Yesterday, the New Mexico Senate passed HB 41 Clean Transportation Fuel Standards by a vote of 26 to 15. The legislation, sponsored by Representatives Kristina Ortez (HD-42) and Christine Chandler (HD-43), establishes a statewide fuel standard to reduce pollutants from the transportation sector 30% below 2018 levels by 2040. On February 3rd, the House of Representatives passed HB 41 on a floor vote of 36 to 33.
The American Lung Association gave five New Mexico counties – Bernalillo, Doña Ana, Eddy, Lea, and San Juan – a ranking of D or below based on the amount of high ozone days. Nearly 1 in 7 New Mexicans suffer from a respiratory illness, which can be linked to climate pollution, including from oil and gas production. HB 41 is a necessary step in shifting our transportation sector away from traditional fossil fuels to protect public health while creating a market for low-carbon fuel alternatives in New Mexico.
In response, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) Climate & Energy Director Samantha Kao issued the following statement:
“We applaud the Senate for passing HB 41 and taking a meaningful step to fight air pollution and protect New Mexico communities. Clean fuels, like biodiesel, can be used to power the vehicles that many of us already own, which will result in a dramatic – and immediate – cut in the state’s climate emissions. This bill, working in tandem with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help increase the supply and demand for alternative transportation fuels, which will create jobs, lower transportation emissions, and improve air quality. We encourage the Governor to follow the lead of the Legislature and to sign Clean Fuels into law.”