PNM announces new solar plant in southern NM

The state's largest electric utility has unveiled its newest solar power plant in southern New Mexico. 

PNM says the Otero County Solar Energy Center in La Luz is capable of producing enough electricity to meet the needs of about 2,400 average residential customers. The 7.5-megawatt plant marks a $17.5 million investment by the utility. The plant spans 70 acres and includes more than 101,000 solar panels for converting the sun's energy into electricity.

 In all, PNM says it has made a $180 million commitment to solar energy. That includes eight solar plants that are now online and three new centers that are proposed for next year. PNM says more wind-generated power will be added in 2015, and customers will begin getting geothermal-generated power from a plant near Lordsburg next year.

PNM announces new solar plant in southern NM

Advocates want applicant information privacy

The identities of applicants for top jobs in New Mexico local governments could be kept secret under legislation being supported by an advocacy group for cities. 

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the New Mexico Municipal League is endorsing a proposal to allow names and applications of applicants to be withheld from the public at the applicants' request. 

League Executive Director Bill Fulginiti says publicly releasing the names of applicants for city manager and other top posts means some people are reluctant to apply because they don't want to lose their current jobs. 

A group that advocates for government transparency opposes the idea. President-elect Greg Williams of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government says the public has a right to know who applies for jobs funded with public money.

Information from the Associated Press. 

Advocates want applicant information privacy

Pojoaque Pueblo sues the state

One of New Mexico's American Indian tribes is suing the state over failed negotiations concerning its gaming compact. 

Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera says the agreement being sought by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration would further restrict tribal gambling operations and would increase taxes, fees and other charges. Rivera says such a compact would not help New Mexico's gaming industry compete with other states, especially since casino revenues have been flat since 2008 and government funding for tribes has diminished.  Pojoaque's current compact expires in June 2015. 

The lawsuit was filed Friday in state district court.  Rivera said Tuesday the pueblo intends to continue negotiations with the governor's office.

Pojoaque Pueblo sues the state

NM copying other states' job creation models

KOB-TV 4, Eyewitness News photo

From KOB-TV.com - By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4 - Call it "stealing" if you want to--"borrowing" sounds nicer. Either way, state lawmakers are looking at what other states are doing while they grapple with New Mexico's ongoing jobs crisis. The idea is to see what's working elsewhere and give it a try here, where the economy lags behind most of the nation when it comes to job creation.
     One bill already drafted for the legislature's 30 day session that starts next month would give huge tax rebates to businesses that expand or relocate here, but only after they create secure new jobs. New Mexico has seen more than its share of companies that cut and run, leaving taxpayers holding the bag.
     "This is a new twist on making sure the performance is there first, before they get the valuable tax rebates the state gives out," said Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, a Sandia Park Republican who is co-sponsoring the bill with Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, a Democrat from Las Cruces.
     Fred Nathan, head of the Think New Mexico public policy think tank, admits he swiped the idea from one of New Mexico's neighbors. "This idea came from Utah, where it's been very effective and it's created over 25,000 high-paying jobs in five years," Nathan said.
     Another idea, borrowed from several states, is to offer in-state college tuition to foreign students majoring in STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and math. Lawmakers think this would encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities here.
     One more idea, borrowed from Delaware originally and now about 17 other states: create a single Internet portal where businesses can go to quickly and easily file forms and pay fees and perform all the other red-tape tasks the state requires. Nathan calls it "one stop shopping". More

NM copying other states' job creation models

Marita Noon: Death by Renewables

Commentary by Marita Noon - “Even green projects impact their surrounding environment.” Green energy, specifically so-called renewables, has been sold to the American public as the answer to a host of crimes against the planet. 

     But, as Lex Berko points out in her post on Motherboard, “even green” has its downside. Biomass may be “renewable,” but burning it releases CO2. 

     Then, it’s expensive: “A 100% renewable-energy mix from in-state sources could cost up to five times more,” reports Wall Street Journal. .And, energy from wind and solar kills birds.
     Wind turbines chop up bald and golden eagles, and other endangered species, like a Cuisinart—the taller turbines with longer blades (which produce more energy, and, therefore, is where the trend is heading) have a predicted annual ten-fold mortality increase. 

