SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has changed the way it handles public comments following complaints that New Mexicans’ names were used without their knowledge during a public hearing process involving a proposed air quality permit.
Through the new system, anyone who submits a comment through the NMED online public comment portal using an email address will receive an automated message confirming the department’s receipt of the comment. The recipient can then confirm that they submitted and authorized the comment, or have the option to notify NMED if they did not.
The update to this system follows concerns related to the air quality permit application for Yucca Growth Infrastructure, LLC, known as Project Jupiter. During the public hearing determination process for the application, reports were made to NMED that comments had been submitted using the names of people who said they had not authorized them. Public officials were among the individuals who were identified in these complaints.
NMED officials said that about 42 of over 17,500 comments submitted through the public comment portal regarding the Project Jupiter permit were reported as potentially fraudulent.
The department said that the new confirmation system is being instituted with the intention of identifying fraudulent submissions more easily and improving public confidence in the public comments process. This new system aims to also keep the public comment process accessible to those who want to participate in environmental decisions.
To assist with an investigation into this possible fraudulent use of the public comment process, NMED is working with the New Mexico Department of Justice, providing information from the public comment portal related to the Project Jupiter permit.
This investigation could determine whether individuals or organizations improperly submitted comments using other people’s names. NMED said it may pursue civil or criminal action depending on the findings.
The change in the public comment system does not change the opportunity for New Mexicans to submit comments on environmental matters. NMED officials say that it is intended to improve the verification process of a system that depends on public participation and trust.
Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.
