The New Mexico Legislature has taken the primary steps to generate funding for green-job training programs. As constituents, we need to show our support for these small programs and push for their development into larger programs so our state can transition to a sustainable economy.

The two bills the New Mexico Legislature recently passed that support green job training are SB 318, sponsored by Sen. Eric Griego, and HB 622, sponsored by Speaker of the House Ben Luján. SB 318 sets aside $1 million per year from the Job Training Incentive Fund for the development of green-job training programs. This amount is, admittedly, pretty small; however, this bill is a needed step toward preparing New Mexico workers for a green economy.

HB 622, the Green Jobs Bonding Act, requires the Higher Education Department to create a state plan for the development of green-job training programs available to low-income populations, rural constituencies, and tribal communities. Originally it was to draw on the funds set aside in the 2007 Federal Green Jobs Act; however, budgetary restrictions stalled the plan. Now, there is an opportunity that the bill will generate $20 million for green-job training programs throughout the state by drawing on the funds set aside for that purpose in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

It is essential that these bills have adequate support from constituents. It is especially important in light of the fact that the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), recently passed in the U.S. House, contains a meager amount of funding for green-job training programs. Therefore we need to continue our own provisions for green-job training programs in New Mexico. Here we can invest wisely in renewable energy and the jobs to supply it, ensuring a new, flourishing, and sustainable economy that, according to a Political Economy Research Institute report released this June, can create "pathways out of poverty" and stop rising unemployment.

This means support for programs such as the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, the new programs at the Santa Fe Community College's planned Sustainable Technology Center, and continued geothermal research and training at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. Most of all, we must press our representatives to continue their work in creating policy that supports existing and new training opportunities.

New Mexico is situated well to lead the charge; the state ranks second in the nation in solar potential, 12th in wind potential, and has vast geothermal and biomass resources.

The capacity to be a renewable energy leader is present. New Mexico must support green-job training programs so it may have a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Noah Gapsis lives in Santa Fe. He is a New Energy summer intern.