VOTER'S GUIDE

• 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?
  Continue supporting legislation supporting renewable energy, minimizing harmful gas emissions.

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• 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?

It is easier to set benchmarks when you do not know the reality of science.

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

As the power plants are going down, the building of renewables should be on their up as to minimize unemployment.

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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?

There needs to be more evidence of power plant replacement with the building of solar farms or wind turbines, not wait until all power plants are shut down.

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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 I will support Just Transition. As stated above, we should be erecting alternative replacement power sources rather than waiting til last minute when the power plants are shut down.

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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?

Discussions should always include the owners of the land on which there will be development of sustainable economy. Preventing the destruction of our Mother Earth should always be at the forefront.

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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?

Alot of this is based on common sense and life experiences. Some of us remember the past when the pollution was practically non-existent. I am in agreement with some of the stances of Sierra Club and other environmental organizations.

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

While we have Federal rules and regulations, it seems they do not apply when referring to indigenous nations. A perfect example is the abandoned Uranium mine clean-up efforts. It has been talked about for many years with no action being taken to start the activity.

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

We need to take all efforts to minimize and control the current pollutions so that we can all breathe better tomorrow. We also need to continue researching and refining alternatives to fossil fuel for electric power generation.

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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?

Oil and Gas are currently the biggest contributors to our state revenue. We should work together with them while aggressively pursuing conversion to renewables to replace them.

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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?

Without a current replacement for revenue from oil and gas, I would say I do not support a moratorium at this time. The O and G revenue runs our schools, services, etc., etc..

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

I believe this is dangerous for our environment.

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

In order to derive hydrogen from methane for example, it is said it would cause more pollution than with fossil fuel. If they try to derive it from water, we are already in a depleted state with our water. So I would not currently support Hydrogen Hubs.

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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?

Definitely yes. We have young Navajo and other indigenous youth that are working on this. Lets give them a chance, i.e. Navajo Power.

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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?

I have been in coal mining for over 37 years. I know that the local operators went into agreement with local government that they would restore all of the mined lands to their original condition or better. This was done at La Plata Mine and I was a part of that team. We need to hold them to their word.

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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?

Any problem we face we should face together to the very end. We should never take the position of victory prematurely. We should not make such events political, we should trust one another to address and conquer the problem.

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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 supported legislation for some environmental improvements, renewables, etc.. I originally had an alternative legislation to the Energy Transition Act. I know what my district wants and will work on legislations that support their initiatives.

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

Industry is what finances our state to operate the services they do. We need to work together for desired results for both.

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

Indigenous owned renewable power generation.

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

Yes

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

No