Project Summary

The City of Albuquerque (CABQ): Environmental Health Department and New Mexico First partnered to update and support the implementation of a revised CABQ Climate Action Plan (CAP) to mitigate contributions to climate change. A CAP Task Force, comprised of diversely qualified community leaders, was created to empower community voices, and guide the development of an equitable, community-based plan. The CAP is intended to advise the next stage of the city’s climate change vision and support citywide improvements.

Meeting Minutes


Meeting Recordings


Presentation Slides


Presentation Recordings

View biographies provided by Task Force Members.


Tara Trafton

Tara Trafton represents the Duranes neighborhood. She completed a double MS in Sustainable Energy Systems from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and Politecnico di Torino in Italy, and serves as the Project Success Manager for Yearout Energy Services Company and the Secretary for the New Mexico Association of Energy Engineers. She joined the Task Force because she is passionate about the energy transition and sustainability.


Sharon Hausam

Sharon Hausam represents the Near North Valley and irrigates off the Griegos Acequia. She has over twenty years of experience as a community-based planner working with Native American tribes and is an adjunct faculty at the University of New Mexico in the Community and Regional Planning Program. She is participating in the Task Force because climate change and equity are the most important issues of our time.


Amy Carpenter

Amy Carpenter is a retired teacher of English, Journalism, Drama, and Social Studies, with more than 22 years of teaching experience in New Mexico, Bangkok, Thailand, and Morocco. For years, she has been actively involved in environmental justice, and committed to multicultural and intergenerational teaching and learning. She believes that great improvement is needed and possible, but must begin with engaging young people and listening to the voices of elders.


Theresa Cardenas

Theresa Cardenas represents the far northeast heights and the Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates a nonprofit dedicated to a sustainable resilient water future through effective water management and planning. She joined the Task Force to advocate for equitable public policies and sustainable solutions. She holds a BS dfrom the University of New Mexico and an MS in Sustainability from Arizona State University with a concentration in water resources.


Molly Blumhoefer

Molly Blumhoefer lives in the Nob Hill area. She holds degrees in Environmental Planning & Water Resources and is employed at Central New Mexico Community College as an adjunct faculty member and a fulltime Sustainability Manager. She joined the Task Force because of her belief that working with others to emphasize connections between the health of people and place is the only path to real climate solutions.


Genesis Arizmendi

Genesis Arizmendi, PhD, CCC-SLP, lives in the Nob Hill area. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in July 2020 through the Climate Reality Project. Dr. Arizmendi joined the Task Force to bring representation, accessibility, and advocate for equity in marginalized communities and to work toward a plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change.


Alex Montano

Alex Montano represents the Northeast Heights neighborhood. He serves as the Senior Vice President of Development at Yearout Energy, the Chair of the Albuquerque Energy Council, the Private Co-Chair of the Energy Services Coalition NM Chapter, and a member of the National Energy Services Coalition Board of Directors. Alex joined the Task Force to pursue his ongoing commitment towards the betterment of the natural and built environments.


Emily Phan

Emily Phan represents the Albuquerque High School area. She is the Vice President of Fight For Our Lives, and serves on the board of both New Mexico Youth Empowerment and the University of New Mexico’s Leaders for Environmental Actions and Foresight. Emily is passionate about inspiring others and bringing light to the climate crisis, while introducing climate-conscious curricula into educational institutions.


Tony Sparks

Tony Sparks lives in the Uptown area of Albuquerque. He works for the Facilities Design & Construction Department of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), where he is the Staff Project Manager for HVAC Systems, Energy Efficiency & Sustainability. He is also the Coordinator of the APS Water and Energy Conservation Committee (WECC). Tony is an advocate for the betterment of our built environment, working tirelessly to make meaningful improvements in building design and operation.


Kevin Bean

Kevin Bean represents Carnuel in the Tijeras Canyon. He has a BA in English and Political Science from the University of New Mexico and experience with Environment New Mexico, the Conservation Voters of New Mexico, the Albuquerque Water Conservation Division, the Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates, Climate Action Team of the Rio Grande Sierra Club, and the Creation Care Committee at St. John XXIII Catholic Community. Kevin joined the task force to mobilize the community to address the climate emergency.


Solana Granados

Solana Granados (she/her) represents the Silver Hill neighborhood. She is an undergraduate student at University of New Mexico studying Political Science, and Community and Regional Planning. She works at the Laguna Behavioral Health Center as a Victim’s Advocate Intern. Solana joined the Task Force to ensure other voices are heard, create a local impact, and engage it as an invaluable learning process.


Erica Velarde

Erica Velarde represents the Northwest part of Albuquerque, near Balloon Fiesta Park. She has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She serves as the Comprehensive Solutions Account Executive for Trane Technologies, the Vice-President for the Board of Regents for Northern New Mexico College, a member of the Higher Education Regents Committee, and the President of the Board of Directors of Eagle Corp. Erica wants to help her community and give back in every possible way.


Chas Robles

Chas Robles represents the South Valley. He currently serves as the Director of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, which completes important natural and cultural resource protection projects with indigenous youth in and around Albuquerque and throughout the region. He joined the Force to support this critical work and to help create and inform policies that are inclusive of and accessible to all of our residents.

Make Comments and Ask Questions

The City of Albuquerque and New Mexico First are committed to public engagement and transparency.  Meeting notes will be taken during task force meetings. The public is invited to provide comments at the end of each meeting. Public comments may also be emailed to CABQClimateComments@nmfirst.org.