Business interests fighting environmental review bill (NM-keep NM poor; require EIS before building)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | February 6, 2019 | Marie C. Baca

[CedarDave]

A bill that would require public agencies to conduct an environmental assessment for many development projects is wending its way through the Legislature, with strong opposition from business interests and support from environmental advocates.

House Bill 206, also known as the Environmental Review Act, would mandate that state agencies in charge of leasing, permitting or licensing development projects assess the environmental consequences of projects estimated to cost over $2 million.

A more detailed environmental impact statement is required if the agency determines the project “is likely to have a significant effect on the environment,” or if it is anticipated to cost $100 million or more.

When a project is proposed to occur within 15 miles of tribal land, the state agency must ask the tribal authority to participate in the analysis. The tribal authority can choose to limit its participation or decline to participate altogether. The state must also provide the authority with a notice that an environmental impact statement is being undertaken or has been completed.

But several prominent business groups have strongly objected to the measure on the grounds that the review process would delay development projects and discourage investors and new businesses.

In an email to its membership, the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry said the act would “bring to (a) halt new development in New Mexico.”

The Sandoval County Economic Alliance said the bill “could cripple the state’s economy,” and it called on members to contact legislators and voice their disapproval.

“It would deter investment, plain and simple,” Terri Cole, CEO and president of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “… This kind of unnecessary and onerous regulation would certainly make us less competitive; it would delay all kinds of new construction ...”

[CedarDave]

The radical left-wing enviro-nutters elected statewide last November are doing what they can to make a poor state even poorer.

Developer: I want to build a business to create jobs.
State Agency:Sorry, you can not do that unless we have prepared an EIS.
Dev: How long would that take?
SA:Well, you know it would be six to eight months to research and write plus additional time for public comment and review.
Dev: Ok, I think I'll go elsewhere, maybe Texas or Arizona to build my business.

[CedarDave]

With all the crap legislation coming out of Santa Fe, I'm keeping busy Pinging the list!

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[NTHockey]

That’s what people with money need to do - take their business elsewhere. And they need to be reminded to leave their politics there.

Conservative states need to put together a welcome packet - a free lesson at a gun range, Republican Party sign up, guide to local words, phrases and pronunciations, etc.

[noiseman]

By the way, your estimate of the time necessary to conduct an EIS is unfortunately way too optimistic. Just an EA will generally take a year and a half or so (minimum), and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. An EIS, by comparison, will take several years and millions of dollars. These figures will vary somewhat depending on the specifics of the proposed project, but I’ve been involved in a number of NEPA actions like these and they go on forever, cost a fortune, and rarely produce anything of any consequence.

A terrible waste of time and resources in most cases.

[fishtank]

[JWNM]

This is what was expected when the new governor appointed someone from the Obama’s administration EPA to head the NM Environmental Department. Then recently signed an executive order obligating NM to the terms of the Paris Accord. She will kill the state’s economy on the alter of political correctness.

[shanover]

New Mexico is in a race to become the New Jersey of the Southwest.

[txrefugee]

New Mexico’s biggest blessing is being attached to Texas. It is not a blessing for Texas.