Special to the Beacon

    SANTA FE - If an aggressive statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions is set, it could result in hundreds of area job losses and astronomically high electricity rates; on the other hand, not passing a cap could result in more respiratory illnesses and deaths here, particularly among children.

    That was the contrasting picture painted this week by opponents and supporters of a petition to roll back the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere to 25 percent below their 1990 levels by the year 2020.

    On March 1, more than 100 people signed in to address the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board on the cap's pros and cons. And the EIB promised more opportunities for public comment in coming months.

    State Senator David Ulibarri (D-30) started the six hours of testimony by reminding the EIB that it     “must be accountable” on whatever action the board takes

    “We, as legislators, are already faced with the difficult challenges of balancing our budget between revenue enhancements and cuts to crucial programs . . . I think it would be unconscionable to impose regulations that would result in further job losses in our state,” Ulibarri said.

He then submitted for the record the draft of a senate memorial Ulibarri introduced during the regular legislative session, requesting the EIB to reject consideration of the greenhouse gas emissions cap, proposed by a Santa Fe-based advocacy group called New Energy Economy.

    “The memorial was not considered by my colleagues, due to a lack of time,” Ulibarri said.

The EIB then heard three hours of testimony from supporters of the petition, which included Four Corners residents, physicians, environmentalists and renewable energy interests.

    “To combat (emissions) will cost money. To not take action will cost even more money,” said Dr. Robert Bernstein, a Santa Fe physician.

Medical supporters of the cap measure cited everything from increased cases of asthma and other respiratory conditions to cardiovascular and neurological disorders as the consequences of not taking action now.

    Dr. Bruce Trigg, a Crownpoint physician said children born to nonsmoking, non-asthmatic Native Americans and Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected in pollution-heavy areas. “Do the legislators know their own constituents have double the rate of asthma hospital admissions?”

    After a short lunch break, the EIB heard three hours of testimony from opponents of the greenhouse gas emissions cap. They consisted largely of businesspeople, utility officials and mining interests.

    C&E Concrete's Walter Meech criticized the makeup of the state Environmental Improvement Board. “I don't think you can be impartial. This board was not elected by the people,” he said.

The EIB, a board appointed by Governor Bill Richardson, has come under attack by many because its members have been involved with environmental interests.

    “We, the people, did not give this board the authority to impose an unprecedented carbon tax on this state. Why does this board think it has the right to do so?” Los Lunas resident James Crawford asked.

Patricia Morlen, an Algodones resident who described herself as “an average citizen” without ties to any environmental or energy interest, reminded the EIB to consider the working poor.

    “We do not need to chase jobs out of this state. We do not need new regulations imposed,” Morlang said.

    Officials with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and McKinley Paper Co. said the reduction of coal-produced energy called for in the New Energy Economy petition could force closures at their Prewitt-based operations.

Meanwhile electricity customers, including members of Continental Divide Electric Co-op, would see rates skyrocket.

    “Our preliminary analysis amounts to $100 million (additional revenue needed), per year for 30 years,” said Barbara Walz, who oversees environmental affairs for Tri-State.

Continental Divide Electric presented the EIB with 1,220 letters from its members, opposing the emissions cap.

    “The people of our community are angry and scared of the consequences. In our area, a laid-off worker packs up and leaves the area. It's that simple,” CDEC General Manager Richard Shirley said.

The proposed cap would apply to all New Mexico entities that require an air permit from the state, including oil and gas producers, manufacturers, cement and asphalt plants, power plants and mining operations.

He and others who gave testimony at Monday's hearing stressed that emissions policy should come from the federal, not state level where everyone is required to participate.

    “Any climate change legislation needs to recognize regional differences in how electricity is used and produced. It also need to be fair, affordable and achievable,” Shirley said.

    A decision on the petition is not expected any time soon. The EIB was to hear more technical testimony on Tuesday and the public comment period is expected to last through June.

    In addition, several lawmakers, utilities and interest groups have filed a lawsuit in state District Court challenging the EIB's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions without first establishing an air quality standard.