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.
Avangrid Terminates Merger with PNM
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 January 2024 02 January 2024
Disappointing end to merger and its agreed-upon benefits to customers and communities in New Mexico
(Albuquerque, NM) – PNM received notice from Avangrid on December 31, 2023, that it was terminating the merger agreement with PNM’s parent company, PNM Resources.
The companies announced their agreement to merge in October 2020 and presented the benefits of the merger, including customer rate credits, in their request for approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC). Over the course of the regulatory process in 2021, the companies reached agreements with 14 intervening parties representing varying interests for additional customer and community benefits totaling over $300 million to New Mexico in the form of customer rate credits, forgiveness of past-due bills, new job commitments, economic development funds, scholarship and apprenticeship training programs, low-income energy efficiency programs and more.
Voting is Now Live for Public to Pick Snowplow Names
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 January 2024 02 January 2024
SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) launched their first ever snowplow naming contest and New Mexicans did not disappoint! We received almost 1,600 names!
It was difficult, but NMDOT Communication staff narrowed the entries down to 50 names from the amazing submissions. NOW it is time for the public to vote on their favorites! Voting is open and will continue through Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at noon! To vote, visit the NMDOT website at https://www.dot.nm.gov/ and click "Name a NMDOT Snowplow” to pick your favorite or visit www.dot.nm.gov/name-a-plow/ . You can vote up to 6 times!
Saturation Patrols in Counties across the State in January 2024
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 29 December 2023 29 December 2023
State Police Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols in Counties across the State in January 2024
Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during January 2024
We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.
These checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Game Commission to meet January 12
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 29 December 2023 29 December 2023
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy Street; Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
Ring in 2024 in the outdoors NM State Park First Day Hike or Polar Plunge
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 27 December 2023 27 December 2023
January 1st is the one and only opportunity during the year to experience the 108-year-old Elephant Butte Lake Dam up close. Photo: NM State Parks. Santa Fe, NM – Celebrate the New Year with fun, fresh air, and scenic views by participating in a First Day Hike at one of your New Mexico State Parks! These guided hikes are organized annually on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. Or why not take the plunge with a quick dip into a frozen lake!
The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) will sponsor free guided hikes in 11 state parks and polar plunges at two locations on January 1, 2024.
NM State Parks expands public access at Percha Dam
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 26 December 2023 26 December 2023
NM State Parks expands public access at Percha Dam through an amended lease agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation
Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department officially announces an amendment to the 2018 lease agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) that adds 165 acres of land to Percha Dam State Park in Sierra County.
Under the updated lease agreement, the land owned by Reclamation, is now managed by New Mexico State Parks for preservation and recreation purposes. It’s located just north of Percha Dam along the Rio Grande in Caballo.
“With the acquisition of the property, State Parks will work to update the Management Plan for Percha Dam State Park. The plan update will include adding the new acreage, in addition to taking public input about other potential changes because of this new acreage,” said Saul Baquera, NM State Parks Southwest Region Manager. “Our initial plans call for enhancing the property recreational activities by adding walking trails and bird blinds throughout the property.”
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Awards $1 million
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 26 December 2023 26 December 2023
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Awards $1 million in Outdoor Equity Funding to Organizations in 12 Counties, 5 Tribal communities
Outdoor Equity Fund has supported 84 organizations with outdoor youth programming in second round of grants
SANTA FE, N.M. –The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) is awarding $1 million in new Outdoor Equity Fund grants to 30 organizations, school districts, and local governments in 12 counties and five Tribal communities, ORD Director Karina Armijo announced today.
The first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) was created in 2019 to enable all New Mexican youth equitable access to the outdoors. Since Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Outdoor Equity Fund into legislation, the program has granted nearly $5 million to 211 organizations throughout the state. The grant supports programming that provides outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s land, water, and cultural heritage.
Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 December 2023 22 December 2023
Don’t Hibernate on a Preparedness Plan
Santa Fe – Take this seasonal break to create or review and improve your personal preparedness plan for emergencies. The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division and our partners at nearby national forests, agencies, and non-governmental organizations want to wrap up the 2023 Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round campaign with our December message: Don’t Hibernate on a Preparedness Plan.