(The Center Square) – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is leading a business and trade mission in Australia.
The group is participating in the Asia Pacific Hydrogen 2023 Summit. They will meet with manufacturing companies who want to expand to New Mexico, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
During the summit, the governor will speak on a panel titled “Regional Collaboration & Trade from Asia-Pacific to the World” on October 26. Additionally, the governor will have one-on-one meetings with Australian public officials and business leaders.
“I’m looking forward to introducing the fourth global company this year to announce investments in New Mexico,” Lujan Grisham said. “Our thriving business climate is attracting businesses the world over, and these investments will bring higher-paying jobs, continued economic stability, and greater economic opportunity to New Mexicans.”
The governor’s delegation on the trip includes: First Gentleman Manny Cordova, Deputy Chief of Operations Caroline Buerkle, Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney, Environment Department Communications Director Matthew Maez, Economic Development Department Director Mark Roper, New Mexico Partnership President Melinda Allen and New Mexico Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rob Black, Avangrid Director of Innovation Enrique Bosch, XTO Energy/Exxon Mobil Issues and Advocacy Representative Jennifer Bradfute, Western States and Tribal Nations Energy Initiative Chairman Jason Sandel, and HyVisory Inc. Managing Director Stewart Stewart.
The governor’s office did not respond to several requests for information on how the trip was being paid for and how much it was expected to cost.
The trip comes a week after the U.S. Department of Energy did not select the Western Interstate Hydrogen Hub as one of its clean regional hubs.
The Energy Department awarded $7 billion to seven regional hubs in 16 states that seek to make hydrogen a viable energy source for vehicles, electricity generation, and manufacturing.
Lujan Grisham expressed disappointment with the decision but said she will keep working to expand the industry in New Mexico, as The Center Square previously reported.
“While we are disappointed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision, we are undeterred. I spoke with every project partner this morning and we agree: our bullish outlook has not changed, and we will continue to move forward,” Lujan Grisham said. “I am incredibly grateful for the work of our industry project partners and their commitment to furthering clean energy solutions that will benefit generations of New Mexicans to come.”
