Politics

Public Comment Period On Chromium Project Draft Environmental Assessment Extended To Nov. 13, 2015

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LANL News:

The Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Chromium Plume Control Interim Measure and Plume-Center Characterization at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

This document describes the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed actions in Mortandad Canyon. The objectives of the proposed actions are to control migration of the chromium plume and to further characterize and study the chromium plume in the groundwater beneath Mortandad Canyon.

The public comment period Read More

PED Revises PARCC Results

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By Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus
Los Alamos Public Schools

We received a text from the Public Education Department that their original information about the definition of “proficient” was incorrect.

Following is the revised criteria: students are considered “proficient” if they score at a level of 4 or 5. (The initial information from PED stated that levels 3, 4, and 5 were “proficient”)

The test scores did not change.

For high school graduation, a score of level 3, 4, or 5 will be accepted for the classes of 2016 and 2017. In future years, a score of level 4 or 5 will be required for graduation. Read More

NMED Joins 5-State Challenge To EPA’s Ozone Rule

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NMED Secretary Ryan Flynn

NMED News:

NMED Joins Arkansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and North Dakota to Challenge EPA’s Ozone Rule Change

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Environment Department with the States of Arizona, Arkansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma are challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to set more stringent, one-size-fits-all federal air quality standards for ozone (Arizona v. EPA, D.C. Cir., No. 15-1392, 10/27/15). 

The five states filed the lawsuit Oct. 27 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 

“The Environmental Read More

Feds Deny NM Drivers Licenses Extension

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BY ROGER SNODGRASS
Los Alamos Daily Post

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed New Mexico this week that the state will not be granted an additional extension of time to comply with federal driver’s license standards under the Real ID Act passed by Congress in 2005.

A letter on behalf of DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to Demisia Padilla, Secretary of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department finds that “New Mexico has not provided adequate justification for continued noncompliance with the REAL ID standards that would warrant granting your request for another extension.” Read More

Cultural Affairs Deputy Secretary Michael Delello Receives New Mexico Library Leadership Award

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DCA Deputy Secretary Michael Delello
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Library Association has awarded a 2015 Library Leadership Award to Deputy Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), Michael Delello.
 
The award is made to individuals who have rendered outstanding library service beyond their local communities, making contributions to the advancement of libraries within the state, known and recognized in more than one community; contributions that enhance or bring recognition of the image of libraries in New Mexico; and activities and efforts
Read More

AG And 12 NM Tribal Governments Meet To Improve Public Safety & Law Enforcement Partnerships

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Attorney General Hector Balderas meets with Tribal leaders across New Mexico. Courtesy photo
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas met Oct. 27 with tribal leaders from across New Mexico including Acoma, Fort Sill Apache, Jemez, Jicarilla Apache, Laguna, Ohkay Owingeh, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos, Tesuque and Zia.
 
The meeting was held at the Office of the Attorney General’s Santa Fe office. Attorney General Balderas released the following statement:
 
“I was honored to host Governors, Lt. Governors, Councilmembers and
Read More

NMED Questions Independence Of DOI Probe

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NMED News:
 
SANTA FE ― New Mexico Environment Department officials Oct. 23, questioned the intent, independence, and investigative rigor of the U.S. Dept. of Interior’s (DOI) report on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gold King Mine blowout that released 3 million gallons of heavy metals laced mine wastewater into the Animas and San Juan Rivers.  
 
“While DOI’s technical evaluation squarely places blame for the Gold King Mine blowout on EPA, it suspiciously avoids answering any questions of substance relating to who made the
Read More

Udall Votes For Bipartisan Budget Agreement

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Early this morning, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall voted to approve a bipartisan budget agreement. The plan passed the Senate 64-35 and now heads to the president for his signature.
Udall released the following statement: 
 
“New Mexico’s labs, military bases, and especially working families deserve certainty that the government will remain open for business. And we also must have relief from devastating sequestration budget cuts that have affected everything from military readiness to child care assistance,
Read More

Udall To Highlight Importance Of NM’s National Labs

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON ― Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall attended two hearings important to New Mexico. 
 
This morning, Udall will attended a Commerce Committee hearing to discuss the importance of protecting net neutrality and expanding broadband Internet to improve New Mexicans’ access to online health care services and economic and learning opportunities.
 
This afternoon, Udall attended a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development about the future of the national laboratories.
Read More

Luján Honors Life & Service Of Maj. Phyllis Pelky

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján speaking today on the House floor – honoring the life and service of Major Phyllis Pelky of Rio Rancho. Screen Shot/LADP

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke on the House floor today to honor the life and service of Major Phyllis Pelky of Rio Rancho, who died while serving in Afghanistan. Click here to watch his speech. 

Luján’s remarks.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Air Force Major Phyllis Pelky who died earlier this month in a helicopter crash in Kabul, Afghanistan. As a Major in the Air Read More