New Mexico has a new state clean car rule. So why does Albuquerque/Bernalillo County have its own proposed regulation?

Earlier this month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the state would add aggressive emissions restrictions for new cars sold in the state.

Now, the program that implements and enforces air regulations in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County has called on the joint Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board to adopt its own clean car regulations.

The rules, which are based on a California ordinance that sets annual targets for zero-emission car sales for automakers, are nearly identical.

But why are they separate? It’s a jurisdictional jigsaw puzzle .

There are two air quality jurisdictions in the state: one in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, which has its rules set by the joint air quality board, and the other, which includes the rest of the state and is overseen by the New Mexico Environment Department.

Although the new clean car regulations are a statewide action, both NMED and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Joint Air Quality Program have to call on their respective regulatory agencies to adopt the measure — the Air Quality Control Board and the state Environmental Improvement Board.

The city and county are asking for the AQCB to put the clean car petition on its agenda and hold a joint hearing with the EIB to discuss adopting the same proposed rules together.

“Considering the City’s and State’s proposed rules together will ensure the standards are consistent statewide in accordance with federal requirements,” reads a news release from the city Environmental Health Department.

The standards, if adopted, would apply to all car models 2027 or later. By 2031, the state would require 82% of all new vehicles to be zero-emission. Used vehicle purchases would not be included.

“Transportation is one of our largest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions in Albuquerque and we’re using all our tools to reduce those levels,” Environmental Health Director Angel Martinez Jr. said in a release. “This updated rule will help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce air pollution, and improve the health of all our residents.”