No Easy Fix for Las Vegas, N.M., Water Woes

By Sue Major Holmes, Associated Press
Albuquerque Journal, Thursday, April 14, 2011

Water restrictions have become a way of life in the northern New Mexico community of Las Vegas, whose mayor says his city needs a better supply, more space to store it and replacement of an aging pipeline system it's been fixing one leak at a time.

The city of about 14,000 has endured some level of water restrictions for at least eight years since 2000. Last week, city councilors declared an emergency due to one of the driest winters in 60 years.

They banned outdoor watering, told hotels not to change sheets and towels more often than every four days for long-term guests, and said restaurant customers who ask for water should get it in a paper cup. They closed hotel and motel swimming pools, hot tubs and ornamental fountains and prohibited car washes from using city water three days a week.

Read more: ABQJOURNAL

NM law clears way for renewable energy investment

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press
Posted: 04/12/2011 01:43:31 PM MDT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Certain government entities will be able to invest in their own renewable energy systems rather than paying utilities to purchase renewable energy for them thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Susana Martinez.

Renewable energy advocates are hopeful the law will lead to more solar panels and other renewable energy systems popping up on government buildings.

Read more: Las Cruces Sun-News

N.M. Recycling Group Working on Rural Projects

Albuquerque Journal / Associated Press
April 8, 2011

New Mexico Recycling Coalition has awarded nearly $462,000 geared toward creating rural recycling collection points across the state.
The seven recipients include Cibola, Otero and San Miguel counties and the communities of Cimarron, Deming, Maxwell and Springer.
They will receive funding for recycling projects such as collection trailers or roll-off containers, and technical assistance from the recycling coalition.

Read more: ABQJOURNAL

Environmental groups support Herrell's memorial

Alamogordo Daily News
By Elva K. Osterreich, Associate News Editor
Posted: 03/17/2011 12:00:00 AM MDT

SANTA FE - House Memorial 3 passed the New Mexico State House this week with broad bipartisan support. The memorial, which was introduced by Rep. Yvette Herrell from Otero County, recognizes areas in New Mexico that are appropriate for national monument designation and requests that President Obama consult with local stakeholders when designating new national monuments in the state.

The memorial addresses concerns raised by a list of possible locations to be designated national monuments in New Mexico and reiterates that the federal Antiquities Act of 1906 requires national monument lands to be "confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected" and necessary to preserve and protect the historical sites or objects.

Read more: Alamogordo Daily News

State needs funds for Indian water settlements

N.M. has $10 million of $130 million share
By Susan Montoya Bryan | The Santa Fe New Mexican
3/3/2011

ALBUQUERQUE — The promise of a permanent water supply for several American Indian tribes in the West came one step closer to reality last fall when Congress signed off on more than $1 billion worth of water rights settlements.

Now, just months later, New Mexico's top water officials are concerned the state is not on track to meet a federal deadline for paying its share to implement the settlements. Without the state's $130 million share, the settlements could unravel, and decades of litigation and negotiation could go down the drain.

"There is a real sense of urgency because we were thinking we had plenty of time to basically work this over a 10-year period. The reality is we do not," said Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, who is sponsoring legislation that would allow the state to tap into its severance tax bonding capacity to pay for the settlements.

Read more: Santa Fe New Mexican

Authority Head: Water Conflict Looms

By John Fleck, Albuquerque Journal
Friday, February 25, 2011

The Western United States lacks the tools to deal with looming water conflicts as growing demand outpaces shrinking supplies, one of the region's most prominent water managers said during a talk Thursday in Albuquerque.

In switching to water imported from the Colorado River Basin for its municipal supplies, Albuquerque has joined what is, for better or worse, an integrated regional system, said Pat Mulroy, who heads the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Read more: ABQJOURNAL

County wants cut of water settlement

By Matt Robinson
The Deming Headlight
02/18/2011 12:00:00 AM MST

Rarely is money not a high priority in government, but for the Luna County Board of Commissioners, only one resource surpasses the all-mighty dollar: water.

In Southwestern New Mexico, much of which is desert, water is a highly-sought-after resource. To encourage the state to give Luna County its share of the Arizona Water Settlements Act of 2004 water and funds, the board unanimously passed a measure to encourage the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to remember the Bootheel when it decides what is to be done with the 14,000 acre-feet of water from the Gila and San Francisco rivers and the related funding of up to $62 million.

Read more: The Deming Headlight

Report: Southwest water use surpasses supplies

Cost to cover shortages could be $7 billion per year
By Staci Matlock | The Santa Fe New Mexican
2/18/2011

A new report by Massachusetts economists finds New Mexico and the rest of the Southwest will be short a lot of water in the next century if current consumption and growth continue, even if the amount of moisture stays the same.

Add even a minimal amount of climate change, with predicted warmer temperatures and less snow, and the picture looks worse both in terms of water and costs, write economists Frank Ackerman and Elizabeth A. Stanton of U.S. Center of the Stockholm Environment Institute.

To read the full report:

Read more: The Santa Fe New Mexican

Changes in Pit Rule Unlikely This Session

By Deborah Baker
Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer
02/15/11

The oil and gas pit rule has been a punching bag for the industry, a rallying cry for gubernatorial candidates and a boogeyman for Oil Patch lawmakers.

But the only action at the Capitol specific to the issue as the 60-day session neared its midpoint was a lunchtime lemonade stand.
There, youngsters handed out free pink drinks Monday with labels warning that without "common-sense" safeguards such as the pit rule, water could contain dangerous contaminants.

Read more: ABQJOURNAL

Industry wary of S.F. rep from oil family

Egolf's ties to oilmen don't steer his policy
By Steve Terrell | The Santa Fe New Mexican
1/24/2011

State Rep. Brian Egolf's great-grandfather was the founder of the American Petroleum Association of America. Egolf's father, until a few years ago, was an oilman, who drilled in Oklahoma and Texas.

But oil-industry representatives aren't exactly reacting with joy at the news that a "member of the family" is heading to the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Read more: The Santa Fe New Mexican

Governor drops green rules

Martinez halts emissions regulations
Alamogordo Daily News
By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Posted: 01/06/2011

ALBUQUERQUE - Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is making good on campaign promises to drop new regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions as well as other controversial rules passed in the waning days of the previous administration.

Officials at the state Environment Department have requested to keep the greenhouse gas reduction rules, as well as new pollution-control measures aimed at the dairy industry, from being published in upcoming editions of the register.

Read more: Las Cruces Sun-News
......

Ex-astronaut Schmitt gets energy post

By Barry Massey | The Associated Press
1/6/2011

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has selected former astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt as secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

A senior aide to Martinez said Thursday the former U.S. senator is being nominated to run the agency that oversees oil and natural gas production, manages state parks and and administers forestry, mining reclamation and renewable energy programs.

Read more: Santa Fe New Mexican

Martinez ousts board over emissions rules

Governor blasts environmental regulations as 'anti-business' policies

By Susan Montoya Bryan | The Associated Press
1/5/2011

ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday took aim at the controversial Environmental Improvement Board, announcing that she was removing all members over concerns about the board's approval in recent months of what she considers "anti-business" policies.

Read more in the Santa Fe New Mexican