Albuquerque Becomes First City in Nation to Advance Justice40
ALBUQUERQUE – Joined by climate justice, economic justice and social justice advocates, Mayor Tim Keller signed an Executive Order for Equitable and Just Implementation of Justice40. Albuquerque is the first city to take action to advance the Justice40 Initiative, a Biden-Harris Administration initiative to deliver 40 percent of overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities.
“Far too many communities in Albuquerque have been historically underserved and overburdened by pollution, disinvestment, and economic inequity,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are committed to investing in innovative, community-driven solutions and building a healthy and sustainable future.”
“President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative is reshaping hundreds of federal programs to ensure the benefits of investments in clean energy, clean water, affordable housing, and more reach communities that have been left behind for too long,” said Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Albuquerque is stepping up as a partner in our shared efforts to advance equity and environmental justice at every level of government.”
The City’s Executive Order also calls for the establishment of the Albuquerque Justice40 Oversight Coordinating Committee to prepare and implement a five-year CABQ Justice40 Equitable and Just Administration Plan. This is a groundbreaking effort in which the community and City will come together to prioritize investment in historically under-resourced communities.
“Our frontline communities that have faced inequities and barriers for decades should finally get access to the resources they need to implement solutions to climate, environmental and social injustices, with the City as their partner,” said Michelle Melendez, Office of Equity & Inclusion Director.
“This will make Albuquerque the first city to call on deep community-government collaboration to secure federal funding for bottom-up solutions that transform legacy systems that are inequitable,” said Richard Moore, co-founder and executive director of Los Jardines Institute and a long-time Albuquerque community leader who was appointed by the Biden administration to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
The City of Albuquerque is seeking nominations to serve on Justice40 Oversight Coordinating Committee. Nominees should have experience in any of the J40 investment categories and should have a strong understanding and appreciation for the racial equity principals. The commission will meet at least monthly for two years. The deadline for nominations is February 27 at 5 pm. Please submit nominees to [email protected].
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