Last month’s adoption
of the Clean Cars Program by the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB)
and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board (AQCB)
was a significant environmental and global warming victory for public
health, consumer pocketbooks and New Mexico’s environment.
Approved
on November 27 by the EIB and AQCB, the Clean Cars Program will begin
reducing smog-forming and air toxic pollution and global warming
emissions from new vehicles sold in New Mexico beginning in Model Year
2011. Twelve other states have also adopted the standards, representing
approximately 36 percent of the nation’s vehicle market.
Four
state legislators and a handful of businesses immediately sued the EIB
in a Las Cruces court, essentially claiming the EIB lacked authority to
adopt vehicle emission standards.
Yesterday,
Las Cruces District Court Judge Robles heard a motion to dismiss the
case filed by the New Mexico Attorney General and decided to dismiss
the lawsuit.
We’re
pleased with Judge Robles’ decision yesterday to dismiss the anti-Clean
Cars lawsuit. This is an important decision for ensuring that New
Mexico’s Clean Cars Program is protected.
