Summary
- Lawmakers rejected proposed EV regulations during 2023 legislative session
- Governor promoted regulations without input from legislature
- Regulations are estimated to cost an extra $5,000 per home
- Local governments in New Mexico have raised concerns about costs of regulations
- Mayor, city officials, and contractors call for pushback and potential lawsuits against regulations in response to increased costs and restrictions on building developments
Article
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for broader use of electric vehicles in New Mexico and implemented new regulations to support this initiative. However, Rep. Jim Townsend and Sen. David Gallegos, both Republicans, argue that these regulations were pushed through without proper legislative input and will cost an average of $5,000 per home. They believe that these rules do not meet the needs of residents in southeast New Mexico, particularly in rural areas where electric vehicles may not be practical due to limited charging infrastructure and long distances between locations.
Local governments, including Carlsbad and Artesia, have raised concerns about the costs associated with the new regulations. Carlsbad contractor Trent Cornum believes that these requirements will make it harder to build in New Mexico and could stifle development in the region. Electrician Cory Bock expressed concern that the mandate could drive up the cost of new homes by 10 to 15 percent. Mayor Rick Lopez of Carlsbad hopes to work with local lawmakers to find ways to make building codes less expensive and more accessible for residents in the region.
Artesia City Councilor Wade Nelson acknowledges that city officials must enforce the new regulations to avoid losing their license to inspect buildings. However, he believes that people should have the choice to install charging capacity at their own discretion. Nelson expressed his dislike for mandates that strip away individual freedoms and believes that negotiations with Carlsbad may help in finding solutions to address the issue. Locals are calling for elected officials to push back against the regulations and seek alternatives that are more cost-effective and less restrictive.
Rep. Jim Townsend suggests that the only remaining recourse may be to file a lawsuit against the CID and the state of New Mexico to challenge the building codes. He believes that a consortium of local governments, including Carlsbad, Hobbs, Eddy, and Lea counties, may join forces to oppose the regulations through resolutions of opposition. While no lawsuits had been filed at the time of publication, Townsend emphasizes the importance of ensuring a fair process and considering the economic impact of the regulations on residents and businesses in the region.
Overall, the debate over the use of electric vehicles and the associated building codes in New Mexico highlights a clash between state mandates for sustainability and local concerns about costs and practicality. While Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham advocates for broader EV usage to prepare for future transportation trends, critics argue that the regulations are being forced through without proper legislative approval and may impose financial burdens on residents. The pushback from local officials and residents reflects a broader dialogue about balancing environmental initiatives with economic considerations and individual freedoms.
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