A Look at the New E.I.B. Board

Rob Nikolewski

Capitol Report New Mexico - Meet the new board; NOT the same as the old board. The state’s Environmental Improvement Board has become one of the most politically-charged agencies in New Mexico government. The previous board members were appointed during the term of Gov. Bill Richardson. Conservationists praised them for passing – in the final two months of the Richardson administration – measures to cap greenhouse gas emissions. But incoming Republican Gov. Susana Martinez – a vocal critic of what she calls “cap and tax” — summarily fired all seven members, saying ”the majority of EIB members have made it clear that they are more interested in advancing political ideology than implementing common-sense policies that balance economic growth with responsible stewardship in New Mexico.” In the past few days, Gov. Martinez has named her choices for a newly-constituted board she says will balance the interests of New Mexico’s energy sector with environmental concerns. Opponents counter by saying the new board is stacked with industry lackeys. Regardless, the new members are expected to try to roll back the measures the previous EIB instituted. Yet a comparison of the EIB’s new members with its old members turns up some interesting contrasts. Read full story:

A Look at the New E.I.B. Board