Air Quality Bureau
Hot Topics in Air Quality Planning
Exceptional Events Demonstration for Windblown Dust
The Air Quality Bureau has prepared an exceptional events demonstration for windblown dust caused exceedances of particulate matter. Go here to download the document and comment.
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
The Air Quality Bureau’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides information for many small business industries in New Mexico, including shops that perform spray painting, abrasive blasting, and metal fabrication. The SBEAP Industry Sector web page has general information on New Mexico and Federal regulations, as well as notification forms that may be required by your business. Take a look at the following link:
Information for Small Business Industry Sectors
New Mexico Clean Diesel Project
The Air Quality Bureau is using federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds as well as funds granted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for diesel emission reduction projects throughout New Mexico. Various diesel fleet owners, public and private, have taken advantage of this project to implement emission reduction projects on their fleets. The ARRA/DERA grant funding expires soon. DERA grant funding has the potential to continue annually until 2016.
For more information, please refer to the New Mexico Clean Diesel Project website.
Greenhouse Gases Tailoring Rule
On November 10, 2010, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board adopted federally required amendments to 20.2.70 NMAC - Operating Permits and 20.2.74 NMAC - Permits - Prevention of Significant Deterioration. These amendments incorporate permitting requirements for the largest sources of greenhouse gases. The adoption of these amendments ensures that New Mexico maintains primary authority over these two permitting programs.
Final versions of these rules are available on the New Mexico Climate References website.
Western Regional Air Partnership “West Jump” 2011-2012 Modeling Project
The West Jump Air Quality Modeling Study was conceived by the New Mexico Air Quality Bureau, the New Mexico State Office of the Bureau of Land Management, and BP. The focus of the study is to provide the next round of west-wide regional modeling and analysis work to support air quality planning efforts in the Four Corners region of New Mexico under revised and new ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, while routinely incorporating National Environmental Policy Act project air quality studies’ results. The "West Jump" study will also assist other western states with their planning efforts for areas designated as nonattainment for ozone.
This is a one year project that will build on the Air Quality Modeling Study for the Four Corners Region at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/4C/Modeling.html, as well as other sub-regional studies such as those from the Denver metro and Wasatch Front areas.
A draft summary of the project and other information on regional ozone analysis is available here: http://www.wrapair2.org/ozone.aspx
Four Corners Air Quality Group
The Four Corners Air Quality Group (4CAQG) is a forum for individuals interested in air quality to meet, learn about current conditions, review progress on mitigation of air quality impacts, and generally contribute to clean air in the Four Corners area. The group normally meets at least once per year and more often if circumstances warrant it. The group is convened by the States of Colorado and New Mexico, with the support of a range of state, tribal and federal agencies.
To join the Four Corners Air Quality Group, please sign up. You will be notified of meetings and other important air quality information affecting the Four Corners area. For more information, please refer to the 4CAQG website.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
In November 2010, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board adopted new rules for greenhouse gas emissions reporting and verification, and repealed one of the existing greenhouse gas reporting rules (20.2.87 NMAC - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting). Procedures for monitoring and reporting 2011 greenhouse gas emissions are available here. These requirements will only apply to large industrial facilities, primarily power plants, refineries, gas processing plants, and large natural gas compressor stations, but also include a few large industrial and institutional boilers.
The new rules became effective on January 1, 2011, which means that the first annual emissions reports under the new rules will be due in mid-2012. Information on the reporting and verification rules can be found here.
Regional Haze
The blue skies and scenic vistas of New Mexico are considered some of the most beautiful in the United States. While New Mexico's residents and visitors frequently enjoy good visibility, air pollutants interfering with light transmission can impose limitations on aesthetic appreciation of scenery.
On June 2, 2011, the Environmental Improvement Board approved New Mexico's Regional Haze State Implementation Plan.
The SIP and associated regulations are posted at:
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/reghaz/regional-haze_index.html