Heat rule update: comment period extended and the odd political coalition supporting it

In a bit of good news the New Mexico Environment Department’s proposed “Heat Rule” for which we commented (in opposition) and encouraged the public to do the same, the Department has extended the comment period to July 17 due to the high level of public comment. You can (and should) provide comment at either link above.

At this time it is worth taking a closer look at the data used to support this proposal as well as the coalition pushing the proposal and their motivations. Simply put, there has been zero data produced in support of specifics contained in the “Heat Rule.” Why should employees working in certain conditions take that exact amount of time off? What are the specific benefits? What is the exact problem being addressed? None of that information is clearly provided.

In fact, what is notable about the groups supporting this rule is that the construction and trades groups are NOT the primary advocates for strictly regulating heat exposure. Actually, the main spokesperson appears to be Conservation Voters New Mexico which advocates on climate change. Interestingly, both major teacher unions are involved as well and former teacher union lobbyist (NEA) Charles Goodmacher is a policy advisor as well.

For the environmental groups it appears that the “Heat Rule” is simply a way to advance the “climate change” agenda under a different guise. And, while teachers unions seem like an odd fit, they ARE radical leftists who have an iron clad lock on the State’s failed education system AND there HAVE been issues with cooling units at some schools in recent years. Is that the motivation?

The Heat rule seems to be just an opportunity to further impose costs on New Mexico businesses for ideological reasons, not due to any specific benefit to the environmental or teacher union groups themselves. An additional and highly questionable group supporting the rule appears to be various “progressive” governed cities. Check out the logo below from Healthy Climate NM website: