Santa Fe, N.M. — Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) will present State Representative Gail Chasey with the 2017 Luminaria Award for championing New Mexico’s communities most impacted by contamination and environmental injustice at CVNM’s 11th annual legislative reception on Feb. 8. CVNM’s Annual Legislative Reception is a dynamic gathering of policymakers, business leaders and community members, and will showcase CVNM’s 2017 legislative priorities.
“As a longtime admirer of the work of Conservation Voters and an ally of CVNM’s mission to connect people to their political power, I am deeply honored to receive the 2017 Luminaria award,” says Rep. Gail Chasey. “It can be frustrating for legislators and advocates when progress is slow, and victories are sometimes won only through strong defense. I share credit for small victories not only with CVNM, but with scores of my dedicated constituents and colleagues who inspire our efforts to protect our air, land and water in the Land of Enchantment.”
Rep. Chasey’s ceaseless activism and bravery to always do the right thing make her a powerful ally for New Mexico’s communities. She has a Lifetime Score in CVNM’s annual Conservation Scorecard of 94%—and a whopping nine straight years at 100%. The Scorecard provides objective, non-partisan information about the conservation voting records of all members of the legislature.
“Rep. Chasey has an amazing depth of knowledge on issues impacting families. Couple this with her unwavering and seemingly infinite compassion over her 20 years of service, and it’s easy to see why Rep. Chasey is an inspiration to many of us in the conservation community and her constituents,” says Demis Foster, CVNM Executive Director.
In addition to consistently voting to protect New Mexico’s air, land, water and communities, Rep. Chasey sponsored significant environmental legislation in 2013. Examples include the Consolidated Environmental Review Act (HB 458, 2013), which would have streamlined environmental permitting for public projects that would have protected public and environmental health, and the Oil and Gas Modernization Act (HB 286, 2013) to update the 1935 Oil and Gas Act to reflect modern age realities of the industry’s impact on our crucial and declining water supplies and community health.
Past Luminaria Award Honorees
2016: Senator Cisco McSorley
2015: House Democratic Leader Brian Egolf
2014: Senator Peter Wirth
2013: Representative Mimi Stewart
2012: Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez
2011: Auditor Hector Balderas
2010: Mark Fesmire, Director of Oil Conservation Division
2009: Speaker of the House Ben Lujan & Senator Cisco McSorley
2008: Lt. Governor Diane Denish
2007: Governor Bill Richardson
CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. We do this by mobilizing voters, helping candidates win elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.
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