Haze is that dirty looking veil in the air that hangs over the metropolitan area. Sulfur dioxide particles are partially to blame for that haziness, according to a 2022 annual regional report on sulfur dioxide emissions in the area.
As part of the compliance, each state must release, and get public comment, on a draft milestone report listing sulfur dioxide emissions from large applicable sources during a calendar year. The 2022 draft report says 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. Utah generated 8,952 tons and Wyoming spewed 38,739 tons.
The comment period is open until March 28, 2024. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on the draft Milestone Report in person at the March 13 Air Board meeting.
Albuquerque-Bernalillo County and the states of New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming have adopted implementation plans in order to comply with the 1999 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Haze Rule. Regional haze is air pollution that is transported long distances and reduces visibility in national parks and wilderness areas across the country. This rule applies to Class I areas which are basically wilderness areas with more than 5,000 acres. There are nine Class I areas in New Mexico with Bandelier Wilderness Area being the closest to the metro area.
The regional plan 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.
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, according to the city of Albuquerque documents. A ton of particulate matter is if one were to stack each particle on a scale until the particles weigh one ton.
Air 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. According to the report, the goal set for the region was not exceeded as adjusted regional emissions in 2022 were 59,364 tons, which was below the milestone of 141,849 tons.
To comment on the report in writing, contact:
Allen Smith
City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department, Air Quality Program
PO Box 1293
Albuquerque NM 87103
(505) 768-2637
Requests for language interpretation or translation services or for disability accommodations in relation to this public comment opportunity should be made as soon as possible by contacting:
Anita S. DeArmijo
City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department, Air Quality Program
One Civic Plaza NW, 3rd Floor, Room 3023
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 768-1915
asdearmijo@cabq.gov
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