PRC Approves Settlement Requiring PNM To Provide $115 Million In Credits To Customers To Reflect ETA Bond Savings
SIERRA CLUB News:
The Public Regulation Commission Thursday approved a settlement between multiple environmental and consumer groups and the PNM agreed to deliver $115 million back to PNM customers in a settlement agreement with advocacy groups.
These savings come from expected savings from Energy Transition Act bonds. The bonds were meant to refinance PNM’s previous investments in the plant that customers would otherwise still have to pay off after the plant was no longer producing electricity.
The commission had approved PNM’s abandonment and power-replacement plans in 2020 with Read More
Senators Luján And Menendez Urge FCC & EPA To Address Public Health Threats Posed By Toxic Lead Cables
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent letters to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on recent media reports on the potential public health threat of lead-sheathed telecommunications cables. The 18-month long investigation by the Wall Street Journal found that a nationwide network of lead-sheathed cables—remnants of legacy telecom networks—are potentially leaching dangerous levels of toxic lead into Read More
National Hispanic Cultural Center Names Zack Quintero Permanent Executive Director
New National Hispanic Cultural Center Executive Director Zack Quintero with renowned labor activist Dolores Huerta. Courtesy/NHCC
NMDCA News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) announced today that Zack Quintero will serve as permanent executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in Albuquerque.
Having vetted Quintero as interim executive director since March of 2023, the Board of Directors of NHCC voted to recommend him to NMDCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego as the candidate for the Center’s top leadership role. Secretary Read More
Governor Sends $57 Million To Support Law Enforcement Recruitment Efforts Across New Mexico
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
From the Office of the Governor:
Funding supports 434 jobs in law enforcement agencies statewide
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that the state will allocate $57 million from two funds for law enforcement agencies to bolster recruitment and strengthen departments.
This money is on top of the $50 million allocated in 2022 supporting the governor’s initiatives to broaden law enforcement capacity by funding recruitment or retention of law enforcement personnel.
“I have been clear since day one – getting more officers in New Mexico communities Read More
Heinrich, Luján Announce Selection Of Southwest Microchip Research And Development Program
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced Wednesday that the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub has been selected to be funded through the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Microelectronics Commons program.
The announcement marks the first official allocation of funding through the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation championed by the senators.
The DOD Microelectronics Commons program was created to address a critical gap in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and innovation by creating direct pathways for U.S.-based
Video: Council Chair Denise Derkacs Highlights Meeting
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs shares highlights from Tuesday’s work session during a visit Wednesday to the Los Alamos Daily Post. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
NNSA Launches Development Of Enterprise Blueprint
NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has launched an effort to develop an Enterprise Blueprint.
The Blueprint will define NNSA’s integrated priorities for the capabilities to achieve needed capacity, resilience and responsiveness across the distributed enterprise.
NNSA’s mission is essential to the security of the United States and its partners and allies, and the Nuclear Security Enterprise must keep pace with the dynamic global environment. Although NNSA has started modernizing the Enterprise, a clear Read More
New Mexico EDD Expands Science And Technology Office
EDD Deputy Secretary Jon Clark
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced Tuesday, the expansion of the science and technology office.
The newly expanded Office of Strategy, Science & Technology (OSST), previously the Office of Science & Technology, will continue to focus and expand support for innovation and commercialization of science and technology while also incorporating wider strategic initiatives, including entrepreneurship support and federal funding opportunities.
“With support from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Highlights Taiwan-New Mexico Economic Partnership At U.S. Business Day In Taipei
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
TAIPEI, Taiwan — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday delivered remarks to the business community of Taiwan.
The governor made the remarks during U.S. Business Day, an annual gathering of U.S. and Taiwanese officials, to recognize the strong economic partnership between New Mexico and Taiwan that continues to yield positive results for both parties.
“Taiwan businesses already have a footprint in New Mexico, and I am looking forward to adding more to that list in the days, months, and years to come,” Gov. Lujan Grisham Read More
Los Alamos County Council Proclaims Sept. 15 Through Oct. 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Bernstein: Response To Mr. Skolnik
By CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN
Los Alamos School Board Member
Editor’s note: Christine Bernstein is running for re-election in District 3.
