Sen. Heinrich announces amendment to energy bill amid opposition
Sen. Martin Heinrich announced a substitute amendment to a bipartisan energy and jobs bill amid protests from Pueblo governors and environmentalists. Critics say the legislation could weaken environmental and historic-preservation protections for sacred lands, while Heinrich says it will expand clean energy, protect ratepayers and provide resources for communities affected by data center development.
Sen. Martin Heinrich announced a substitute amendment to the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act after protests by New Mexico environmentalists and Pueblo governors. The changes would give tribal governments a greater role in permitting and environmental reviews and create a Data Center Community Assistance Program to provide state, local and tribal governments with information about the energy, water, infrastructure and community effects of data center development.
The All Pueblo Council of Governors opposes provisions that would alter federal environmental review and limit the scope of the National Historic Preservation Act, which tribes use to protect sacred lands. Heinrich continued to support the bill, saying it would expand clean energy, lower prices, create about 20,000 New Mexico jobs and reduce emissions, while National Congress of American Indians President Mark Macarro argued that energy policy should not come at the expense of sacred sites.