Questions Remain Over What Impact New Revised Rule Will Have
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—A historic public hearing in front of the Joint ABQ-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board concluded last night, Monday, December 11th, at which the Board heard evidence and requests from the Mountain View Coalition, Pro-Se Parties, Dr. Sofia Martinez and Manuel Criollo represented by the UNM Natural Resources Law Clinic, and Pueblo of Isleta, along with countless community partners to address decades of environmental racism.
The hearing began on Monday December 4th and concluded on December 11. The Board heard testimony from legal experts as well as over 100 public comments from community members, overwhelmingly in support of the Health, Environment & Equity Impacts (HEEI) regulation.
Deliberations began Monday, December 11th during the afternoon, and wrapped up at nearly 8pm Monday evening. The Board adjourned after adopting a rule, though it is not clear whether the rule the Board adopted represents the logic reflected in the original regulation presented by environmental justice communities and whether it will adequately address Community concerns.
During last night’s deliberations, board members debated about how to define overburdened areas and other topics. At this time, no rule in writing has been made available, so it remains unclear how the rule passed by the Board better protects Bernalillo County, especially areas that have been historically overburdened and harmed by air pollution.. …
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