Air Quality Bureau

Ozone Attainment Initiative Bulletin

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New Mexico Environment Department begins initial stakeholder process for the Ozone Attainment Initiative (OAI).

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Air Quality Bureau (AQB) is beginning the initial public outreach efforts for the New Mexico Ozone Attainment Initiative (OAI). The OAI is NMED’s response to several areas in the State nearing the 2015 8-hr Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone (O₃)​.

Outreach events are planned for:

Farmington, September 9, 2019, 5:30-7:30 PM, Merrion Room A&B San Juan College School of Energy, 5301 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402

Santa Fe, September 12, 2019, 1:30-3:30 PM, Santa Fe Public Library Southside Branch, 6599 Jaguar Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87507

Las Cruces, September 25, 2019, 9:30-11:30 AM, Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Roadrunner Room, 200 E Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001

Carlsbad, September 26, 2019, 5:30-7:30 PM, Carlsbad Museum & Art Center, 418 W Fox St., Carlsbad, NM 88220

Several air quality monitors that fall under the jurisdiction of NMED show that ozone concentrations are approaching the health-based 2015 ozone standard. Pursuant to state law, NMED must develop a plan to address elevated levels of ozone when air quality is within 95% of a O₃ NAAQS (Air Quality Control Act, 74-2-5.3 NMSA 1978). The OAI will guide NMED’s efforts to develop a plan to improve air quality in these areas. In addition, the OAI aims to protect the attainment/unclassifiable status of all areas in the state and avoid rigorous regulatory requirements resulting from a nonattainment designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The following counties contain monitors that are reading within 95% of the ozone standard:

• San Juan County (Navajo Lake Monitor);
• Rio Arriba County (Coyote Monitor);
• Sandoval County (Bernalillo Monitor);
• Valencia County (Los Lunas Monitor);
• Eddy County (Carlsbad Monitor);
• Lea County (Hobbs Jefferson Monitor);
• Doña Ana County (La Union, Chaparral, Desert View and Santa Teresa Monitors).

Please note that seating may be limited at some of these locations, and NMED may find an alternative venue, if necessary. Notification of the new locations will be provided in advance of the meeting. If you plan to attend, please notify Robert Spillers. This will assist in our efforts to ensure sufficient meeting space.  

To stay informed of future meetings and new information, please subscribe to the Ozone Attainment Initiative at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NMED/subscriber/new.

For additional information concerning this bulletin, please contact Robert Spillers, 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 505-476-4324, robert.spillers@state.nm.us.

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, or if you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact: Kristine Yurdin, Non-Discrimination Coordinator, NMED, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 827-2855, nd.coordinator@state.nm.us. You may also visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/non-employee-discrimination-complaint-page/ to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

NMED Air Quality Bureau

525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1

Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505-1816

(505) 476-4300