A proposed clean vehicles air rule announced last week by the city of Albuquerque would go a long way toward addressing the area's part in global climate change, the city's health director said in a news release.
In its news release issued Friday, the city announced Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Joint Air Quality Program formal to the control board to adopt new regulations, an updated rule, that would align with California's car and truck emission standards for model year 2027.
"Transportation is one of our largest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions in Albuquerque and we're using all our tools to reduce those levels," Albuquerque Environmental Health Director Angel Martinez Jr. said in the news release. "This updated rule will help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce air pollution, and improve the health of all our residents.”
If adopted, the updated rule would administer and enforce environmental regulations in Albuquerque and all of Bernalillo County, according to the news release.
New Mexico Environment Department developed the proposed Advanced Clean Vehicles Rule which, along with department's nearly identical petitioned rule, would collectively function as part of a statewide program. The updated rule would mandate increasing percentages of zero tailpipe emission cars and light duty trucks delivered to New Mexico by auto manufacturers..
The proposed updated rule is expected to enhance air quality significantly by reducing air pollution, particularly along transportation corridors, according to the news release. The city asked Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board to consider including the petition for the Advanced Clean Vehicle Rules on the agenda for its Aug. 9 meeting. The city also asked the control board to authorize a joint hearing with the New Mexico Environment Department Environmental Improvement Board to discuss both the city's and state's proposed rules together.
The agenda for the air control board's next meeting is available online.