New Mexico Energy Conservation Codes

Location: Statewide (outside of Albuquerque)

Opposing Parties:

Initiation Date: June 2011

Status: On-going

Clients/Partners: Southwest Energy Efficiency Project; Sundancer Creations, LLC; e-solved, Inc.; Environment New Mexico; the Sierra Club and several individuals

Attorneys: Douglas Meiklejohn

Issues:

We and our clients oppose the illegal repeal of energy-efficient building codes, which were adopted by the State of New Mexico in 2010.

The codes were developed during an 18 month process that brought together public-interest groups with the construction industry, green builders, and regulators.  Their combined effort resulted in some of the strongest codes in the nation, requiring that new construction be 20% more energy-efficient than under the previous code.

Ignoring requirements governing public hearings, the Construction Industries Commission (made up of Gov. Martinez appointees) repealed the codes in June, 2011.  They replaced them with weaker standards.  Representing our clients, NMELC filed a lawsuit against the Commission in state appellate court in July 2011.

Latest News:

01/19/2012 - NMELC filed its Brief in Chief for its clients against the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission and the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.

07/11/2011 - NMELC files notices of appeal.

Case Files:

01/19/2012 - Brief in Chief.

07/11/2011 - Notices of Appeal.