New Mexico regulators have voted to repeal a set of rules that would have allowed the state to participate in a regional cap and trade program for curbing greenhouse gas emissions
The Environmental Improvement Board’s vote came Monday during a meeting in Santa Fe.
The cap and trade provisions were passed in the waning weeks of former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico’s electric utilities, oil and natural gas developers and others had voiced opposition, saying the rules would put New Mexico at a disadvantage.
Opponents filed both legal appeals and administrative petitions with the board last year to have the rules repealed.
Environmentalists say they aren’t surprised by the board’s vote given that its new members were appointed by Martinez when she took office last year.
Some sanity still exists in this country.