One month after passing a controversial cap and trade agreement, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) on Monday (Dec. 6) passed another sweeping measure aimed at lowering the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
By a 4-1 vote, the EIB passed a statewide, New Mexico-only plan that places a cap upon the amount of emissions generated in the state. The plan was headed by the environmental group the New Energy Economy (you can see some of the details of the plan here.)
Supporters of the measure say this another important step that sees New Mexico helping to lead the way in reducing pollutants in the air and helping curb global warming. Critics say the program — as well as the regional plan passed last month — will not have make any discernible difference in the environment and will put New Mexico oil and gas companies at a competitive disadvantage with interests in other states, thus leading to a loss of jobs.
During the day-long meeting at the State Capitol, members in favor of the proposal said a big reason why they voted to pass Monday’s measure was in reaction to the likelihood that incoming Gov. Susana Martinez will try to roll back the regional cap and trade plan the EIB passed by one vote on Nov. 2. A number of EIB members said they see the statewide cap as a “backstop” to the regional plan:
So now the political machinations begin.
Gov.-elect Martinez takes office on Jan. 1 and it’s a virtual certainty she will ask for the resignations of all seven members of the board, as Bill Richardson did upon taking office.
Theoretically, a number of members could refuse to tender their resignations but John Horning told me last month he would step down if asked and Dillingham told me the same thing Monday night.
With resignations in hand, Gov. Martinez would have a free hand to pack the board with members who, presumably, would do their utmost to undo the regional cap and trade agreement passed in November as well as the statewide cap passed Monday night.
Martinez can expect little pushback from state legislators because there is little support — even among Democrats — for cap and trade.
However, it’s unclear just what it would take to reverse the EIB decisions.
Horning said last month that a simple edict from the governor is not enough and speculated that a reconstituted board could take as long as a year to rescind the measures.
The incoming Martinez administration has been looking into its options but has not outlined a strategy yet.
Regardless, it’s probably a safe bet the issue could end up in court with either environmental groups contesting any reversals or energy interests arguing that the current EIB agreements don’t pass constitutional muster.
So although the current EIB members almost certainly held their final meeting as a group Monday night, the cap and trade fight is far from over.
