Nation

Heinrich Introduces Bill To Establish Tech Transfer Maturation Program

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 2973, the National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act.

The bill would launch a new National Laboratory Technology Maturation Program (NLTMP) at the U.S. Department of Energy to facilitate successful commercialization of laboratory-developed technologies.

The new program would provide funding to each national laboratory to be used by small businesses with a licensed technology from a laboratory, such as Sandia National Laboratories Read More

Reprimanded Los Alamos Surgeon Practicing In Iowa

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John Dirk Wassner, M.D.

MEDICAL News:

Former Los Alamos surgeon John Dirk Wassner was granted reinstatement of his permanent Iowa medical license subject to a Consent Agreement Dec. 8.

Wassner, 67, who studied medicine at the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, was disciplined by the New Mexico Medical Board, which issued him a public reprimand Oct. 3, 2013 for failing to report an adverse action taken by a healthcare entity in violation of the New Mexico Medical Practice Act.    

Under the terms of the Dec. 8, 2014 Consent Agreement, the Iowa Medical Board reinstated Read More

LANL Programs Among Items Approved In Appropriations Bill

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • Appropriations bill funds PILT, lab programs including B61, N.M. military bases, WIPP recovery, technology transfer, water projects and other programs  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich joined the full Senate in voting 56-40 for a so-called “omnibus” appropriations bill to fund the government, including critical New Mexico programs, through September 2015, the end of the Fiscal Year.

The bill includes full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which helps Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce Momentous Gains For New Mexico With Passage Of Public Lands Package

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., applauded the passage of a historic public lands package today. Several conservation and energy bills championed by the senators were included in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act. The end of year package passed the Senate by a vote of 89 to 11 and now goes to the President for his signature.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

“This is an exciting day for everyone who enjoys public lands and parks in New Mexico. With today’s vote we are protecting some of the Read More

Heinrich To Serve On Senate Armed Services Committee

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Position will be instrumental in Senator’s commitment to New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement after receiving an assignment to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Heinrich currently serves, and will continue to serve, on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Intelligence, and Joint Economic Committees.

“I look forward to serving on the Senate Armed Service Committee to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep our nation Read More

Moniz Announces Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group

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Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

  • Partnership to Deepen Relationship Around Critical Nuclear Energy Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Building on President Obama’s commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced Friday the formalization of the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG), providing a forum for Tribal Leaders to engage with the Department on a wide scope of nuclear energy issues. 

“Through the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group, the Department hopes to incorporate the unique and Read More

Valles Caldera Trust Commits To Smooth Transition To National Park Service Management

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VCNT News:

Jemez Springs – The Valles Caldera Trust has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate’s passage of legislation transferring management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service:

The Valles Caldera Trust’s Board and Executive Director are committed to a smooth transition to National Park Service management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. In addition, the Board of Trustees hopes to see the continuation of the staff-led science-based adaptive management program which oversees the landscape restoration, grazing Read More

Congress Approves Valles Caldera National Preserve And Manhattan Project National Historical Park!

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Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/NPS

NPCA News:

With today’s Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, Congress has approved the most significant expansion of the National Park System in nearly three decades.

The legislation includes the approval of Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Las Alamos as well as Hanford, Wash., and Oak Ridge, Tenn.

“This bipartisan legislation represents years of work by community members, business leaders, scientists and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA),” said Read More

IRS Reminder – Take Required Distributions By Dec. 31

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – The Internal Revenue Service recently reminded taxpayers born before July 1, 1944, that they generally must receive payments from their individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and workplace retirement plans by Dec. 31.

Known as required minimum distributions (RMDs), these payments normally must be made by the end of 2014. But a special rule allows first-year recipients of these payments, those who reached age 70½ during 2014, to wait until as late as April 1, 2015 to receive their first RMDs. This means that those born after June 30, 1943 and before July 1, 1944 Read More

Luján Issues Statement On Passage Of Spending Bill

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement Thursday after voting against an omnibus appropriations bill.

“It is deeply disappointing that Congressional Republicans have used this process to pass damaging provisions that roll back critical Wall Street reforms and further undermine campaign finance rules. In addition, the measure shortchanges investments in key areas that are critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness and New Mexico’s future – cutting Pell Grants and providing Read More