NMED News:The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is proposing to repeal 20.2.20NMAC – Lime Manufacturing Plants – Particulate Matter.
There are no lime manufacturing plants in New Mexico, and only one hydrator, the Lhoist NA lime hydrating plant in Belen in Valencia County.
This rule regulates PM, which encompasses: Total Suspended Particulate matter (TSP); PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers); and PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers). When this rule was adopted on November 15, 1978, it contained the same particulate matter (PM) emission standards for lime manufacturing plants as those contained in the federal Standards of Performance for Lime Manufacturing Plants (NSPS Subpart HH). Since that time, NSPS Subpart HH has changed substantively, while the State rule has not. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for TSP were repealed in 1987 and replaced with PM10 and PM2.5 NAAQS.
The repeal of 20.2.20 NMAC will not interfere with the attainment or maintenance of any applicable NAAQS. All counties are well below the PM2.5 NAAQS, and except for a portion of Anthony, NM (Doña Ana County), are below the PM10 NAAQS. Exceedances in Doña Ana County are due to windblown dust, and are not due to lime manufacturing or lime hydrators regulated by 20.2.20 NMAC. Existing federal and state rules are sufficient to protect public health and the environment.
The full text of the Air Quality Bureau’s (Bureau) proposed regulation repeal and documents related to the proposed repeal of 20.2.20 NMAC are available for download at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/proposed-regs/, or in hard copy at the Bureau’s main office, 525 Camino de los Marquez, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505. Contact Neal Butt at 505.476.4317 or neal.butt@state.nm.us if you have questions or comments concerning the proposed repeal.
Anyone interested in having the Bureau host a Public Information Meeting on the proposed repeal of 20.2.20 NMAC, should contact Neal Butt at 505.476.4317 or neal.butt@state.nm.us by Aug. 22, 2018. The Bureau is offering to conduct a public meeting, during the early evening in Belen. The meeting would begin with a short presentation, followed by a question and answer period. Arrangements for interpretation during the meeting will be available upon request in advance of the meeting. In addition, persons with disabilities can request additional services and arrangements necessary for participation in the meeting.
NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
Direct questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non- discrimination programs, policies or procedures to nd.coordinator@state.nm.us.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/non-employee-discrimination-complaint-page/ to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.
