The Senate Finance committee has adopted amendments to House Bill 2 (HB2) that would gut New Mexico's environmental agencies. The amendments would cut $300,000 in funding and two full-time staff attorneys from the New Mexico Environment Department and four full-time staff attorneys from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD).
"These staffing and budget cuts are part of a larger battle being waged by industry lobbyists and their friends in the legislature this session. These dirty tactics are payback for these agencies standing up to powerful special interests and doing what's right for New Mexico's environment," said Lauren Ketcham, an advocate with Environment New Mexico.
In November, the New Mexico Environment Department adopted rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles, called the Clean Cars Program. And EMNRD's Oil Conservation Division is considering rules that would require some toxic oil and gas pit waste to be moved off site to protect New Mexico's ground water and public health. Both rules have been fiercely opposed by industry.
A House-Senate conference committee, composed of three members from Senate Finance and three from House Appropriations, will be meeting soon to reconcile the budget and will have the opportunity to restore the funding and positions.
"These staffing and budget cuts would be devastating to New Mexico's environment. These agencies would be severely limited in their ability to work effectively to adopt and enforce standards designed to protect public health, safety and our environment," said Ketcham. "We're calling on members of Senate Finance and House Appropriations to restore these staffing positions and necessary funding."
