Environment

New Mexico Delegation Welcomes BLM’s Draft Rule On Reducing Natural Gas Loss, Fighting Climate Change

by

SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday, that they welcome the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft rules for curbing natural gas waste.
 
New Mexico is the nation’s leading producer of oil from onshore federal land, and second for natural gas production. Yet too much of the state’s natural gas goes to waste through venting, flaring and leaks – causing dangerous methane pollution over the San
Read More

Earthjustice: Supreme Court Ruling A Win For Clean Energy

by

The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Courtesy/Earthjustice

EARTHJUSTICE News:

  • Decision helps reduce barriers to critical clean energy resource, reducing rates and enhancing grid reliability

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that ensures that a critically important clean energy resource will continue to provide key benefits in our wholesale energy markets.

It decided that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has the authority to remove barriers to “demand response” programs, which compensates consumers for reducing their Read More

Warmer Oceans Could Substantially Boost Destructive Power Of Future Superstorms

by

AGU News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hurricane Sandy became the second costliest hurricane to hit the United States when it blew ashore in October 2012, killing 159 people and inflicting $71 billion in damage.
 
Informally known as a “superstorm” after it made landfall, Sandy was so destructive largely because of its unusual size and track. After moving north from the tropical waters where it spawned, Sandy turned out to sea before hooking back west, growing in size and crashing head-on into the East Coast, gaining strength when it merged with an eastbound mid-latitude
Read More

LANL’s Plutonium Plans Move Forward, Draw Fire

by

Aerial view of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy photo
 
By ROGER SNODGRASS
Los Alamos Daily Post

The Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration continue to move toward establishing a long-term manufacturing capability for producing plutonium pits, the nuclear triggers for thermonuclear weapons, at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

LANL has long played a crucial leadership role in investigating and handling plutonium materials and maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. A Los Alamos site report by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Read More

Bandelier In Great Shape But Watch For Falling Trees

by

Trees in the Las Conchas Fire area are now breaking and falling, creating a hazard for hikers, skiers and snowshoers. Courtesy/NPS
 
BANDELIER News:
 
For those who enjoy getting out into the winter woods, this year Bandelier National Monument has the whole range of conditions available.
 
The ski trails and trail up Cerro Grande are in good shape for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while trails at lower elevations can provide opportunities for hikes through the snow. But almost everywhere in the eastern Jemez, winter travelers need to beware of a serious hazard –
Read More

State Police Handling Haz-Mat Incident In Ojo Caliente

by

NMSP News:

New Mexico State Police is handling a hazmat situation that occurred Friday in Ojo Caliente near US 285 milepost 348.

Two individuals complained of possible exposure and were treated by EMS.  No major exposure or injuries have been reported.

The scene is secure and US 285 from milepost 346 to milepost 353 is closed and will remain closed until the hazmat has been deemed safe.  Out of precaution, the perimeter has been moved back another half mile and is now set at one mile north and south of the affected warehouse.

State Police received an initial report of smoke emitting from Read More

DOE And New Mexico Finalize $74M In Settlement Agreements For Nuclear Waste Incidents of 2014

by

The New Mexico Environment Department, the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors signed two settlement agreements resolving the February 2014 incidents at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad and the associated activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  The agreements provide for a set of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) in both the Carlsbad and Los Alamos communities that enhance and improve New Mexico’s roads, water infrastructure and emergency response infrastructure. Courtesy/NMED

NMED News:

  • Agreements Include Schedules and Funding Parameters
Read More

PEEC Offers Snowshoe Hike To Cañada Bonita Saturday

by

Youth enjoying a snowshoe hike on a beautiful winter day. Courtesy/PEEC
 
PEEC News:

Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is offering a beginning snowshoe hike from Pajarito ski hill parking lot to Cañada Bonita 9-11 a.m. Saturday.

PEEC’s educator Siobhan Niklasson will lead participants along a showshoe trail maintained by the Southwest Nordic Ski Club and point out ecological features of the winter forest. This family-friendly hike will cover 3 miles and about 300 feet of elevation change.

 
This is a free hike. Advance registration is required. Participants can
Read More

Bandelier Reduces Frijoles Canyon Analysis Of Access Plan Impacts To Categorical Exclusion

by

Shuttle bus at Bandelier Visitor Center in Frijoles Canyon. Courtesy/NPS
 
BANDELIER News:
 
In 2012, the National Park Service (NPS) notified the public that an environmental assessment (EA) would be prepared to analyze the potential environmental effects of project alternatives to improve transportation conditions at Bandelier National Monument.  
 
This notice is to inform the public that the analysis of proposed action and associated impacts of the project has been reduced to a degree that an EA is no longer required. Alternatively, the NPS is preparing
Read More