Energy

DOE Awards Contract For Continuous Monitoring, Tracking Of Active Shipments Of Radioactive Materials & Waste

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DOE News:

CINCINNATI — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to CCS-Ivory Cloud Joint Venture, LLC (CCS-IC JV, LLC) with a maximum value of $15 million over five years.

The contract is for DOE Transportation Tracking and Communications System (TRANSCOM) Technical Support Services, running July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029.

The primary purpose of this contract is to provide technical support services to the DOE TRANSCOM program focused on the continuous monitoring, tracking and communication with active shipments of radioactive Read More

DOE: $2.7B To Boost Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain

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DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In support of President Biden’s efforts to strengthen America’s energy security and create new good-paying jobs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) to purchase low-enriched uranium (LEU) from domestic sources.

Today’s action will help spur the safe and responsible build-out of uranium enrichment capacity in the United States, promote diversity in the market, and provide a reliable supply of commercial nuclear fuel to support the energy security and resilience of the American people and domestic industries, free Read More

Gibson: Electric Rates – Past, Present And Future

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By ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Board of Public Utilities

The electricity commodity rate (cost per kilowatt-hour) for retail Los Alamos customers was increased 9% last October. It will increase another 9% this July. These hikes seem steep, but are the first since February 2015.

In that time, the most familiar measure of inflation, the consumer price index (CPI), has increased about 34%. Adjusted for inflation, our electric rate will have gone DOWN 16% in that time.

Looking even further back, our electric rates have increased less than inflation at least since 1998.

Electric bills also include a service Read More

Los Alamos Utilities Board To Consider Rate Increase

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will discuss a potential natural gas rate increase to be effective Oct. 1, 2024, at its next meeting. An additional three public meetings, including two public hearings, for changes to the existing natural gas rates are planned.

The initial discussion will take place at the BPU work session on Wednesday, June 5. The BPU will not take any action on rate changes at this meeting. The first public hearing is scheduled for the June 26 BPU meeting. If the BPU approves a proposed rate ordinance at that time, it will be introduced to the Los Alamos Read More

LAHS Junior Jane Mocko Awarded 2024 Rensselaer Medal

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LAHS Junior Jane Mocko receives the Rensselaer medal for 2024 as well as a Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit. Celebrating with her are Physics Teacher Debbie Grothaus, Chemistry Teacher Michela Ombelli, Principal Renee Dunwoody,  Math Teacher Ethan Honnell, Biology Teacher Stephanie Mitchell and Math Teacher Stephanie Abney. Courtesy/LAPS

LAHS Principal Renee Dunwoody presents the Rensselaer award to junior Jane Mocko for her accomplishments in math and science. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Los Alamos High School Junior Jane Mocko has been selected to receive the 2024 Read More

Heinrich Welcomes Action To Bolster America’s Power Grid

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the co-founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, is welcoming the White House’s announcement of a Federal-State Initiative to Bolster America’s Power Grid to accelerate improvements to the electric transmission and distribution network, which are critical to meeting the country’s needs for affordable, clean, reliable, and resilient power. 

“A strong electric grid and reliable access to power are critical for every aspect of our lives. Read More

Heinrich Presses Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm On Housing Shortages In Los Alamos, Questions Proposal To Build Transmission Line Through Caja Del Rio, Emphasizes Need To Invest In American-Made Grid Components, Highlights New Mexico’s Potential To Lead In Geothermal

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VIDEO: Heinrich questions Secretary Granholm at Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to review the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) pressed Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Jill Hruby on a number Read More

United States And European Commission Make Joint Statement On Enhancing Radioactive Source Security

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NNSA’s Jeffrey Chamberlin

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the European Commission (EC) made a Joint Statement on Enhancing Radioactive Source Security this week at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) International Conference on Nuclear Security.

This Joint Statement highlights the importance of the security of radioactive sources, the need to strengthen security to prevent the use of these materials in acts of terrorism, and builds upon existing U.S. and European Union (EU) Read More

Op-Ed: The Ongoing Advantages To Rooftop Solar In Los Alamos County

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By CONNOR DERMODY
connor@cleanearthconsultants.com

For a bit over a month, there’s been a lull, a lapse to the enthusiasm and interest folks in Los Alamos County have with the service that I provide. I work as a residential photovoltaic (PV) consultant, and the majority of my client base is within the County. The reason for the inactivity or radio silence stems from last week’s motion by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at their May 15 meeting surrounding the changes to Interconnection Rule E-5, specifically the rate at which homes with rooftop solar (RTS) will be credited for energy sent out Read More

Verus® Research Announces $2.5 Million Science And Technology Contract To Support Defense Department’s Test Resource Management Center

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VERUS RESEARCH News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Verus® Research, a New Mexico-based team of scientists and engineers specializing in advanced research and development, announces the award of a $2.5 million science and technology contract with the Defense Department’s Test Resource Management Center (TRMC).

The 18-month agreement will support TRMC’s need for high-power microwave (HPM) attack instrumentation on medium unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

“Verus Research is honored to receive a new HPM contract that continues our research and development work with the Defense Department and leverages Read More