Governor vetoes delay for auto emissions

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Gov. Bill Richardson vetoed two bills Saturday that would have delayed implementing emission requirements for cleaner-burning vehicles, but he directed the Environment Department to establish a schedule for phasing in the state limits.

The Environment Department will work with New Mexico auto dealers and other interested parties to discuss an implementation schedule for the clean car standards "that is not unduly burdensome on our state's auto industry but which also begins to address environmental concerns meaningfully and in an appropriate time frame," Richardson said in a message accompanying the veto.

"It may be that a delay in implementation is prudent and acceptable, but that should be determined by an informed, direct dialogue between interested parties and my administration."

The tougher emission standards were scheduled to start with 2011 model cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles. Those should become available to consumers next year.

The New Mexico legislation would have pushed back the start date for the New Mexico standards until 2013-model vehicles.

President George W. Bush's administration last year blocked 14 states, including New Mexico, from implementing the California-developed limits to restrict greenhouse gas emissions.

Richardson said in the message that in an ideal world the federal government would implement enforceable national standards that would cover all states uniformly.

"However, that is not happening at the federal level in the time frame I believe necessary to protect human health and solve the problem of climate change, which becomes more pressing by the day," Richardson said.

Supporters of delaying the emissions requirements have said it would help New Mexico auto dealers and give the federal government time to develop new national car emission standards.

Neighboring states of Texas, Colorado and Arizona have not adopted the California emission standards. Border-area car dealers in New Mexico worry they will lose business to other states if automakers increase vehicle prices because of the emission requirements.

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board adopted the stricter emission standards in 2007.

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