By Hannah Grover, NM Political Report
The New Mexico Environment Department on Thursday released a draft rule intended to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
This rule comes as a result of legislation passed earlier this year and is a part of the clean transportation fuels program. It would do so by allowing producers and importers of low-carbon fuels to generate credits that could then be sold to those who produce or import fuels with higher carbon footprints.
“Our clean fuels program is based on the principle of rewarding businesses for helping New Mexico safeguard its air,” Environment Department Secretary James Kenney wrote in a statement. “The release of this draft rule signals that we’re close to bringing this initiative, which is poised to be a key factor in meeting our ambitious climate goals, to fruition.”
In a news release, the department stated that New Mexico could “generate millions in wages and capital investment in new and cutting-edge industries like clean hydrogen, syngas, and renewable propane.”
Those are controversial sources of energy that some advocates say are “greenwashing” and will not lead to meaningful declines in emissions.
The Environment Department is hosting public meetings in January to help educate the public about the draft rule and to get feedback. The first meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 6, 2025, at the Albuquerque International Public Library. The second meeting will be a virtual meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 10.
“New Mexico continues to lead on strategies to protect our planet from climate change while also creating the dynamic new clean energy jobs of the future,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “This new clean fuel program will help New Mexico continue to make progress toward our ambitious climate goals.”