Air pollution controls adopted by The State of New Mexico could be made tougher than federal law as a bill advanced in the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday and could next face a vote on the Senate Floor.
Sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-25), Senate Bill 8 was intended to allow the State to adopt air pollution controls as stringent or tougher than federal restrictions through the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Improvement Board.
As the Air Quality Control and Hazardous Waste acts currently read, New Mexico is not capable of implementing stricter air quality controls than federal law.
If signed into law, SB 8 would amend both acts.
New Mexico Governor Authorizes Expanded Business Loan Program, Tax Relief, $600 Rebate For Individuals - 4:54 pm
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today signs a pair of economic measures that will deliver additional stimulus and relief for businesses and individuals across New Mexico. Courtesy photo
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3 into law, a pair of economic measures that earned broad bipartisan support in the Legislature and will deliver additional stimulus and relief for businesses and individuals across New Mexico.
In addition to legislation the governor has already signed into law that will provide for $200 million in small business grants, the economic relief measures signed Wednesday will deliver a $600 personal income tax rebate to hundreds of thousands of front-line and low-wage workers, provide for a four-month tax holiday for food and beverage businesses hit
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signs Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3 for Covid relief bizjournals.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bizjournals.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Presently, solar power is only available through large-scale utilities or personal home installations.
Supporters of community solar said it could allow low-income consumers or home renters to benefit from solar power and expand its use in New Mexico.
The move could also create progress toward the state’s carbon-reduction goals and increase in its renewable portfolio – both priorities outlined by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham upon taking office in 2019.
Similar legislation was previously defeated in the Legislature, but lawmakers did approve of creating a working group to better refine the proposal.
SB 84 sponsor Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics said during the Thursday hearing that representation in the working group include tribal organizations, utilities, solar advocates and interested citizens.
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A bill that would enable communities to subscribe to solar electricity without needing to install solar panels on their homes passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee Thursday. The bill would direct the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to develop and adopt rules to implement a community solar program in the state.
Community solar refers to “large, local solar arrays” that are “shared by individual community members who receive credits on their electricity bills for their portion of the power produced,” said Democratic Senator Liz Stefanics of Cerrillos, who is one of 10 sponsors of SB 84.
“Community solar makes solar power available to people who can’t access it for reasons such as renting, finances, apartment ownership, home type, etc,” Stefanics said. She added that the bill would likely lead to job creation and other economic benefits.