New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham criticized for supporting federal greenhouse gas rules

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New federal environmental standards for vehicle fuels have been adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and applauded by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as the state aims to adopt its own requirements similar.

But the move was criticized by New Mexican Republicans who argued that stricter regulations on car and truck manufacturers could translate into higher costs for motorists.

The EPA said on Monday that it had finalized its rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, as part of a broader goal to reduce air pollution and tackle subsequent climate change. .

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The standards applied to cars and trucks from model years 2023 to 2026 and were expected to save Americans $ 190 billion by reducing pollution, benefiting public health and reducing fuel costs paid by drivers. at the pump.

Another set of standards was expected in 2027, according to the EPA’s announcement, via future separate regulations to advance the federal government’s agenda to promote zero-emission vehicles under an executive order issued that year. year by President Joe Biden.

In New Mexico, the state legislature considered a bill earlier this year that would have passed a clean fuel standard.

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This bill was blocked in the House of Representatives after being passed by the New Mexico Senate, and the New Mexico Department of the Environment (NMED) via the Environmental Improvement Council’s endeavored to develop and adopt regulations to establish such regulations.

Lujan Grisham has urged lawmakers to pass the clean fuels standard in the next legislative session in 2022 which begins in January, arguing that the transportation sector is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in New Mexico.

She agreed with the EPA that a clean fuel standard would save consumers money by adopting low-emission technology and reducing the environmental and health impacts of pollution.

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The 30-day January session was primarily for budget decisions, but Lujan Grisham has the power to set other legislative priorities for lawmakers to consider.

On July 29, 2021, the file photo New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks at a press conference in Santa Fe.

“These new requirements will protect public health by reducing emissions that cause climate change and degrade air quality across the country and right here in New Mexico, where the transportation sector is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases. greenhouse, ”said Lujan Grisham.

“This is exactly why New Mexico is due to adopt a clean fuel standard in the next legislative session. Together, the EPA and my administration are taking bold action for our economy and our climate. “

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The proposal also received support from NMED, as Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said the federal guidelines would help state-level efforts like New Mexico, but set a general standard for all states to follow.

“This rule helps accelerate our transition to zero tailpipe emissions for all vehicles sold in the United States,” Kenney said. “With the EPA’s action and New Mexico’s commitment to adopt both a clean fuels standard and clean car standards early next year, we are making significant progress toward the achievement of our ambitious climate goals. “

The New Mexico GOP leadership was not convinced the new rules were good for the state’s economy.

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House Republic Leader Jim Townsend, representing parts of oil-rich Eddy County in the Permian Basin oil field, said Lujan Grisham’s comments and his support for the regulations would lead to higher prices. fuel costs.

He pointed to what Townsend called Lujan Grisham’s model favoring environmental issues over the state economy.

“New Mexico is a predominantly rural state, and its reckless plans to take hard-earned New Mexicans’ money to fund its eco-activism for re-election are very misleading to the people,” Townsend said.

“There is nothing worse than having a politician with ambitions in Washington on the fourth floor, and this governor knows no bounds for restraining his ambitions to return to Washington or let his black money friends destroy New Mexico. “

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Energy industry advocacy group Power the Future has sided with the GOP in opposing a clean fuel standard that New Mexico spokesman Larry Behrens said would promote electric cars and renewables versus the traditional oil and gas that made up a significant part of New Mexico and the United States. fuel economy and supply.

“As with any other green agenda item proposed by this administration, this is another mandate from Washington that limits the choice of our families,” Behrens said.

“It is clear that President Biden is unwilling to let American families choose for themselves, because they might simply choose not to join the Green Agenda.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-618-7631, [email protected] or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Lujan Grisham Despises Support for Federal Greenhouse Gas Rules

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