By KRWG News
New Mexico – SANTA FE, N.M. (KRWG) A hearing over whether New Mexico should uphold regulations for curbing greenhouse gas emissions has wrapped up after a week and a half of testimony and public comment.
At stake is a plan by the group New Energy Economy that was adopted last year by state regulators. It calls for large polluters such as coal-fired power plants and refineries to reduce carbon emissions by 3 percent per year from 2010 levels starting in 2013.
Utilities and other industry groups petitioned the Environmental Improvement Board to overturn the plan along with the state's regional cap-and-trade program.
The board isn't expected to make a decision until March.
Steve Michel of Western Resource Advocates urged the board during closing arguments Wednesday to set politics aside and make a ruling based on their best judgment.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG