Meetings canceled as New Mexico agency stretches resources
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A panel that oversees water quality and permitting issues across New Mexico was forced to cancel its scheduled meeting Tuesday, marking the second time in as many months that the state Environment Department finds itself without the staff needed to organize meetings for the boards and commissions under its umbrella.
It could be September before the Water Quality Control Commission meets again, putting on hold decisions about everything from lower interest rates for financing rural water projects to enforcement actions against polluters.
The staffing shortage speaks to a larger problem in New Mexico and nearly 20 other states, where agencies in charge of environmental regulation have seen their budgets fail to keep pace with demands. A recent report from the nonprofit Environmental Council of the States shows some states saw significant budgetary increases from fiscal years 2016-2019, but New Mexico is among those that continue to lag behind.
The state Environment Department over a four-year period marked a decrease of almost 10% in federal funding along with a nearly 15% reduction in state general funds. The amount collected from fees — which accounts for more than three-fifths of the agency's budget — was down by more than 3%.
New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney said the agency hasn't been able to raise its fees in over 10 years for most of its programs, adding to the crunch of less federal and state funding while permitting and enforcement responsibilities are growing.
“We’re really in a deep hole. We’re trying to figure out how do we get out of that hole,” he told The Associated Press during an interview.
The agency was in line for a significant increase for this fiscal year following a legislative session in which lawmakers hammered out an optimistic budget. Then the coronavirus pandemic took hold amid sinking oil prices because of a global price war and economic uncertainty, forcing state officials to revise their spending plan and take money from the Environment Department and other state agencies.
The agency now has approval to fill vacancies that will allow for meetings to resume, but officials say it could be the end of the year before the water commission can catch up. The panel also is scheduled next year to re-evaluate water quality standards for numerous streams around the state, a process that requires lengthy meetings and public hearings.
The canceled agendas for July and August included consideration of water quality planning documents needed as part of federal grant requirements, pollution abatement plans and enforcement settlements.
A proposal to reduce interest rates for loans on water and wastewater facilities around the state was among the most important items. Jennifer Pruett, chair of the commission and a top agency official, said it was heartbreaking to have to cancel the meetings since an estimated 400 communities could benefit from lower interest rates.
“That really hurts our rural communities. They’re waiting for the interest rate to come down so they can borrow money and upgrade or repair their facilities," she said Tuesday.
The administrative bottleneck also could delay high-profile rule making cases pending before the agency. Kenney pointed to the adoption of clean car standards, new methane regulations and rules that would limit the use of wastewater produced during oil and gas operations outside the industry.
Kenney said there are regular conversations about how the agency can “work smarter.” Closing some field offices so more workers can be hired is among the considerations as he looks for ways to stretch resources.
“There’s nothing off the table, and there shouldn’t be anything off the table, except the retention of our people,” he said.