U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg enjoyed an April 5 visit to New Mexico State University.
On topic that day was discussion of transportation, infrastructure and workforce between Buttigieg, Chancellor Dan Arvizu, four engineering students and two U.S. House members, according to The Las Cruces Bulletin.
"I enjoyed meeting with New Mexico State University (@nmsu) students to discuss what we're doing to modernize transportation, increase access to transit and create good-paying jobs for rural and underserved communities," Buttigieg said in a Twitter post.
Buttigieg was joined on the stage of the university's Corbett Center auditorium by U.S. House Reps. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico and Nanette Barragan of California, The Las Cruces Bulletin reported. The gathering was part of President Joe Biden's administration's Investing in America Tour, intended to learn needs of different regions of the country and discuss investments.
Buttigieg announced a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to Las Cruces to modernize the city's natural gas distribution lines. The project is expected to create jobs and reduce methane emissions, according to The Las Cruces Bulletin.
University students expressed the need for environmentally sustainable practices and better transportation access in for rural communities, according CBS 4 News. Buttigieg said the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes funding for passenger rail, which could help address some concerns expressed.
Vasquez talked about a passenger rail system from El Paso to Deming, while students also expressed concerns for more housing, career growth opportunities and livable wages that would encourage them to stay in New Mexico after graduation, CBS 4 News reported.
Las Cruces is one of more than 20 U.S. communities receiving Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant funding, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs nationwide for repair, replacement or rehabilitation of almost 270 miles of pipe, according to a DOT news release. Methane emissions reduction is expected to reach 212 metric tons annually.
