The Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board (AQCB) will hold a virtual and in-person joint public hearing to consider the Clean Car Rule proposed by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the City of Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department (EHD) beginning May 4, 2022.  The in-person meeting will be held in the San Miguel (#215) and Mesilla Rooms (#235) on the eastern upper level of the City of Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd Street NW.  Virtual participants can find meeting access information on the NMED’s event calendar for Wednesday, May 4, and Thursday, May 5.  Any person may submit written public comments on the Clean Car Rule, preferably via the EIB’s public comment form until the close of the hearing or present public comments verbally during the four public comment periods scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 4th, and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 5th, 2022.  The public comment periods end once all interested persons have spoken.  

The proposed Clean Car Rule reduces emissions from the transportation sector by making about 3,800 additional zero-tailpipe emission passenger cars – like fully electric vehicles – available in dealer showrooms in New Mexico each year.  If adopted, the Clean Car Rule is projected to eliminate about 130,000 tons of greenhouse gases and over 1,700 tons of harmful ozone-forming air pollution in New Mexico by 2050.

NMED and EHD anticipate the hearing will last approximately two days with the EIB and AQCB potentially deliberating and making a decision immediately following the hearing. The EIB and AQCB will consider the proposed rule and decide whether to adopt it as proposed or with amendments.