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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs an executive order aimed at climate change in this January file photo, while two Cabinet members and Albuquerque schoolchildren look on. The governor is traveling to the East Coast this week to take part in several climate change-related events. (Eddie Moore/Journal)

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is traveling to the East Coast this week to take part in several political events — including a panel on climate change in New York City .

The first-term Democratic governor left New Mexico on Monday and will participate Tuesday in a U.S. Climate Alliance panel with other governors.

A total of 25 governors, most of them Democrats, have joined the group, which requires its members to support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of renewable energy policies.

Lujan Grisham announced her plans to have New Mexico join the U.S. Climate Change Alliance during her first month in office this year.

Meanwhile, the governor will also travel to Washington, D.C. later this week, and will take part in a National Abortion Rights Action League event while in the nation’s capital, according to the Governor’s Office.

Lujan Grisham pushed during this year’s 60-day legislative session for a bill that would have repealed a long-dormant New Mexico abortion ban, but the legislation died in the state Senate.

Lujan Grisham is scheduled to return to New Mexico on Friday and her travel expenses will be paid for with campaign funds, a spokeswoman said.

Per the state constitution, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will serve as acting governor while Lujan Grisham is traveling out of state.