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.
As Fire Season Begins, Heinrich, Luján Lead National Push to Increase Wildland Firefighter Recruitment and Retention
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023
The Senators' Letter Comes as Temporary Pay Increases for Wildland Firefighters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Are Set to Expire in September
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and a bipartisan group of Western senators in urging the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to consider a long-term solution to increase wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. In their letter, the senators push Congress to act before short-term pay increases in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for over 16,000 federal wildland firefighters are set to expire on September 30th, 2023.
"Investing in our federal wildland firefighters is a matter of national security as critical infrastructure, homes, communities, structures, and natural resources are at grave and growing risk of catastrophic wildfire," wrote the senators. "As the 2023 fire season begins, Congress must support our nation's federal wildland firefighters and ensure the federal government has a robust and resilient workforce.
Wildfires have become more destructive, dangerous, and costly in recent years, increasing the need to recruit and retain experienced wildland firefighters. The acreage burned by wildfires annually has doubled over the past two decades, with over 7.5 million acres burned last year, alone. Between 2017 and 2021, wildfires destroyed an average of over 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures annually – more than three times greater than the prior five years. Over the past five years, the cost of these wildfires has been estimated to reach nearly $67 billion.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces having demonstration and workshops
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 07 June 2023 07 June 2023
Guests to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces on June 17 will enjoy a variety of demonstrations and workshops during the annual Fiber Extravaganza.
What: The third-annual Fiber Extravaganza. Fiber arts demonstrations – including wool spinning, knitting, weaving, quilting, basket weaving, and natural dyeing -- are featured from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 17. Workshops are added to this year’s event, including basket weaving, needle binding, Colcha embroidery, beginning stitching, painting on silk, the use of color, and tatting. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, and $3 for children 4 to 17. The fee includes all of the Museum’s regular offerings. For workshop registration information, please contact Farm & Ranch Museum Education Coordinator LuAnn Kilday at (575) 522-4100 or luann.kilday@dca.nm.gov.
Final construction update for Truth or Consequences
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 06 June 2023 06 June 2023
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.
Heinrich Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Rental Housing
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 06 June 2023 06 June 2023
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."
U.S. DOE awards New Mexico $14 million to modernize the electric grid
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 06 June 2023 06 June 2023
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.
Tentative Agenda for LFC meeting in Las Cruces, NM June 27-29, 2023
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 05 June 2023 05 June 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.
EMNRD seeks new director for the Energy Conservation and Management Division
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 05 June 2023 05 June 2023
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.
Statement from House Republican Leader Ryan Lane (Aztec) concerning the recent decision imposed on NM by Sec. Haaland:
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 03 June 2023 03 June 2023
"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.