Ever wonder where the haze that hangs over the metropolitan area comes from? Sulfur dioxide particles are partially to blame, according to the 2022 annual regional report on sulfur dioxide emissions presented to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board this week.

What?

The largest source of sulfur dioxide is fossil fuel emissions from power plants and other industrial facilities. One of the unique aspects of sulfur dioxide is that it reacts with other compounds in the atmosphere to form fine particles known as particulate matter. Particle pollution is the main cause of reduced visibility, said Allen Smith, City of Albuquerque Regulation Development Coordinator. A ton of particulate matter is literally if one were to stack each particle on a scale until the particles weigh one ton.

Why?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Haze Rule, issued in 1999, requires states to come up with implementation plans to improve air quality in mandatory Class I areas—basically wilderness areas with more than 5,000 acres. There are 156 areas nationwide, with nine in New Mexico. The closest Class I area to the Albuquerque metropolitan area is Bandelier Wilderness Area. Other areas in the state include Bosque del Apache, the Gila Wilderness, Pecos Wilderness, Wheeler Peak, Salt Creek, San Pedro Parks, Chiricahua and White Mountain. The goal is to reach natural visibility conditions—or no haze—by 2064.

Where?

The regional plan focuses on the states of New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. It looks at major pollution sources that emit more than 100 tons of particles a year. These include large power plants, cement and other large asphalt plants. The Western Regional Air Partnership determines the goals that should be obtained during the different time periods in order to reach the natural visibility goal by 2064. 

How Much?

During the 2022 reporting year, New Mexico had 2,232 tons of reported particulate matter. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County area reported 99 tons. The GCC Rio Grande cement plant in Tijeras—the only reporting plant in the metro area—increased its emissions slightly, but is still considered low, according to the report. 

In contrast, Utah generated 8,952 tons and Wyoming spewed 38,739 tons. The samples are collected using air samplers that can either use lasers to scan particulate matter in a cubic meter of air, while sometimes satellite imaging is used to measure energy reflected by the earth. Smith said the 2022 goal set was not exceeded, which is a positive thing.

How Bad?

The American Lung Association gives Bernalillo County, including Albuquerque, a D on in its 2023 State of Air Report for particulate matter. Taos County, Lea and Santa Fe got a B. And Doña Ana County got an F. 

Bernalillo County received a F for high ozone days as well. Rio Arriba received a B or its ozone levels, which is the highest rating given in the state. Ozone is good when it is up high but not good when it is closer to the ground. The ozone layer up high shields us from much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. But closer to the ground level where humans can breathe it in, ozone at ground level can cause serious health problems as ozone attacks lung tissue. Doña Ana, Eddy and San Juan counties all received F grades as well. The American Lung Association has been involved in advocating for the proposed Clean Car Rule that is currently on the air quality board’s radar.

One of the items postponed on this week’s air quality board agenda was a motion for a stay on new emission standards for new cars and light duty vehicles. The Advanced Clean Cars II regulation proposes sweeping changes, beginning in 2026, would move the state towards ensuring that 82% percent of all new cars and light duty vehicles delivered to New Mexico have zero emissions by 2032. 

The board decided to reach out to the New Mexico Environment Department to get on the same page as the state’s regulation as there needs to be one unified Clean Cars II regulation across the state, not different ones for each jurisdiction.

What is Next?

Smith said the draft report notice will be published then it will go out for public comment for 30 days then will be back to the air quality board for review and final approval in late March or April then it will go to the EPA.