ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Wednesday, August 9, President Joe Biden spoke to a crowd at the Arcosa Wind Towers Facility, located at the former Keter facility in Belen. The wind turbine manufacturer announced its expansion into New Mexico earlier this year.
President Joe Biden arrived in Albuquerque on Tuesday as a part of a tour of the Southwest. After leaving New Mexico, President Biden will fly to Salt Lake City as he concludes his three-day trip through the southwest.
Roger Martella, GE Vernova’s Chief Sustainability Officer
The remarks began with input from Roger Martella, GE Vernova’s Chief Sustainability Officer. Martella focused on the success of the Inflation Reduction Act, calling it a “transformative era of action” for climate change, and emphasizing the act’s role in strengthening the relationship between the private and public sectors.
Martin Heinrich, United States Senator
Next, Senator Martin Heinrich spoke on the recent changes to the New Mexico job market. Heinrich reflected on the year 2020, saying New Mexicans were ready to work hard, but the jobs were not there. The senator touched on how the new Arcosa facility is proof that investing in smaller communities is working. Heinrich closed by thanking local leadership for pushing to create 250 new manufacturing and trade careers in Belen.
Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Governor
Following Senator Heinrich, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took the podium. The governor made sure to stress the need for a federal government whose vision is the same as that of local governments. Lujan Grisham put the spotlight on the new Arcosa facility, saying it can give hope to other rural communities around the globe. Governor Lujan Grisham boasted about the addition of 40,000 jobs in New Mexico last year and highlighted the influence creating clean-energy jobs can have on New Mexico’s future workforce.
Ben Ray Luján, United States Senator
Next, Senator Ben Ray Luján stepped up to speak. The senator focused on the $750 million in tower orders that have been put into the Arcosa facility and how that investment will drive unemployment numbers lower in the state. Luján ended by calling attention to the New Mexicans that have yet to receive reparations for the detonation of the atomic bomb at the Trinity Site 78 years ago.
Antonio Carrillo, President and CEO of Arcosa
After Luján, the president and CEO of Arcosa, Antonio Carrillo, spoke. Carrillo said that the new Arcosa plant demonstrates the future impact that the Inflation Reduction Act can have. The president and CEO emphasized how this new facility is driving the transition to clean energy and job creation, all while meeting the growing demand for renewable energy. Before introducing President Biden, Carrillo stated how the Belen facility is just one example of how policy directly impacts business.
President Joe Biden’s Speech
President Biden opened his speech by talking about the importance of creating technology within the United States rather than outsourcing it from other countries. He spoke on his goal of growing the economy from the “middle out and the bottom up.” Biden then highlighted the job growth and economic changes that have occurred during his time so far as president.
President Biden talked about the many jobs in technology that have been created – and continue to prosper – in the state of New Mexico. He also touched on the positive health and climate impacts of the planned wind towers at Arcosa.
The president’s main focus during his speech was to explain what he means when he refers to “investing in America.” Biden expressed how he wants to build up rural communities so families can stay put in their communities rather than having to leave to find jobs. The president’s plan to “invest in America” is to pour into the climate, businesses, rural communities, and individual jobs within the United States.
