This news should help Richardson's campaign. He has the best environmental agenda of any of the candidates. Jerry On Nov 29, 2007, at 3:10 PM, Lyle Krewson wrote: Sierrans I thought you might be interested in this one. Lyle --------------------------- cc:Mail Users----------------------------- ** Remember to DELETE the 'Sender: ...' lines above before REPLYing ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friends,  Here is an activist update re:  LEV II adoption in New Mexico.   -Dan HelveticaACTIVIST UPDATE:  NM CLEAN CARS STANDARDS HelveticaNovember 28, 2007 Helvetica  HelveticaJust after midnight last night both the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) and the Albuquerque Bernalillo Air Quality Control Board responded to public support and technical testimony by adopting California’s Low Emission Vehicle LEV II auto emission standards for cars, SUVs and light trucks.  New Mexico is the thirteenth state to adopt these tougher new car emission standards.  Helvetica  HelveticaRepresenting the auto industry was the Automobile Manufacturers Alliance who, as in the other clean car states, argued that the standard was too difficult to meet.  That they were already complying successfully in the other LEV II states tended to weaken many of their arguments.  Others who opposed the new standards included the NM Automobile Dealers Assoc., NM Farm and Livestock Bureau and the NM Cattle Growers Assoc.  These groups contended the regulations could hurt their respective industries. Helvetica  HelveticaSupporting these tougher but very do-able tailpipe emissions standards was the Rio Grande Chapter partnering with a coalition of public health, faith based and conservation groups.  National Sierra Club Attorney, David Bookbinder, lead a panel of coalition witnesses and cross-examined auto industry testimony.  We were also represented with supporting testimony from the Chapter by Norma McCallan, The Northern Group by Dexter Cooledge and Eva Thaddeus for the Central Group.  Additionally, other Sierra Club members, Chapter staff, students, health professionals and religious leaders all went on record supporting adoption of the new rule. Helvetica  HelveticaResponding to the recommendations of the Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG), Governor Richardson directed the Air Quality Bureau of the Environment Department to implement the process of public notice and hearings before the two boards with the authority to choose the California tailpipe emission standards over the weaker federal standards that we have been using.  The Clean Air Act gives every state that choice.  Helvetica  HelveticaOnly new cars that meet the LEV II standards will be sold in New Mexico starting with model year 2011.  These regulations will not affect any vehicles on the road today.  The other Clean Cars States are California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.  Other states considering adoption include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Helvetica  HelveticaThe Automobile Manufacturers Alliance has threatened to file suit against New Mexico in federal court (as they have in four other states).  Additionally, in an effort to wrest control of this Administrative prerogative and place that control with the Legislature, four legislators (George Hanosh, John Arthur Smith, Timothy Jennings and Jim Trujillo) have filed suit in a Las Cruces District Court seeking injunctive action against the EIB and challenging their authority to adopt the standards.  The state is confident that it does have the required authority. Helvetica  HelveticaOur 7,000 members can celebrate both a healthier, less smoggy air quality future and a significant reduction in New Mexico’s CO2 contribution to global climate change.  This is a big step towards responsible reaction to climate change by New Mexicans. Thank you Rio Grande Chapter Activists!  To find out more, please contact Dan Lorimier, Chapter Conservation Coordinator, at 575-740-2927.   HelveticaDan Lorimier HelveticaSierra Club, Rio Grande Chapter HelveticaConservation Coordinator Helvetica505-740-2927 Helvetica0000,0000,EEEE[log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubsribe from the CONS-FRED list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: 0000,0000,EEEEhttp://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Helvetica____________________________________________ HelveticaLyle Krewson HelveticaProfessional Lobbying Services Helvetica1725 S. 50th Street #602 HelveticaWest Des Moines, IA 50265 Helvetica0000,0000,EEEE[log in to unmask] Helvetica515-238-7113 - Cel Helvetica____________________________________________  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubsribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Jerry