Albuquerque City Council Overrides Mayor's Vetoes on Air Quality Regulation

Strategic Insights -

The Albuquerque City Council has voted to override the Mayor's vetoes of two pieces of legislation, O-23-88 and R-23-176, which aim to prevent the Air Quality Board from enacting regulations that could severely impact local businesses. The regulations, known as the Health, Environment, and Equity Impacts rule, have raised concerns among major employers, including Sandia National Labs and the University of New Mexico, due to their vagueness and lack of scientific basis. The Councilor Dan Lewis, who sponsored the bills, stated that the Mayor's veto was a "choice of environmental extremists over major economic development and jobs" in the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Albuquerque City Council has overridden the Mayor's vetoes of O-23-88 and R-23-176, which aim to prevent the Air Quality Board from enacting regulations that could severely impact local businesses.
  • The regulations, known as the Health, Environment, and Equity Impacts rule, have raised concerns among major employers, including Sandia National Labs and the University of New Mexico, due to their vagueness and lack of scientific basis.
  • The proposed rule could apply to any entity that requires an air permit, including small businesses, schools, hotels, office buildings, gas stations, and larger entities.
  • The City Councilor Dan Lewis stated that the Mayor's veto was a "choice of environmental extremists over major economic development and jobs" in the city.
  • The University of New Mexico has expressed concerns that the proposed regulations will negatively impact UNM operations on main campus and the Health Sciences Center.
  • Sandia National Labs has commented that the rule's vagueness and lack of scientific basis pose a risk to national defense and the Nation's ability to obtain air quality permits.
  • The City's Environmental Health Department has also expressed concerns with the regulations, stating that theycould apply to any entity that requires an air permit.
  • The City has acknowledged that there was no mechanism for dismissing rules or proposals that were out of the jurisdiction of the Air Quality Control Board.
  • The Council heard from various organizations, including the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Labs, and the United States Air Force, regarding their concerns with the proposed rule.

Statistics:

  • Sandia National Labs has over 12,000 employees and has a $4.6 billion economic impact to the State of New Mexico.
  • The proposed rule, Health, Environment, and Equity Impacts rule, is considered one of the most restrictive regulatory rules in New Mexico history.
  • The Air Quality Board has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and undemocratic decisions.

Sources:

  • The Albuquerque Journal
  • The Albuquerque City Council website: https://www.cabq.gov/council/find-your-councilor/district-5/news/city-council-overrides-mayor2019s-vetoes
  • Original text: https://www.cabq.gov/council/find-your-councilor/district-5/news/city-council-overrides-mayor2019s-vetoes