     The authors of a new study on bird collision mortality at wind facilities concludes: “Given that we found evidence for increased bird mortality with increasing height of monopole turbines along with a move toward increasing turbine size, we argue that wildlife collision risk should be incorporated with energy efficiency considerations when evaluating the ‘greenness’ of alternative wind energy development options.” 

     If the Department of Energy were to meet its 2030 goal of having 20 percent of the nation’s electricity generated from wind, they project: “a mean annual mortality estimate of roughly 1.4 million birds.”
     Hundreds of acres of photovoltaic solar panels confuse migratory water birds,such as the “once-critically endangered brown pelican whose lifestyle involves fishing by diving into open water,” to veer miles out of their way to dive toward what they perceive are lakes or wetlands—only to die from “blunt force trauma.” At the largest solar thermal plant in the world, Ivanpah, owned by Brightsource Energy, the 170,000 reflecting mirrors—designed to “superheat liquid in boilers”—literally fries feathers. 

     The USA Today reports that the intense radiation—called solar flux—has singed some birds, melted feathers, and denatured the protein in their wings as they fly through the intense heat. Unable to fly, the injured birds drop out of the sky and die. Read full column

Marita Noon: Death by Renewables

New rule extends life of state lands permits

Ray Powell

From the Carlsbad Current Argus - by By Zack Ponce - CARLSBAD >> Outdoor adventurers are receiving an early Christmas gift. The New Mexico State Land Office announced on Friday all newly-purchased recreational and educational access permits on state trust lands are valid for a full year, effective immediately.
     The revision to Rule 19 repairs a flaw in the permitting system in which prior permits expired at the end of the calendar year, regardless of the date of purchase. "That just didn't make any sense, it wasn't fair," said land commissioner Ray Powell. "These rule revisions will make some of our state trust lands more readily available to the public for hiking, photographing and other recreational activities, as well as outdoor education. We encourage people to take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy and learn in New Mexico's great outdoors."
     Additional rule changes include the expanding of educational permits. Now those group permits allow for up to 50 people to visit state trust lands for up to three days, as opposed to 25 people for a one-day trip. Annual recreation permits cost $25 and educational permits are $5 for each visit. Most of the state trust land in Eddy County is scattered about the region, away from the cities of Carlsbad and Artesia. More

New rule extends life of state lands permits

Swickard: The urgent need for urgency

© 2013 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. While I am painting with a broad brush, there does not seem to be much urgency in our nation and especially in our young people for anything. Americans are lollygagging along going trillions of dollars further in debt and only being concerned about which politician promises the best plunder for their vote.

     Americans show no urgency about our national debt which if you combine the on-book and off-books debt, it is more than half a million dollars for every man, woman and child in America. This means that every American must stop taking from the government chest and they must repay all of that money or that debt will be passed on to the next several generations.

     Being that far in debt should make every American kick the wall. But most citizens want even more debt so they can continue doing what they have being doing for years, ignoring the debt entirely. Their plan is to take the bounty from government now and leave the pain of repayment to their children.
Speaking of their children, the young people also show no urgency about this debt being laid on them. I would have to assume the lack of urgency on the debt is either out of ignorance or they, themselves, plan to leave the debt to their children. 

     These citizens think if we do not look at the national debt, it does not exist. And politicians smilingly say, “You are right, vote for me and I’ll give you more stuff from the public funds than my opponent.”

     I was talking to a college president recently. He mentioned that college students today routinely take a four year degree and turn it into six years or more of lollygagging around the campus while acquiring thousands of dollars of student loans. His concern was their lack of urgency about getting done with college and getting out into the workforce to start repaying the loans.

     I like the word urgency. It is only used in some aspects such as sports but not much in legislatures and Congress. For our legislators and leaders there is always tomorrow. Further, no matter the crisis we must wait until after the next election to fix any problems. But then there is an election after that election so no movement. Read full column

Swickard: The urgent need for urgency

Taos Ski Valley to be sold

Blake family, left,  Peter Blake, Ernie Blake, Rhoda
Blake, Mickey Blake and Wendy Blake Stagg

From the Taos News - Robin Martin - Taos Ski Valley will be sold to a billionaire conservationist. “Our net revenues are not sufficient to fund the improvements needed,” said TSV Chief Executive Officer Mickey Blake. He said construction of a new lift up Kachina Peak would have “eaten up all our cash reserves.”
     Blake said that buyer Louis Bacon has the capital to purchase new lifts, rebuild the base area and construct a hotel, all necessary improvements. “They're definitely going to do higher-end stuff,”

