ALBUQUERQUE — Closing arguments have been made, and now it’s up to New Mexico regulators to decide whether to adopt more rules aimed at capping greenhouse-gas emissions across the state.
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board on Dec. 6 will consider a petition from nonprofit group New Energy Economy that would force large polluters such as power plants and refineries to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions by 3 percent per year from 2010 levels. The petition was the focus earlier this year of days of public hearings and expert testimony.
Critics contend New Mexico businesses and electric ratepayers would end up footing the bill for the new regulations, but supporters argue the economic impact would actually be positive and a limit on the amount companies would be required to spend to reduce emissions would help control costs.
Even if the board were to approve New Energy Economy’s petition, the fate of those regulations and the state’s cap-and-trade program remain uncertain. Some critics are considering legal action and others say it’s possible for Gov.-elect Susana Martinez and legislators to roll back the rules.
