VOTER'S GUIDE
QUESTIONS POSED TO THE CANDIDATES
1) Do you agree with climate scientists that we are facing a climate emergency? Yes/No
2) Do you agree with climate scientists that greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half within 12 years and to net zero no later than 2050 to stay below 2 degrees warming? Yes/No
3) In your opinion, why do political leaders set benchmarks and timeframes for emissions reductions that do not comport with climate science mandates? If elected, what will you do different than current leadership?
4) If elected, what specific policies will you initiate and support to transition our economy to a net zero carbon economy in the timeframe set by the world’s leading scientists?
5) What measures will you take to ensure that economic development and transition fosters equity and economic & racial justice?
6) If elected, will you support the creation of a Just Transition Study & Fund to identify alternative revenue sources for our state budget and invest in community-driven climate mitigation and adaptation strategies?
7) If elected, how will you include Indigenous and traditional land-based knowledge in the development of a sustainable economy for all of NM?
8) Who will you talk to about climate issues? Who advises you? What is your plan for community consultation on climate issues?
9) Define environmental racism in your own words and provide an example in NM
10) Do you believe climate action is an issue of intergenerational justice? What is the responsibility of your generation to the youth and future generations while in office? Explain.
11) You may have already read the recent report called Drilling to Disaster by Oil Change International. According to the report from now to 2030, over 70% of New Mexico’s oil and gas production will come from wells that have not yet been drilled.
A) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas development in the state of New Mexico? Why or Why Not? B) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas plant investment for utilities in New Mexico? Why or Why Not?
12) Do you support nuclear energy? Why or Why Not?
13) Do you support a competitive energy market where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations are able to own, produce, and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local?
14) Community Solar legislation has been brought up multiple times in the last few years. What is your position on community solar and what will you do to ensure that community solar is prioritized and passes?
15) 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?
16) Do you believe bonding rates for industry should cover the full cost of cleanup? Yes or No. For more on this issue see recent article by State Land Commissioner HERE.
17) We have seen the oil industry collapse over the last month, with oil prices nosediving. Given our current situation and the danger our state’s budget is in, how do you see the role of oil and gas corporations in New Mexico’s future?
18) Do you support energy bill forgiveness for low-income New Mexicans who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis?
19) Some folks 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?
20) 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?
21) Have you accepted any donations from fossil fuel companies or utilities? Yes/No
22) Will you take the #fossilfree pledge? Yes/No
Congress
Do you pledge to co-sponsor the Green New Deal Yes/No
If Yes, what are your ideas to get it passed?
Legislature
What are your ideas to loosen the grip of industry on the state legislature and strengthen our democracy?
Name specific alternative sources for state revenue that you'd pursue and propose if elected?
County
What are your ideas to reduce the County's dependence on state revenues derived from oil and gas development and to increase LOCAL revenue generation from sustainable sources?
PRC
Do you believe New Mexico does enough to protect ratepayers and the environment when it comes to regulating its utilities? Explain
If elected, what would you change if anything about the regulatory regime in New Mexico?