TOP OF MIND
Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:
Do you think the ABQ-BernCo Air Quality Control Board will balance the concerns of residents and businesses fairly in its quest for an environmental justice rule?
We are not California. The mayor and governor want NM to live under California standards. No thank you. — Jerelynn Newcomb Albuquerque
Current Air Quality Board members are not considering residents or local businesses in their decisions. Our air quality does not rise to the level of urgent action and extensive regulation will cause more harm than good. Taxpayer money is better used elsewhere. The City Council’s actions were appropriate. — Michael Houck Albuquerque
No. It is fine. I monitor air particles for allergens and many other reasons. There is nothing about our air quality that requires an emergent response. — Cassandra Morrison Albuquerque
The Air Quality Board is making regulatory decisions that will not improve the air quality, and work against the best interests of local residents and businesses. An environmental justice rule does not use scientific practices and will be harmful. — Trish Logan
Albuquerque
ABQ-BernCo Air Quality Control Board’s new environmental justice rule is just absurd. It puts ideology above the people by implementing extensive regulations that do more harm than good. Our air quality does not rise to the level of urgent action and our tax dollars must be used elsewhere.
— Monica Renee Chavez
Albuquerque
I am asking the City Council to override the mayor’s veto to help my family and friends that work in construction companies. This directly affects all that work in these companies. — Pearl Schear Albuquerque
No, I do not think members of the air quality board are balancing the concerns of local residents or concerns of local or future businesses. This air board is extreme and biased, and does not understand the parameters they are trying to approve. This was evident in the public meetings — Dan Engineer Albuquerque
We all want to breathe clean air. But some people have allowed polluting industries in Mountain View to operate for years without consideration for our health. The Air Quality board can balance things by now considering our primary need to live, to live healthily, and to breathe clean air. — Sally Davis, Albuquerque
Dan Lewis’s attack on the Air Quality Board is outrageous. The Board’s members are highly qualified professionals with experience in public health, environmental policy, economic development, and engineering. His attack on community members who are working to prevent and abate air pollution is scurrilous. The mayor’s vetoes must be upheld. — Karen Meyers Albuquerque
The American Lung Association rated Albuquerque F for High Ozone and D for Particle Pollution in 2023 air survey. It makes complete sense to have environmental advocates on the Air Board. Dismissing them as extremists is just wrong. Are “job creators” more important than the air New Mexicans breathe? — Mary Lance Corrales