Clean Air In the News

    With global temperatures rising, extreme storms becoming more frequent, pollution clouding out our scenic vistas, asthma reaching epidemic proportions and prices at the gas pump hitting all time highs, New Mexico took a decisive step to protect New Mexico's environment, public health and consumer pocketbooks by adopting a Clean Cars Program.
    On Nov. 28, with support from Gov. Richardson and Albuquerque Mayor Chávez, the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo Air Quality Control Board (AQCB) voted overwhelmingly to adopt stricter vehicle emission standards state-wide beginning in Model Year 2011. The Clean Cars Program, already adopted by 12 other states representing nearly 40 percent of the nation's vehicle market, limits unhealthy smog-forming and air toxic emissions, requires manufacturers to invest in the next generation of clean vehicles and reduces global warming emissions from new vehicles by 30 percent by 2016— all while achieving a net savings for consumers.
    But these cleaner vehicles may not make in onto New Mexico's roads if four legislators, including Santa Fe Rep. Jim Trujillo, and a handful of businesses have anything to do with it.
    Although state District Judge Robles dismissed their lawsuit against the new regulations last week, an appeal is possible. The lawsuit alleged that the Environmental Improvement Board lacked the authority to adopt Clean Car standards and that the matter would be better handled by the Legislature. The lawsuit attempts to distract from the real issue at hand— that the Clean Cars Program is the single best means of fighting global warming from motor vehicles in New Mexico.
    It was only after 16 months of debate within the Climate Change Advisory Group, one year of drafting regulations by the New Mexico Environment Department, two months of public comment that resulted in over 2,000 written and in-person comments and 23 hours of testimony from concerned citizens, businesses and organizations that the pro-industry lawsuit was filed.
    The New Mexico Legislature has already weighed in on the issue of motor vehicle standards, however. The New Mexico Air Quality Control Act authorizes the EIB and the AQCB to adopt regulations for motor vehicles to "prevent or abate air pollution." These boards are the state's authority for determining air quality standards and it is their duty to review and adopt clean air regulations, such as these Clean Car standards.
    While a debate about legislative authority versus executive authority may be worthwhile to ensure an appropriate balance of power, it will be necessary for us all to work together to develop the solutions to global warming— not work at odds against each other.
    The public has spoken loud and clear, with more than 2,000 public comments submitted in favor of Clean Cars during the rule-making process. Only about 20 comments were opposed to the program— less than 1 percent. Now a Las Cruces court has also spoken. Rep. Trujillo should do what's best for New Mexico and protect New Mexico's Clean Cars Program.
    Ketcham is head of the statewide, citizen-based advocacy group, Environment New Mexico.