Environment

NMED Improvement Board Hosts Public Hearing

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NMED News:

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m., Dec. 18 in Room 322 at the State Capitol Building, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the matter of EIB 15-01(R), proposed amendments to 20.2.77 NMAC (New Source Performance Standards), 20.2.78 NMAC (Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) and 20.2.82 NMAC (Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards for Source Categories of Hazardous Air Pollutants).

The New Mexico Environment Department is petitioning the EIB to amend these rules Read More

W80-4: Sandia California Works On Nuclear Weapon Life Extension Program

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The W80-4 mechanical team at Sandia National Laboratories reviews the results of thermal analysis. From the top center, counterclockwise, are Ryan Johnson, Bryn Miyahara, Alvin Leung and Matt H. Jones. Photo by Randy Wong

SANDIA LABS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Sandia National Laboratories is doing what it hasn’t done in decades: extending the life of a nuclear warhead at the same time the U.S. Air Force develops a replacement cruise missile that will carry the weapon.

The goal of the W80-4 Life Extension Program (LEP) is refurbishing the W80 warhead with replacement components for aging technology Read More

Valles Caldera Plans Prescribed Burn Thursday

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VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS – The Valles Caldera National Preserve is planning to implement a prescribed burn project Thursday, Oct. 15. 

The prescribed burn will be within a 380-acre unit on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, north of N.M. 4 in the Banco Bonito area near mile marker 30. Because of the location and elevation, smoke from the burn may be visible from all directions coming into the Jemez Mountains area. The burn operations should be completed in 1-2 days and are not expected to necessitate road closures.

The pretreatment of the forest substantially reduced the amount of fuel Read More

Public Astronomy Dark Night Saturday Oct. 17

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PAJARITO ASTRONOMERS News:

The Pajarito Astronomers will hold a County-sponsored Dark Night starting at 6:30 p.m. (sunset) Saturday, Oct. 17 at Spirio Soccer Field in Overlook Park in white Rock.

Weather permitting, the public is invited to come out, wander among the telescopes, and star gaze. A crescent moon and the planets Saturn, Neptune and Uranus may be visible. 

There will be a tour of the summer and fall constellations, and there will be telescope views of double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Viewing will end before Read More

Trustees Reach $4 Million Settlement With Chevron Molycorp To Restore Natural Resources Near Questa

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NMED Ryan Flynn
 
NMED News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Natural Resource Trustees and Chevron Molycorp Inc. reached a $4 million settlement to restore natural resources injured as a result of releases of hazardous substances from the Chevron Molycorp mine facility in Questa.
 
The Trustees will use the money to implement restoration projects that benefit natural resources through the implementation of restoration projects that have yet to be specifically selected.
 
Such projects would be implemented in the area of the mine facility and include projects that compensate
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Waters Of The U.S. Rule Blocked Nationwide

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NMED News:

The Oct. 9 Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling applying a nationwide stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineer’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule affirms the success already achieved by the New Mexico Environment Department, Office of the State Engineer, and 12 other Rocky Mountain coalition states in halting the implementation of the WOTUS rule, while the rule’s serious deficiencies are litigated. 

The federal appeals court in Ohio ruled that delaying implementation of the WOTUS rule nationwide, while litigation proceeds, would not threaten Read More

DOE Invests Over $34 Million To Improve Protection Of Nation’s Energy Infrastructure

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DOE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to protecting America’s energy critical infrastructure, the Energy Department (DOE) announced more than $34 million for two projects that will improve the protection of the U.S. electric grid and oil and natural gas infrastructure from cyber threats.
 
The University of Arkansas and the University of Illinois will assemble teams with expertise in power systems engineering and the computer science of cybersecurity to develop new technologies that will help protect energy delivery systems
Read More

Mountain Biking In The Jemez With Tom Mayer Oct. 17

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Mountain bikers enjoying Jemez hidden single track. Courtesy/PEEC
 
PEEC News:
 
Calling all mountain bikers! Tom Mayer will guide an intermediate mountain bike ride Saturday, Oct. 17.
 
The group will ride in the Jemez Mountains on hidden single track through stands of aspens displaying peak fall colors. This ride is made possible by support from Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC).
 
The ride consists of about 8 miles of trail on Cebollita Mesa. Those who want to go farther can follow Mayer on an optional extended
Read More

The Pajarito Rambler: Wildflower Paradise

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The Pajarito Rambler
By NINA THAYER
Los Alamos

Wildflower Paradise: Dot Grant Trail in Late Summer

This is truly Wildflower Paradise. The walk this rambler will share is near the Guaje Pines Cemetery, joins the Dot Grant Trail (See Craig Martin, Los Alamos Trails, 2nd ed., #20.) and returns by an unnamed trail. 

There are a whole complex of trails in this area and the one described is about a mile around an interesting loop with two rather different microenvironments. This rambler identified more than two-dozen species on this particular day, and experts will see and know twice as many.

Follow Read More

Energy Secretary Releases Report On America’s Regional Vulnerabilities To Climate Change

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U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
 
DOE News:
 
LOS ANGELES ― While visiting California, a state plagued by persistent drought and dangerous wildfires, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz released an Energy Department report that examines the expected regional energy sector vulnerabilities to climate change.
 
The report divides the United States into nine regions, finding that the severe challenges from climate change across America will require a more comprehensive and accelerated national, regional and community approach to keep the U.S. energy system
Read More