A member of New Mexico's Environmental Improvement Board also works as an attorney for a law firm that represents companies in the oil industry, according to a statement to the state's Court of Appeals filed by the New Mexico Environmental Law Center.---
Elizabeth Ryan, appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez to the EIB, is an attorney at Beatty & Wozniak, according to the court filing.
"That's just a classic," says Bruce Frederick, attorney at the Law Center. "You can't do that."
The Law Center filed the statement on behalf of New Energy Economy. It's fighting the EIB's repeal of a rule that requires coal-fired utilities and refineries to reduce carbon emissions.
"While she was engaged in deliberations on the fate of Rule 100 as a member of the EIB, she was also applying for a position at the law firm Beatty & Wozniak," says the filing. "...Ms. Ryan took a position with this law firm and then voted to repeal Rule 100."
Ryan's vote also earned her a pat on the back from her new employer, according to the court filing.
"As a member of the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB), appointed by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Beatty & Wozniak's Elizabeth A. Ryan voted to repeal emission rules that would have led to higher energy costs for New Mexico citizens while making a minimal impact on the state's air quality."
Jim Winchester, spokesman for the New Mexico Environment Department, would not comment. Neither would Gary Younger, shareholder at Beatty & Wozniak. Ryan did not immediately return a call. We'll update you if any of them get in touch with SFR.
But Frederick remained outspoken about the alleged conflict of interest.
"This is the climate we're in now," he says. "There's just no separation between industry and government."
Update: A previous version of this blog post incorrectly stated Beatty & Wozniak represents the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. "She or her firm do not represent the association," says Wally Drangmeister, spokesman for NMOGA, referring to Ryan. "That's just not factual."
