SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was awarded the Environmental Champion Award from the Environmental Defense Fund Action on Wednesday in Washington D.C.

She is the first state governor to receive the award, which is traditionally given to federal legislators. This year, EDF Action chose to recognize the meaningful steps Gov. Lujan Grisham has taken to combat the threat of climate change.

“New Mexico is marching to the front lines of climate-conscious governance as we transform the energy framework across the state,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Ignoring the very real dangers of climate change means endangering future generations. We recognize the substantial work ahead, and we also understand each step we take to move toward renewable energy will deliver long-lasting positive effects — while, crucially, not leaving our neighbors in coal-producing communities behind.”

“Gov. Lujan Grisham is leading New Mexico to new heights on climate and clean energy. This includes setting critical, economy-wide targets for reductions in climate pollution and directing the state to evaluate market-based solutions to achieve those cuts,” said Fred Krupp, EDF Action executive director. “And she is just getting started. Her regulatory agencies are developing nationally leading methane rules that will dramatically reduce climate pollution, improve air quality and limit energy waste in order to increase funding for New Mexico’s schools. We look forward to working with Gov. Lujan Grisham to build a healthier, more prosperous future for New Mexico through policies like putting in place strong, statewide rules to reduce methane pollution and waste from the fossil fuel industry.”

Earlier this year Gov. Lujan Grisham signed an executive order to join the Climate Alliance, a group of bipartisan states that are committed to the Paris consensus. Gov. Lujan Grisham has also signed several pieces of legislation into law including the Energy Transition Act.

New Mexico is the first state to have two Environmental Champion Award recipients. Sen. Tom Udall was previously presented with the award.