A coalition of New Mexican citizen groups has petitioned the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board to update its Advanced Clean Car Standards by the end of 2021. The proposed standards aim to reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions and require auto manufacturers to increase the availability of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) in the region. A similar petition was filed with the state Environmental Improvement Board in June.

The timing of adopting these standards is crucial, as implementing them this year could lead to more electric vehicles being available in New Mexico by 2024 or sooner. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Keller have announced plans to adopt these standards at both state and county levels in 2022, which might delay implementation until later in the decade.

“2022 is too late,” said Tammy Fiebelkorn with Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). “Transportation is New Mexico’s second-largest source of pollution. We need to act sooner.”

The Federal Clean Air Act allows states either to follow federal emission standards or adopt more stringent Advanced Clean Car Standards. The standard will be updated in June 2022, potentially delaying New Mexico's program until 2026 if not adopted this year.

“Clean-car standards are critical to reaching the governor’s goal of a 45% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030,” stated Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director. “Reducing pollution from cars and trucks is critical to the health of our communities.”

The Clean Air Act mandates that states provide automakers at least two years' notice before enforcing new car standards. If New Mexico adopts these rules now, it could see clean vehicles on its roads by 2024. Delaying adoption beyond 2021 may postpone implementation until after new federal updates are released in 2023.

New Mexico has previously engaged in such rulemaking processes, making public input vital for timely results. House Bill 521 passed by the legislature requires utilities to develop charging infrastructure for EVs, while Senate Bill 489 sets a path toward zero-emission electricity.

“The legislature, the Public Regulation Commission and the electric utilities are already laying the groundwork for expanded electric vehicle infrastructure in the state,” said Demis Foster, Executive Director of Conservation Voters New Mexico.

Ona Porter, CEO of Prosperity Works noted that transportation costs rank second only behind housing expenses for families: “Accelerating clean car deployment can save families money and reduce pollution.”

The organizations filing today's petition include Center for Civic Policy, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Natural Resources Defense Council, Plug In America, Prosperity Works, Sierra Club, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, and 350 New Mexico.