{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://stansbury.house.gov/media/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-175-million-provide-clean-and-reliable-electricity", "N.M. Delegation Welcomes $17.5 Million to Provide Clean and Reliable Electricity, Lower Utility Costs", "2023-05-26", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Melanie A. Stansbury", "S001218", "stansbury.house.gov", "stansbury", "https://stansbury.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (N.M.) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez (N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (N.M.) are welcoming $17.5 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) \u2014 funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law \u2014 to reduce impacts due to extreme weather and ensure the reliability of the power sector\u2019s infrastructure, so communities in New Mexico have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity anytime.\n\n\u201cThis is exactly what our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was intended to do \u2014 create more affordable, more reliable infrastructure while bringing costs down for families,\u201dsaid Heinrich. \u201cBy reducing the number of weather-related power outages and installing new solar systems in Tribal communities, this investment will go a long way in improving lives across our state and across Navajo Nation. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure all New Mexicans can reap the benefits of this landmark legislation in our transition to a clean energy future.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the climate crisis continues, it\u2019s critical that we take steps to modernize our electric infrastructure to withstand the impacts of natural disasters,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to welcome over $17 million in funding to provide necessary infrastructure upgrades to New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. This investment will help reduce the number of power outages, increase renewable resources, and boost the clean energy workforce in our state. I\u2019m glad this funding will also help deploy clean energy technologies in the Navajo Nation to lower utility costs for tribal members.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn New Mexico and across the Navajo Nation people often have unreliable electricity, and sometimes no electricity at all,\u201d said Rep. Leger Fern\u00e1ndez. \u201cThis investment will improve a longstanding disparity that impacts New Mexicans. People need affordable, reliable power connections to do almost everything in our modern world. With these funds, we begin to reinvest in our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering crucial climate resilience resources for our communities,\u201d said Stansbury. \u201cI am excited that the newest wave of funding is sending over $15 million to the Navajo Nation and New Mexico to modernize our electric grid and nearly $1.8 million for solar installation that will help power the Ojo Encino Chapter of the Navajo Nation and lower utility bills. This funding will help us drive our clean energy economy forward\u2014and be resilient in the face of rising temperatures.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe changing climate and environment requires us to invest in our electric infrastructure to ensure every community is prepared for any disaster. I am proud to see the federal government prioritizing funds for our tribal communities in New Mexico,\u201d said Vasquez.\n\nDOE funding includes:\n\n$14 million for the State of New Mexico.This investment will be used by the State to reduce the number and duration of outages caused by natural hazard disruptions by repairing and strengthening damaged or vulnerable systems.\n\n$1.8 million to Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah) to prevent weather-related power outages.This investment will be used by the Nation to reduce the number and duration of outages caused by natural hazard disruptions by hardening power lines, facilities, substations, and other systems. Selected projects will address other outdated and/or failing energy infrastructure items and materials like power lines and poles, transformers, and bucket trucks while reducing the energy burden experienced by low-income Tribal members and disadvantaged Tribal communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://stansbury.house.gov/media/press-releases/nm-delegation-welcomes-175-million-provide-clean-and-reliable-electricity"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8953420221805573, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}