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 those events please visit Local News Releases.

Final construction update for Truth or Consequences

Due to construction on New School Road in Truth or Consequences, water will be shut off on June 8 and 9, 2023. Please see details in the PDF below.

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Heinrich Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Rental Housing

DEPOSIT Act could help more than 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act. An important piece of addressing the housing crisis, this legislation will help low-income renters overcome the barrier of security deposit payments when moving into new housing. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Cali.) has introduced companion legislation in the House.

"We have a serious housing crisis in New Mexico and across the country. It's impacting everyone, at all income levels and in nearly every community. The DEPOSIT Act tackles one piece of this puzzle by focusing on the costs that come from moving into a new home," said Heinrich. "That includes security deposits - one of the biggest barriers low-income renters face when moving into a new apartment, often required on top of two month's rent. This legislation unlocks support to help renters overcome this barrier so their families can settle into a safe place to call home and build a foundation for a better future."

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U.S. DOE awards New Mexico $14 million to modernize the electric grid

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will disperse funds to local projects

SANTA FE, NM – New Mexico is among four states and two Tribal nations selected to receive the first round of funding from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program designed to make the electric grid better able to withstand the impacts of natural disasters, even as the grid evolves to accommodate more renewable energy.

The Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program is funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program is expected to distribute a total of $2.3 billion over the next five years for projects that will boost the reliability of the nation's power infrastructure as communities work toward delivering on the Biden Administration's goal of 100 percent clean electricity across the country by 2035.

The DOE identified recipients of the first $50 million in program grants in late May. New Mexico received $14 million. The Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants distribute funds to States, Territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations, based on a formula that includes factors such as population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality's historical expenditures on mitigation efforts.

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Tentative Agenda for LFC meeting in Las Cruces, NM June 27-29, 2023

Please see the entire tentative agenda below in PDF format for the Legislative Finance Committee meeting June 27-29, 2023 in Las Cruces, NM.

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EMNRD seeks new director for the Energy Conservation and Management Division

Search spurred by long-time director's pending retirement

SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) announced today that it is accepting applications from candidates for the Energy Conservation and Management Division Director position. Details on how to apply for the position are available on the EMNRD website.

Louise Martinez, the long-time ECMD director announced her retirement from state government, effective June 30, 2023. As a result, the agency has launched a national search to fill this critical position.

The ECMD director oversees the state's energy office, encompassing the division's statewide statutory, regulatory, and policy responsibilities with respect to renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change, alternative fuels, and safe transportation of radioactive waste.

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Statement from House Republican Leader Ryan Lane (Aztec) concerning the recent decision imposed on NM by Sec. Haaland:

"Sec. Haaland's shortsighted decision will have a far-reaching impact on the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, not only to allottees but also for area economic development, which has already been decimated by progressive political pandering with the closure of the San Juan Generating station. Such policies have promised an economic boom of eco-jobs; however, thus far all our communities have seen is progressive destruction of viable and sustainable jobs being negatively affected by political pandering," House Republican Leader Ryan Lane (Aztec) stated.

State Police Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols in Counties across the State in June 2023

 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 June 2023. 

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.

Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to make the right decision not to drive impaired.

Who:

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N.M. Delegation Announces New Resources for Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Recovery

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming two new actions taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in helping New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

 This week, following months of advocacy from the delegation, FEMA and the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office announced a new partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Under this partnership, claimants will have the option to request a NRCS conservation and restoration plan, tailored to recovering from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding, to include cost estimates that can be utilized by the Claims Office to process claims quickly and efficiently. This service will be provided at no cost to the claimant.

Additionally, the Congressional delegation is announcing over $265 million from USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to help with wildfire recovery efforts. This funding will fund 28 EWP projects in 16 states impacted by extreme weather events, including the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in New Mexico.

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