New Mexico

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s long-awaited passage of an Unemployment Insurance benefits extension following weeks of partisan delays:

“While I remain outraged that Senate Republicans decided to engage in nearly a month of political gamesmanship before working with us to extend unemployment benefits for millions of laid-off American workers, I’m relieved that aid for these families is around is finally the corner.

“In New Mexico, more than 150,000 residents are jobless as a result of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Now we will finally be able to send them a financial lifeline to keeping roofs over their heads and food on their tables.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased the Senate has approved legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of New Mexicans who have been unable to find a job in this difficult economic climate.

The bill would extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in hard-hit states with unemployment levels at or above 8.5 percent. New Mexico's unemployment rate as of September was 7.7 percent, up from 4.3 percent a year ago.    » read more »

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today confirmed that the counties of Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt have been declared eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity to Texas counties, which were declared disaster areas due drought and other disasters that occurred earlier this year.

As a result of the declaration, farmers and ranchers in Lea, Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties are now eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).    » read more »

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has released over $10 million for four New Mexico projects aimed at exploring and developing new geothermal fields and research into advanced geothermal technologies. Funding comes from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

“Geothermal energy can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly form of energy production. This funding will help New Mexico take advantage of the current technology, and make investments in advancing this important technology, as well,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

October 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Navajo Tribal Utility Association will receive a $4.9 million grant to better serve its 38,000 customers.

The funding, which comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to install a “smart grid” network and data management system that will quickly identify system outages.

“This is an important investment in the Navajo Nation – one that will result in better service to the Navajo Nation Utility Association’s nearly 40,000 customers,” Bingaman said. “At the same time, this grant will help create good jobs in the area.”    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has released over $10 million for four New Mexico projects aimed at exploring and developing new geothermal fields and research into advanced geothermal technologies. Funding comes from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

“Geothermal energy can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly form of energy production. This funding will help New Mexico take advantage of the current technology, and make investments in advancing this important technology, as well,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

NM Governor Bill Richardson Applauds Administration’s Decision Not to Prosecute Licensed Medical Cannabis Patients and Producers

October 19, 2009 -- SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson today applauded President Barack Obama and the United States Department of Justice for their policy to not pursue criminal charges against licensed medical cannabis patients and producers.

The Department of Justice sent a memo to United States Attorneys today advising that they should not prosecute licensed patients and producers who are in compliance with state medical cannabis laws.    » read more »

October 17, 2009 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today proposed his adjusted plan to deal with the state budget shortfall as lawmakers head into a special budget legislative session. Governor Richardson spent the day laying out his plan to lawmakers and stressing his priorities of saving jobs and making sure education is not harmed by major cuts.

“I have made adjustments to my original budget proposal to reflect our new budget realities. But just like my original plan, this is a fiscally responsible package with minimum cuts to services and one that avoids layoffs and furloughs,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “I have made it very clear to legislators that any cuts to education must be minimal and not affect our classrooms, kids and teachers."    » read more »

Oct. 16, 2009 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today applauded a $5.8 million grant from the U.S.

Department of Education to provide services to more than 2,000 children over 3-years-old that receive early intervention services through the Department of Health’s Family Infant Toddler Program. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will help New Mexico create and retain developmental specialist and therapist jobs in communities across New Mexico.

This grant recognizes New Mexico as a national leader in early childhood services. New Mexico and Maryland were the only states to be awarded State Incentive Grant funds, which are in addition to other federal funds.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall voted (80-17) to give final passage to a key spending bill that supports New Mexico’s two national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project and a variety of key water-related projects.

The 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill is now ready to be sent to the White House for signature.    » read more »

Clovis-Area Superstation To Send NM-Produced Renewable Energy to Customers in Other States

Oct. 12, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that New Mexico will be home to the Tres Amigas Super Station, which will connect America’s three main power grids – opening the door to more efficient delivery of renewable energy through the nation’s power transmission infrastructure.

“New Mexico leads the way in green and renewable energy development,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “But we need the ability to send energy produced in New Mexico to surrounding states. Tres Amigas will break that barrier, creating a larger market for our energy.

New Mexico is proud to be chosen as the site for this unique renewable energy market hub."    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, is cosponsoring a comprehensive proposal to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers. Nearly two million out-of-work Americans face expiring benefits by the end of the year.

In August, New Mexico had an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent just up by 0.5 percent in July.

“I am committed to protecting New Mexicans who are trying to make ends meet in this tough economic climate,” said Udall. “Helping our citizens provide for their families when so many have been laid-off or lost jobs at no fault of their own should not be a political issue. I urge my colleagues to respond to the urgency of this situation and pass this legislation now.”    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ben Ray Luján joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner to announce USDA Rural Development Grants in Santa Fe and Taos. Rep. Luján traveled to each community to make the announcement. During his visit to Taos, Rep. Luján toured the Kit Carson Electric Co-operative, an economic development center and the UNM-Taos Campus to view the solar array.

In Taos, Rep. Luján and Terry Brunner announced that the Kit Carson Electric Co-operative will receive $100,000 to conduct energy audits for some of the businesses it services.    » read more »

10/07/09 -- Washington, D.C. - Wednesday, Representatives Teague, Heinrich and Lujan joined 15 of their colleagues in the House in sending a letter to the country’s major credit card companies, calling on them to pledge to not change the terms on consumer credit card accounts ahead of federal credit card reform legislation slated to go into effect early next year.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced more than $24 million in federal stimulus funds will go to schools, colleges, tribes and other agencies to improve energy efficiency all over New Mexico. The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department has awarded funding to 28 projects selected through a competitive process.    » read more »