New Mexico

August 31, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that New Mexico, supported by many partners, has filed an application for tens of millions in federal stimulus dollars to create a new, clean way to deliver electricity to homes and businesses in New Mexico using “smart grid” technology.

The New Mexico Green Grid Initiative aims to reduce peak power use by 25 percent; increase energy efficiency by 6 percent; and deliver 25 percent of electricity from renewable energy by 2020, among other improvements to the state’s electric power grid. The project would add significant renewable energy resources to the power grid, and enable small communities to export clean energy.    » read more »

July 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that six Native American communities in New Mexico will share nearly $5 million for water improvements. Funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service.

“This nearly $5 million investment of stimulus funding will be used to improve water infrastructure in six communities in New Mexico. It will create good jobs in the short term, and provide long-lasting quality of life improvements in communities where they are badly needed,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

PNM & EnerNOC agreement part of state’s smart energy management

July 8, 2009 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced the State of New Mexico is working to cut energy use during peak demand periods by participating in PNM’s PeakSaver program operated by EnerNOC.

“The State of New Mexico is committed to exploring new and innovative ways to make our energy use smarter and more efficient,” Governor Richardson said. “This partnership will play a key role in our Lead by Example Initiative and will relieve some of the strain on our electric grid during peak energy use periods."

Governor Richardson’s “Lead by Example” Initiative calls for all Executive Branch state agencies to reduce their energy usage by 20% below 2005 levels by 2015.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of New Mexico’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $213 million is now available for New Mexico under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. New Mexico will be eligible to apply for another $105 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per New Mexico’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Additional $105 Million will be Available in Fall

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON –New Mexico’s Congressional delegation today announced that $213 million is now available for state schools and education through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding will be dedicated to help save teaching jobs and support state and local efforts to reform and improve the public education system in the state.

New Mexico has already received $97 million in education stimulus funds — representing a combination of funding for Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Vocational Rehabilitation Grants, Independent Living Grants and Impact Aid.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today applauded President Barack Obama for signing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law. As New Mexico Attorney General, Udall successfully sued the tobacco industry and in Congress has been a strong proponent of legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products. Click here to see his speech from the Senate floor, urging passage of this bill.

“After more than a decade of fighting to protect children from tobacco,” said Udall, “I am pleased that this law paves the way for commonsense regulation of this dangerous product.”    » read more »

Measure Contains Funding for Border Region, N.M. Air Force Bases & Labs

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today reported that Congress has given final approval to legislation that contains funding for border security.

The measure, which is now headed to the White House, contains $250 million to combat violence and drug trafficking, of which $140 million is for the Department of Homeland Security to hire additional law enforcement and intelligence personnel, and to pay overtime for those already working along the border.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- SANTA FE- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment today announced the approval of an additional $16.1 million worth of local road and transit construction projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 14 projects are located in Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Luna, Curry, Roosevelt, Eddy, Lea, Otero, Sandoval and Valencia counties.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today honored the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers and celebrated the service of three who have passed away in the last month. Willie Begay, Thomas Claw and John Brown, Jr. were celebrated on the Senate floor for their dedication and service to America during World War II. Below is the text of Udall’s speech and to watch the video click HERE.

“Mr. President, I rise today to mark a solemn moment for the Navajo Nation and for our country.

“In the past month, three of America’s veterans passed away—Willie Begay, Thomas Claw and John Brown, Jr. These men were members of the small group of Marines known as the Navajo Code Talkers. Their story is one of the most compelling in American military history.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman reported today that two New Mexico Pueblos will share over $2 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise will receive $1.5 million and Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority will receive $939,337 to help provide affordable housing in their communities.

“Quality, affordable housing is out of reach for many people in our state and the problem is especially prevalent on tribal lands. I am pleased that the federal government is making an investment in Laguna and Isleta Pueblo,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

June 15, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Secretary of Education Veronica C. García today announced that the New Mexico Public Education Department has awarded or will award more than $250 million in federal stimulus funds for schools throughout New Mexico.

The money includes general operation funds for the 2009-10 school year, funds for special education programs, money to programs that serve disadvantaged children, grants for school lunch equipment, and funds for homeless students.    » read more »

Governor Bill Richardson Breaks Ground on I-40 Paseo Del Volcan Stimulus Project

June 10, 2009 --
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, joined by state and local officials, broke ground today on the Interstate 40 Paseo del Volcan stimulus project, a $27 million dollar project that is the fourth transportation project funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to get underway in New Mexico.    » read more »

Udall: Digital Television Transition Just Three Days Away; Senator Reminds New Mexico Consumers DTV change happens this week

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. today reminded New Mexico TV consumers that this Friday, June 12, is the day the United States will transition to digital television (DTV). On that day, all full power television stations will stop broadcasting in analog signal and begin broadcasting on digital airwaves. Consumers using antennas or “rabbit ears” to watch free, over-the-air television must obtain a digital converter box or risk losing reception after the transition occurs. Consumers who subscribe to cable or satellite TV, or those with a converter box for their analog TV will continue to receive television signal.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Roswell International Airport will receive $540,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Funding will be used to rehabilitate taxiways C and H.

“Roswell’s new service to Dallas continues to be a success," Bingaman said. “This funding will help the airport make the needed improvement to help ensure continued service.”

Last month, American Eagle announced that it will add four nonstop flights per week from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Roswell International Air Center. The new service is scheduled to begin in August 2009.

Source: Senator Jeff Bingaman

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – A resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, which designates July 25, 2009, as a day recognizing the “American Cowboy”, has passed the Senate.

The Senate resolution acknowledges the role of ranchers in the development of the West. It states that ranchers embody our nation’s strong work ethic, are good stewards of the environment, and play a major role in our nation’s economy. This year American Cowboy day is July 25, 2009.    » read more »