Air Board Agrees to Hold Clean Cars Rulemaking Hearing

February 11, 2022

In yesterday’s Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board (Air Board) meeting, the Air Board agreed to schedule a joint hearing with the Environmental Improvement Board to consider adopting regulations which would implement California’s motor vehicle emission standards beginning with the model year 2026. The Air Board set the hearing for May 4, 2022, beginning at 9:00 am and continuing through May 6, 2022 to hear the merits of Petition No. 2022-01 to Repeal Existing Rule 20.11.104 NMAC, Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles, and Adopt Proposed Replacement Rule 20.11.104 NMAC, New Motor Vehicle Emission Standards. Additional details about the hearing, including how to participate, will be provided in the hearing notice published a minimum of 30 days before the hearing. City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Deputy Director Mara Elana Burstein issued the following statement after the Air Board meeting:

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to make the case to the Air Board that these new regulations, if adopted, would significantly reduce ground-level ozone pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicle emissions are one of the largest sources of pollution and this rulemaking will help us improve local air quality,” said Environmental Health Deputy Director Mara Elana Burstein.

Comments on the proposed rule can be sent to Ken Miller, Air Quality Regulation Development Coordinator, at [email protected].The petition, proposed rule, and related materials are available in the rule docket.