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Iñupiaq woman focuses on Indigenous-led renewable energy efforts in New Mexico
Growing up as an Iñupiaq woman with family roots in northwestern Alaska, Salina Derichsweiler feels at home in New Mexico surrounded by other Native communities. And leading the development of new community solar farms in New Mexico, Derichsweiler sees an opportunity for Indigenous people to lead the way in a transition to renewable energy. Derichsweiler, […]
State’s emergency department director resigns, NM National Guard moves in, letter says
The secretary for the state’s emergency management department told staff this week that he is resigning and that the general for the New Mexico National Guard will soon oversee the department, according to a letter written by the outgoing secretary and obtained by Source New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed David Dye as secretary […]
New Mexicans have months, maybe years, to wait before they get community solar energy
It will remain a slow burn for New Mexicans waiting to save money by powering their homes or businesses with renewable energy through the state’s community solar program. While there have been delays and setbacks in the past with community solar, this is a naturally lengthy process for a first-ever program in the state that […]
New Mexicans fight PNM’s proposed price hike, blaming utility for its prolonged fossil fuel usage
A room that was empty a month ago was scattered with concerned New Mexicans on Thursday, joined by even more online, gathered to speak up against the possibility of more expensive utility bills next year. The Public Service Company of New Mexico wants to hike up electricity costs in 2024. The utility in December 2022 […]
Senators urge NM to quickly deliver public disaster money but emergency agency says it can’t yet
The federal government promised over a year ago to pay for all the damage the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent disasters like flooding did to counties in northern New Mexico. Local officials who are still trying to start repair work haven’t seen much of that disaster aid yet. Some of the money is sitting […]
PNM wants to raise electricity rates in 2024. You can tell state officials your thoughts on Thursday.
The Public Service Company of New Mexico wants to enact a price hike in 2024, and New Mexicans have another chance this week to voice their opinions on it. This would be the first time in five years that New Mexicans could get more expensive billing rates under PNM. The utility argues that its requested […]
‘It smelled like plastic. That creates a memory’
Celerah Hewes lives in southeast Albuquerque. On Aug. 6, she was driving home from the grocery store and happened to see the smoke plume from the Atkore United Poly Systems fire. “Otherwise I would never have known,” she said. “I would have stayed in my house, my swamp cooler on, and maybe had no idea […]
Water officials in rural and tribal NM communities unaware of free federal water aid
Communities in New Mexico have an opportunity to get free help from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to figure out what water problems they face, and apply for federal funds to solve them. Not everyone knows about this program, including officials leading recovery efforts in areas that have seen intense fires and floods over the […]
NM federal delegation works to get new compensation pot for Cerro Pelado Fire victims
For victims to get fully compensated for their losses from another fire started in New Mexico by the U.S. Forest Service in 2022, Congress has to pass an entirely new bill that allocates the money. After President Joe Biden amended the New Mexico disaster declaration earlier this week to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency […]
Ahead of NM visit, Biden commits to fully pay local governments for damage from Cerro Pelado Fire
President Joe Biden said the federal government will pay for public recovery from yet another wildfire the U.S. Forest Service started in New Mexico in 2022. The White House announced Tuesday morning that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 100% of eligible public repair projects following damage in Sandoval and Los Alamos counties caused […]
FEMA pushes out more disaster relief funds for people harmed by northern NM fire
Victims of New Mexico’s largest fire ever got a boost in federal compensation funds over the past week. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Monday that officials have now delivered at least $14 million to people and governments affected by the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Most of that money went to individuals and […]
Public Regulation Commission begins process to define priorities and long-term goals
What’s the purpose of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission? How are these state employees serving local communities? What are the priorities? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. Those who serve on the commission responsible for regulating public utility services are also trying to figure it out right now. One thing is clear: the […]