SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech faculty member Dr. Benjamin Duval was sworn in as a member of the N.M. Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) during the 2020 Legislative Session in Santa Fe.

The EIB consist of seven members appointed by the governor.  The Board is the state control agency for such areas as food protection, capacity development of water supply (per the federal Safe Drinking Water Act), solid waste, liquid waste, hazardous waste, air quality control, radiation control, and occupational health and safety.

Pictured at right: Dr. Benjamin Duval, New Mexico Tech Biology, after confirmation to New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board today at the State Capitol. Also pictured are Mikell Coleman (Duval’s wife), their son, Gustav Coleman-Duval, Senator Gabriel Ramos, and NMT President Stephen Wells.

The Board also deals with nuisance abatement, swimming pools, the health of public buildings, and petroleum storage.

Duval said he’s looking forward to serving on the board and helping decision-makers make informed decisions. He said he hopes he can bring a different perspective to the board, but also that he’s expects to learn about environmental issues from fellow board members with different backgrounds.

“I’m the only academic scientist on the board,” Duval said. “When dealing with environmental issues, I think it’s important to have a scientist with a seat at the table.”

Duval said he is pleased to represent New Mexico Tech at the state level as well.

“Personally, I think this appointment means that we have respect as the premier science institution in the state at the university level,” he said. “People respect the work we are doing and that we do it in a fair-handed and non-partisan way.”

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