matters to guide us in a time of crisis to keep us safe.

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• Describe your previous experience working on social/health/environmental issues, do you have experience working with impacted communities to co-develop solutions? How will you use this experience to tackle the climate crisis?

I have served in this seat since 2019 and before that I worked to help organize and provide the community to have a platform of political and social engagement for change in how it saw community development. I will continue this effort. The work is not done.

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• What are your ideas to loosen the grip of industry on the state legislature and strengthen our democracy?

Propose better policies that can overcome any scrutiny or push for discounting great climate-savvy legislation.

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• Name specific alternative sources for state revenue that you'd pursue and propose if elected

We must diversify in our economy and fix our tax code to ensure we remove regressive taxes on the poorest among us. I will continue to pursue the best cultural, environmental, and social business development opportunities, such as how we pursued cannabis legalization with strong water policies, to lead the way on economic diversification.

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• Have you accepted any donations from fossil fuel companies or utilities? Yes/No

No

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• Will you take the #fossilfree pledge? http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/politician-signup/

Yes