“…Lauren’s main opponent in this race, Christine Bernstein, has not served the community well as a member of the School Board. The main role of the School Board is to hire a superintendent. Yet, the School Board of which Ms. Bernstein is a part failed at this task, in a manner that cost us educationally and financially. In addition, it appears that Ms. Bernstein participated in the near silence of the School Board on matters related to COVID and chronic absenteeism, Read More
New Mexico State Rep. Stefani Lord Formalizes Impeachment Process Of Governor, Calls For Extraordinary Session
Rep. Stefani Lord (Bernalillo & Torrance Counties)
STATE News:
SANDIA PARK – New Mexico State Rep. Stefani Lord (R-NM-22) has formalized the impeachment process calling for an extraordinary session to hold Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham accountable for violating her oath of office.
Rep. Lord has begun petitioning lawmakers in New Mexico for an extraordinary session to begin impeachment hearings “after the Governor’s emergency health order outlawed the Second Amendment”.
Lord has been a vocal critic of this emergency order and continues to bring national media attention to the Governor’s Read More
New Mexico Governor Announces New Intelligent Manufacturing Partnership With Hota Group
From the Office of the Governor:
TAIPEI, Taiwan — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Hota Industrial Manufacturing Chairman David Shen announced Wednesday a final agreement to expand business for the major auto parts supplier into New Mexico.
Taiwan-based Hota Industrial Manufacturing, a producer of automotive gears for North American and European clients, including Tesla, signed an agreement for a 30-acre parcel in the Westpark Industrial Park in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, with construction expected to begin in 2024. The company plans to hire 350 employees and invest $99 million Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich Statement On Today Ahead Of Federal Reserve’s Decision Whether To Raise Interest Rates
Sen. Martin Heinrich
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement today ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on whether to raise federal interest rates.
“Over the past two years, we have had record job growth, seen inflation fall, and passed federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to help lower costs. This has helped stabilize our economy, but we can’t stop working for better. Recent economic turbulence and looming funding cliffs continue to make American families Read More
County Environmental Sustainability Board Meets Thursday
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave. and virtually on Zoom.
This meeting is open to the public.
Find the agenda to this meeting here.
Los Alamos County Launches Community Survey To Inform Climate Action Plan
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County’s Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule invites individuals who live or work in Los Alamos County to visit www.lacnm.com/CAPSurvey to participate in a community survey launched today.
Survey results will be used to inform the first-ever Climate Action Plan, an important step in shaping the county’s commitment to reduce environmental impacts and prepare for a more sustainable and resilient future. The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Gurule explains that the survey is anonymous, although if survey takers choose, they may provide a name Read More
JEC Clean Energy Workforce Hearing Wednesday Sept. 20
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Wednesday, Sept. 20, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), will hold a hearing titled “Growing the Economy of the Future: Job Training for the Clean Energy Transition” to explore clean energy workforce development at 2:15 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, Room 216, Hart Senate Office Building.
Witnesses will testify on ways to support and diversify the rapidly growing clean energy workforce, the need for investment in educational and apprenticeship pathways to clean energy jobs, and maintaining American Read More
Banned Books Week: ‘Let Freedom Read!’ Oct. 1-7, 2023
AFT New Mexico President Whitney Holland. Courtesy/AFT NM
Whitney Holland
President
AFT New Mexico
Every year, groups who support access to reading designate an entire week of advocacy, information, and education around Banned Books. Launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries, Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, educators and readers of all types — in shared support of the Read More
Congress Passes Rep. Leger Fernández Bill To Rename Gallup Veterans Clinic For Staff Sergeant Hiroshi Miyamura
Corporal Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congress passed S. 475, which is the Senate version of legislation that U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández introduced in the House. This legislation will rename the Gallup Veterans Affairs clinic for the late Corporal Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, who died Nov. 29, 2022.
Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan led the companion bill in the Senate. S. 475 previously passed the Senate and now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“The call of service is one that a Read More
County Council To Hold Work Session Tuesday Sept. 19
