Lobby Training – Climate & Covid Action on Energy Conservation, Cars, Buildings, Rooftops and Utility Bills

Sustainable Building Tax Credit – Update to existing tax credit for new buildings with a focus on building electrification and net zero energy use. Adds a new tax credit for retrofit of existing buildings and homes, with double tax credit for low-income New Mexicans.

Energy Affordability and Energy Burden Relief Act – Establishes a partial COVID-arrears forgiveness program for electricity and natural gas service. Creates a Community Energy Efficiency Development Block Grant Act that could use any future federal stimulus funds to support local governments and community organizations to improve efficiency in high energy burden communities. Requires utilities to provide a report on what it would take to achieve 100% cost-effective energy efficiency in low income homes. Mandates reporting on utility arrears and disconnections, and authorizes low-income discount rates.

We’ll also cover bills related to building codes, the state automobile fleet as well as solar and EV ready buildings.

We’ll conclude with a short lobby training and a chance to practice talking about these bills.

Panelists

• Moderator – Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club
• Tammy Fiebelkorn, SWEEP –
• Sanders Moore, Policy Solutions Institute
• Gabe Pacyniak, UNM School of Law
• Senator Bill Soules

Tammy Fiebelkorn has been active in the energy industry since 1994. She is the New Mexico Representative for SWEEP and is the President of eSolved, Inc., an environmental and business consulting firm. Tammy has degrees in Economics and Finance from Northeast Louisiana University as well as a Master’s Degree in Environmental Economics from Colorado State University.

Gabe Pacyniak is an associate professor at the UNM School of Law, where he is also the primary faculty supervisor of the Natural Resources and Environmental Law clinic. Gabe previously served as the climate change mitigation program manager at the Georgetown Climate Center and frequently works on climate and energy issues with a focus on equity.

Sanders Moore is the Executive Director of Policy Solutions Institute, a local advocacy organization focusing on equity and energy issues. Sanders has worked on energy policy in New Mexico for more than 10 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Law & Policy from the Vermont Law School and a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Wesleyan University.

Soules earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology from New Mexico State University and his interdisciplinary Ph.D in education and psychology from New Mexico State University. His professional experience includes working as an elementary school principal for Las Cruces Public Schools, as an academic advisor, as a professor at New Mexico State University, and as assistant provost of student services at New Mexico State University-Carlsbad.

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