Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.
Heinrich, Grijalva Introduce Legislation to Modernize Antiquated Mining Law
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
Legislation comes as demand grows for critical minerals necessary for the transition to a clean energy future
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, introduced House and Senate versions of the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act to modernize the nation’s severely antiquated Mining Law of 1872. The bills will address major environmental justice concerns, protect the environment, and ensure a fair return for the American people.
"We cannot go all in on a clean energy future with a 19th century mining policy on the books. This antiquated law has become a driving force behind centuries of legacy mining pollution that is leaking toxic heavy metals and acid mine drainage into streams and rivers all across the West,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich Announces Legislation to Improve Electric Transmission Planning
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
The Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act will help build a more reliable and robust 21st century energy infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced legislation to jump start the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) interregional transmission planning process.
“If we want to confront the climate crisis and make our electric grid more resilient and reliable, we need to be thinking across regions,” said Heinrich. “This bill will direct FERC to formalize an interregional planning process. It will be key to modernizing our electric grid in a way that creates good-paying jobs and helps us transition to a clean energy future.”
The bill, first introduced by Senator Heinrich in 2019, directs FERC to create an interregional transmission planning process and ensure that cost allocation methodologies consider economic, reliability, and operational benefits. The bill directs FERC to promulgate a final rule within 18 months of enactment.
NMDOT Traffic Report for week of May 21 to 28, 2023.
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.
White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.
Interstates:
Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C
La Calerita Construction, LLC. (Contractor) construction, Phase 3 is expected to last about 4 (four) months, through September 2023, the following traffic impacts will be in place:
Construction Update: Northbound I-25 On-Ramp at Exit 75
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
Will Be Closed for Two Months Beginning Monday, May 22; Southbound Off-Ramp and Part of Broadway Street Remain Closed
Update as of May 19, 2023
NOTE: All construction is weather permitting and is subject to changes without notice.
Beginning Monday, May 22, 2023, crews will close the I-25 northbound on-ramp at Exit 75so they can install curb and gutter. This closure is expected to last about two (2) months, through late July.
The following traffic impacts will also remain in place:
- The southbound I-25 on-ramp and off-ramp at Exit 75 will remain closed
- Broadway Street will remain closed west of NM 187
I-25 San Antonio Interchange Study and Public Comment
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 May 2023 18 May 2023
We want to hear from you!
SOCORRO – The New Mexico Department of Transportation held its 2nd virtual public involvement meeting to introduce improvement alternatives that have been identified and evaluated with the I-25 San Antonio Interchange Study in Socorro County, NM. If you missed the meeting, it’s not too late!
What will this study consider?
The objective of the study is to evaluate the I-25 San Antonio Interchange, which is approximately 0.5 miles west of San Antonio, New Mexico between Mileposts 139 and 140. The interchange at I-25 connects with US 380, which is the main road into the nearby community of San Antonio. The study will address safety concerns, document existing roadway geometry, drainage structures, bridge structures, and access control. The study team will identify areas of concern, seek public and stakeholder feedback, and develop improvement alternatives.
Heinrich Welcomes Major Permitting Milestone for SunZia Transmission Line
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 May 2023 18 May 2023
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, is welcoming the release of a Record of Decision on the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.
“SunZia will have a massive economic impact in New Mexico. Once it’s completed, New Mexico will be the largest producer of wind power in the Western Hemisphere. This project will put our state on the map as the place to build large-scale renewable generation projects and transmission infrastructure. It will also bring us one huge step closer to meeting our ambitious and urgent climate goals, while creating thousands of good-paying jobs along the way.
“Over the last decade and a half, I’ve fought for this project as it’s hit a series of obstacles. It was worth the fight to deliver the transformative economic impact of this project for our rural communities. Our work to engage with local communities, private landholders, and stakeholders to secure strong community economic benefit and environmental stewardship commitments from SunZia’s developer, Pattern Energy, was an important piece of this process. But the permitting should never have taken this long.
2023 Spaceport America Cup
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 May 2023 18 May 2023
Spaceport America and the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) are pleased to announce the 2023 Spaceport America Cup brought to you by Blue Origin. This year’s event will be held June 19-24 in Southern New Mexico.
The Spaceport America Cup is the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry engineering contest (IREC) and has been held in New Mexico since 2017. Drawn by the opportunity to collaborate and compete at a world-class spaceport facility, 159 student teams represent the best and brightest from more than 100 institutions located in 24 countries. In total, there will be over 5,900 students participating, with women representing 22.5% of all participants.
Spaceport America Cup will kick off in Las Cruces, New Mexico in June with a full schedule that includes presentations and displays at the Las Cruces Convention Center on June 20, followed by three and a half days of rocket launching at Spaceport America’s vertical launch area in Sierra County, with the closing ceremony in the evening of June 24 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.
Department of Health issues statement on the extreme case of abuse and neglect that resulted in the tragic death of a disabled client
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 May 2023 18 May 2023
SANTA FE – Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Patrick Allen issued a statement following the arrests of Angelita Chacon, Patricia Hurtado, and Luz Scott by New Mexico authorities in the horrendous case of abuse and neglect that resulted in the tragic death of an intellectually disabled client.
“Many thanks to all of the law enforcement agencies for their due diligence and strong attention to this shocking case of abuse and neglect that we turned over to them,” said Patrick Allen, Secretary for DOH. “The arrest and the allegations levied against Angelita Chacon, Patricia Hurtado, and Luz Scott are unconscionable and constitute the worst breach of trust DOH has ever seen. We will continue to refer any other cases of abuse and neglect to law enforcement for investigation. As the governor stated earlier, ‘if you abuse or neglect those in your care, we are coming for you.’ Any form of abuse, harm or neglect is unacceptable and the rights and safety of the people we support and serve are our highest priorities.”