Op-Ed: Present Scale Of Electrification Unprecedented
By RICK NEBEL
Los Alamos
This letter is a comment on two of the op-ed pieces that appeared in last week’s Los Alamos Daily Post: Robert Gibson’s article (link) and Paul Gessing’s article (link). Mr. Gibson pointed out that electrification is nothing new. However, the present scale of it is unprecedented. Mr. Gessing pointed this out in his article. He congratulated the governor for getting commitments to bring 3 new AI data centers to New Mexico.
The interesting part is that just 1 of those data centers consumes about 7 GW. I don’t have firm numbers on this, but the present total consumption Read More
Shin: Thank You Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann
By LISA SHIN
Los Alamos Family Eyecare PC
Dear Councilor Herrmann:
I am extremely grateful that you have requested a discussion about the option of creating a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Commission for the upcoming Jan. 13, 2026, meeting. Currently, the County Council serves as the decision making governing body having authority over the two MRAs in Los Alamos – White Rock and Los Alamos Downtown East.
As you know, I have been a strong advocate for Los Alamos following NM State Statutes governing MRAs and neighboring communities to form a citizen-led MRA Commission.
As in Counties Read More
Hot Showers On Cold Days Can Feel So Nice … But…
COUNTY News:
Hot showers on cold days can feel so nice … but… time slips away, and that quick-shower intention becomes a 20…30…40…minute ordeal.
Low-flow shower heads have come a long way from their trickling past.
Some work so well it seems like you could wash an elephant!
The pressure feels great at 1.5 gallons per minute.
And at that pressure, you can enjoy that 20-minute shower and still use less water than a standard bath (40 gallons). Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Meet Tuesday Jan. 13
Los Alamos County Councilors from left, David Reagor, Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton, Melenee Hand, Chair Randall Ryti, Suzie Havemann and Theresa Cull. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Council Regular and Work Sessions are held at 6 p.m. Check the agenda for the location. A Zoom option is offered for remote participation (Zoom Link).
View Tuesday’s agenda at lacnm.com/agenda and use the eComments tool to provide your public comment.
Highlights of the meeting include:
- 2025 Regional Development Corporation (RDC) Annual Report Briefing from Executive Director Pat Vanderpool
Nuclear Shootout College Hockey Tournament Begins Friday
The Nuclear Shootout College Hockey Tournament begins Friday night. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has joined forces with the University of New Mexico and the Los Alamos Hockey Association to bring College Weekend back to the Los Alamos County Ice Rink.
College teams taking part in this year’s three-day Tournament:
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of New Mexico (UNM
- North Ridge (CSUN)
- Michigan State University (MSU)
Tournament Schedule Jan 2026:
- To be determined
When
- Friday, Jan. 16, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 17, 12-9:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 18,
Video: Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann Discusses Meeting
Newly appointed Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann discusses Tuesday’s council meeting during her visit on Wednesday to the Los Alamos Daily Post newsroom. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Hold Work Session Jan. 13
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will host a work session Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
This meeting is in person and open to the public; however, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994
Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 346 248 7799 or + 1 346 248 7799 or + +1 669 444 9171 US or + 1 719 359 4580 or +1 720 707 2699
Webinar ID: 854 4861 9994
The agenda Read More
Los Alamos County Council Unanimously Elects Randall Ryti Chair And Ryn Herrmann Vice Chair For 2026 Term
Newly elected 2026 Council Chair Randall Ryti
Staff Report
Each January Los Alamos County Council elects its new leadership from among its members. At Tuesday’s meeting, Council unanimously elected Randall Ryti to serve as chair and Ryn Hermann as vice chair for the 2026 term.
Voters first elected Ryti to serve on the County Council in the November 2018 General Election. He was re-elected to a second term in November 2022, which ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
Ryti has lived in Los Alamos since 1992. He came to start a small business, Neptune and Company, with four other scientists. In addition to helping Read More
New Year Message From UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw
UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw. Courtesy/UNM-LA
By MIKE HOLTZCLAW
Chancellor
UNM-Los Alamos
As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in our UNM-Los Alamos community. I hope your holiday season was restful and joyful, filled with meaningful time spent with family, friends and those who bring light into your life. The start of a new year always invites reflection, and I am grateful for the continued support for our local community college.
In December, many community members joined us in celebrating the 45th anniversary of UNM-LA — a milestone that honors Read More
New Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Expresses Enthusiasm For LAFD And Community
Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Working for more than 20 years at the Santa Fe Fire Department, Erik Litzenberg said he was always aware of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), but it wasn’t until he had a discussion with former Fire Chief Troy Hughes that the idea to apply for the fire chief position was planted.
