EPA To Issue Permits For Los Alamos Storm Water Runoff - Associated Press
New Mexico officials are planning another public meeting focused on the state's oversight and scientific monitoring of environmental impacts at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The Environment Department has scheduled the next meeting for Jan. 9 at the University of New Mexico campus in Los Alamos.
The gathering follows a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that storm water runoff from the lab and Los Alamos County are contributing to violations of water quality standards and that those discharges must be controlled and regulated under an EPA-issued permit.
Environmentalists say controlling the discharges will protect downstream users from heavy metals and other contaminants.
New Mexico Democrats Plan To Try Once Again To Ban Privately Run Detention Centers In The State From Housing Migrants - Associated Press
Democratic Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces recently introduced a bill that would prevent cities and counties from signing contracts with the private companies to house or detain immigrants.
It is one of the 90 or so prefilled bills drafted by state lawmakers.
Under the proposal, cities and counties with existing contracts can't renew their agreements after June 30, 2020.
Similar bills have previously failed.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has not said if she would place immigration on the call for the upcoming 30-day legislative session.
New Mexico Urges Residents To Get Outside On New Year's Day - Associated Press
New Mexico officials are urging residents to spend time outside on the first day of the year.
The State Parks Division is hosting a series of hikes at nine state parks on New Year's Day as part of the annual First Day Hikes initiative.
Visitors can also participate in Polar Bear Plunges at Storrie Lake State Park and Eagle Nest Lake State Park.
Last year, the National Association of State Park Directors reported that nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year on First Day Hikes, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles (214,043 kilometers) throughout the country on the guided hikes.
New Mexico Gas Co. Makes Case For Rate Hikes - Associated Press
New Mexico Gas Co. is proposing a rate increase to recover the costs of capital investments.
The state's largest natural gas distribution utility announced Monday that it has filed a request with state regulators for a rate hike that would generate more than $13 million.
If approved by the Public Regulation Commission, new rates would go into effect in 2021. The company says average residential customers could see their monthly bill increase by about $1.70.
Utility president Ryan Shell said in a statement that bills will still be the lowest in the region. The utility serves roughly 530,000 customers.
Authorities Are Seeking A New Mexico Man Charged With Stealing Equipment From A Natural Gas Well Site -Farmington Daily Times, Associated Press
The Farmington Daily Times reports authorities are seeking James Jolly for stealing a stainless-steel chemical injection tank worth about $9,500 from a natural gas well site in the Four Corners region.
The 36-year-old is also facing charges for failing to return an Apple MacBook Air laptop computer to the Farmington Municipal School District from a student who disenrolled.
A judge issued a warrant after Jolly failed to appear in court for a felony embezzlement case.
Ruth Wheeler, Jolly's attorney for the larceny and breaking and entering cases, declined to comment on the cases.
Jolly's hearing on a larceny case is scheduled for Dec. 26 in Aztec Magistrate Court.