      Blake said.No employees will lose their jobs, he said, “it will be seamless.” Blake will step down as CEO to be replaced by Gordon Briner, now chief operations officer. Bacon said Blake will retain his seat on the company's board of directors.
     During the holidays, the ski area will be at peak employment levels, with 415 full- and 200 part-timers. Blake said 120 employees have more than 20 years of service. Bacon is founder and CEO of the hedge fund company Moore Capital Management and a resident of New York State.
     The decision to sell TSV was not sudden. “We had long discussions early in the summer that what's needed to be invested is beyond what we can come up with,” Blake said. He approached Bacon and negotiated with the investor himself.
     Included in the purchase is the Forest Service use permit for about 1,200 acres, the base area of about 100 deeded acres, 20 acres uphill at the Phoenix Restaurant, lifts, snowmaking and grooming equipment, subdivision lots at the Pioneers Glade, “and our fancy parking lot shuttles,” Blake said.
     He said the parties have signed a strict confidentiality agreement and will not disclose the price.More

Taos Ski Valley to be sold

2013 Sun Bowl: UCLA, Va. Tech fans ready to travel

From the El Paso Times - By Aaron Bracamontes  - The buzz for the 80th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl is off to a good start. This year's representative from the ACC, Virginia Tech, has a winning record and its fans are known for traveling with the team. Last year Georgia Tech came in with a 6-7 record.
     The Pac-12 representative, UCLA, is ranked in the top 25 and, unlike USC last year, the Bruins appear to be looking forward to the game. And while fans of both schools admit that it was their goal to see their teams play in a Bowl Championship Series game, they do not want to take the Sun Bowl, or their opponents, for granted.
     Roger McKee, vice-president of the UCLA Alumni-Arizona Network, wants his team to win the Sun Bowl and build on it. "We're disappointed we're not going to the Rose Bowl, but we are getting over it," he said. "Now we are looking forward to being in the Sun Bowl."
     UCLA's Den, student cheering section, has plenty of songs and traditions during games including the 8 Clap and dislike for red shirts. They even made a YouTube video to encourage students to participate. "There is a lot of talk of UCLA making a run to win the National Championship next year."
     And if Metallica's "Enter Sandman" is played before the game, Virginia Tech fans will begin to make the entire stadium jump up and down, Rippey said. "They have to play it," she said. "I've never been to a game at home or away where they didn't play it. So it is a must-play."
     Of course there is the game itself. More

2013 Sun Bowl: UCLA, Va. Tech fans ready to travel

Harry Reid's Personal Green Goldmine

Commentary by Marita Noon - We are weeks away from being fully immersed in the 2014 election cycle. Predictions abound, likening the 2014 cycle to 2010—when the House flipped from Democratic to Republican. Only this time, it is the Senate that has the potential to change. Twenty of the 33 seats up in 2014 are currently held by Democrats—more than half of whom are in trouble.
     In 2010, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was up for reelection—for his fifth term—and he was facing “a ferocious challenge.” He was “in trouble.” Remember, 2010 was the year of Tea Party victory. In light of the mounting government debt, pork barrel spending was no longer vogue. But Senator Harry Reid, apparently, didn’t get the memo. “The 71-year-old one-time boxer touted his ability to bring federal money to his home state—no one could do more,” said the HuffPost coverage of his “surprise” win.
    A May 2010 internal email addressing the need to expedite Department of Energy (DOE) green-energy loan approvals for projects in Reid’s district says: “Reid is constantly hit at home for not bringing in the federal dollars.” In the email, reported Obama bundler and former Clinton Administration staffer, Jonathan Silver, who was, at the time, the executive director of the Loan Programs Office, was to assure Reid that he anticipated “a good number of projects to be approved in the coming months.”
     Reid saw the potential in green-energy dollars before anyone else. He laid the foundation to allow him to bring home the “federal dollars.” The White House and DOE insiders helped Reid secure green-energy stimulus funds for his home state of Nevada—which he touted in his 2010 campaign. He is tied to more than $3 billion of taxpayer money—currency that created just over 200 permanent jobs. Read full column

Harry Reid's Personal Green Goldmine