Litzenberg said he talked with Hughes before he retired from LAFD about who Hughes thought could step into Read More
Gibson: Electrification Is Not New
BY ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities
Electrification is the conversion to electric power of devices or processes that previously used other forms of energy. Today, the term commonly refers to conversions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning hydrocarbon fuels. That is not the only motivation. It may not even be the biggest.
Americans have been electrifying since Edison’s first “grid” in the early 1880s. Electric lights replaced oil lamps and candles. Electric motors replaced muscle power. Electric refrigerators replaced ice boxes. The list is endless. Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools On Two-Hour Delay
From Superintendent Jennifer Guy:
Los Alamos Public Schools will be on a 2-hour delay today, Jan. 9, due to winter weather conditions.
This delay will give our crews time to make sure parking lots and sidewalks are clear and safe for staff and students.
Buses will arrive at their usual stops 2 hours late. School will begin 2 hours late. Please be safe in your travels and watch for possible ice on roadways and sidewalks.
Two-hour Delayed Start:
- Buses will arrive at bus stops two hours later than the usual pickup time.
School start times during a 2-hour delay:
- Elementary schools – 10:10 a.m.
County Manager Announces 10 AM Start For Non-essential County Government Services And Facilities
COUNTY News:
Due to inclement weather and icy conditions, Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent has ordered a 10 a.m. start for all nonessential county government services and facilities today, Jan. 9.
Some exceptions and additional information are as follows:
- Atomic City Transit: All services (fixed routes, ACT assist & ACT MyRide) will begin at approximately 7 a.m. For specific route information, visit www.atomiccitytransit.com, or check the ACTracker.
- Environmental Services: There will be no disruption to Friday’s refuse and recycle pickup routes. The crew will complete
County Environmental Services Closed For Employee Training And Facility Maintenance Jan. 14
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Environmental Services will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, for employee development, safety training, certification compliance, and facility maintenance.
This includes operations at the Eco Station and the White Rock Overlook Convenience Center. Trash, yard waste, and recycling collection services will also be suspended. Collection services for those impacted will be provided Thursday, Jan. 15.
Environmental Services will hold one training and certification day per quarter to ensure all employees remain compliant. The quarterly closure is Read More
Council Chair Cull Shares 2025 State Of County Letter
By THERESA CULL
Chair
Los Alamos County Council
The past year has been one of challenges and uncertainty due mostly to changes in the federal government. The County experienced higher costs, delays, and an as-yet unfulfilled FEMA funding commitment. Changes at our largest employer resulted in a significant decrease in gross receipts taxes. We also endured the longest government shutdown in history that resulted in federal employees being furloughed and activities at our local parks being closed or curtailed for over a month.
Despite these challenges, the County’s performance in 2025 Read More
Listening Session For North Mesa Picnic Grounds Renovations Jan. 14 At Fuller Lodge
COUNTY News:
The Next Phase of the North Mesa Picnic Grounds Master Plan is underway. Los Alamos County Community Services invites the community to a listening session 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Fuller Lodge, to gather input on proposed renovations to the North Mesa Picnic Grounds.
Community members may also participate via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87587269593.
The area’s facilities—including shelters, restrooms, and other park amenities—are outdated and have been highlighted in both the County’s Integrated Master Plan and ADA Transition Plan as needing upgrades Read More
RPLA Announces Pre-primary Convention For Jan. 24, 2026
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
Please mark your calendars for our Pre-Primary Convention at 9 a.m. Jan. 24, 2026, at Fuller Lodge. We will elect nine delegates from Los Alamos to participate in the Republican Party of New Mexico’s State Preprimary Convention. This will be held on March 7, 2026 in Ruidoso, and our delegates will have an opportunity to hear from and vote on statewide candidates for this year’s election.
As of today, we have one candidate for Congressional District 3, NM House Representative Martin Zamora, on our agenda for Jan. 24. All candidates Read More
January Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Canceled
COUNTY News:
The Jan. 8, 2026 Parks & Recreation Board meeting has been canceled due to lack of agenda items.
The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026. Read More
SFCC To Host Ask, Be Present, Connect – ABC Suicide Prevention Partner Class In Municipal Building Jan. 9
SFCC News:
If one of your New Year’s intentions is to lean into community, here is a great first step. You can make a difference by learning how to reach out to people who are struggling and strengthen community connections.
The first public class of the New Year is coming up at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 9 in the Los Alamos County Municipal Building, Room 330.
Ask, Be Present, Connect – ABC Suicide Prevention Partner Class is a 60 minute class that addresses how to prevent suicide. During the class you will learn about the common causes of suicidal behavior, the warning signs of suicide, and Read More
County Council To Meet In Regular Session Jan. 6
