Environment

Earth Day Feature: Beaming Solar Power From Satellite Array

The image depicts AFRL’s Space Solar Power Incremental and Demonstrations Research Project beaming solar power from space to earth. SSPIDR consists of several small-scale flight experiments that will mature technology needed to build a prototype solar power distribution system. Courtesy/AFRL

AFRL News:

KIRTLAND AFB – In honor of Earth Day, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is highlighting its efforts towards harnessing the Sun’s energy, converting it to Radio Frequency (RF) energy, and beaming it to the Earth—providing a green power source for U.S. and allied forces. 

Key technologies Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich And Rep. Sean Casten Announce Bicameral Bill To Recharge Electric Transmission Planning

Congressional News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) welcomed bicameral momentum for a bill he reintroduced last month, the Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act of 2021 to help bolster the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) interregional transmission planning process.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) introduced the companion bill Tuesday in the House. 

The bill, first introduced by Senator Heinrich in 2019, directs FERC to explicitly consider multiple benefits: economic, reliability, operational, public policy, and environmental, Read More

Daily Postcard: Fruit Trees Blooming On Barranca Mesa

Daily Postcard: Peach trees blooming Saturday on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan

Cherry blossoms show spring is here despite cold weather Saturday. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan

Red apple tree shows signs of blooming Saturday on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan Read More

SFNF Issues New Closure Order For Jemez Cave

SFNF News:

SANTA FE —  The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has reissued a closure order that prohibits the public from entering Jemez Cave and closes public access to trails that lead to the cave as well as the area immediately surrounding it.

This closure order, which replaces one issued in 2019, is effective until April 30, 2023, unless it is rescinded earlier.

Jemez Cave is located on the Jemez Ranger District in the Soda Dam Geologic Special Interest Area adjacent to NM Highway 4. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Jemez Cave is culturally significant to the Pueblo of Jemez and Read More

Angel Fire Resort Opens Summer Season May 14

Angel Fire Resort’s high-altitude, 18-hole golf course at 8,600′ elevation is tucked beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offers views of Wheeler Peak and plenty of wildlife. Courtesy/Angel Fire Resort

Angel Fire Resort News:

ANGEL FIRE — Angel Fire Resort in the Southern Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico, has announced the summer season lineup of activities that start May 14.

For those looking for outdoor adventure in a scenic mountain town, Angel Fire Resort has carved out a family-friendly packed summer schedule. 

“We realize that many people have gone through so much Read More

County Notice Of Possible Quorum: April 21, 2021

COUNTY News:

Notice: Members of the Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy & Sustainability Task Force may attend the food waste prevention presentation, 6:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 via zoom.

A quorum may be present, however no action will be taken. Read More

NNSA Los Alamos Field Office Announces Public Scoping Period For LANL Electrical Upgrade Project

NNSA News:

The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Los Alamos Field Office has issued a Public Notice regarding its intent to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

The purpose is to upgrade the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) electrical power capacity by constructing and operating a new 115 Kilovolt (kV) power transmission line and by upgrading LANL’s existing electrical infrastructure.

With this notice, DOE/NNSA and the United States Forest Service Santa Fe National Read More

On The Job In White Rock: Annual Tree Trimming

On the job Friday afternoon is a tree trimmer working high up from his perch in a cherry picker cutting off branches at a residence on Grand Canyon Drive in White Rock. #worklosalamos #wherediscoveriesaremade. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Tree trimming operation underway Friday on Grand Canyon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

New Mexico Environmental Groups Praise Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s Executive Orders On Climate, Energy

SIERRA CLUB News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Interior Secretary Haaland Friday issued two executive orders prioritizing action on climate change and revoking Trump administration policies promoting fossil fuel development over the health of communities and the outdoors.

The orders ensure that the social cost of carbon and other climate pollution is considered in decision making, and instructs agencies within the Department of the Interior not to adhere to the Trump-era regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

They also focus on economic justice and a just transition Read More

Daily Postcard: Chipping Sparrow Visits Garden Pond

Daily Postcard: A Chipping Sparrow visits a pond at a residence Wednesday on Barranca Mesa. This crisp, pretty sparrow has a bright rufous cap that both provides a splash of color and makes adults fairly easy to identify. Chipping Sparrows are common across North America wherever trees are interspersed with grassy openings. Their loud, trilling songs are one of the most common sounds of spring woodlands and suburbs. Source: www.allaboutbirds.org. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan Read More

New Mexico PRC Names April ‘Safe Digging Month’

PRC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has voted unanimously to name the month of April “Safe Digging Month” to promote safe excavation activities around the state of New Mexico.

The National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners encourages promotion of April as National Safe Digging Month nationwide.

The PRC Transportation Division Pipeline Safety Bureau is an active proponent of the 811 one-call service. One easy phone call to 811 a few days before any digging project quickly begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked for free. Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, Senate Democrats Call On Biden Administration To Undo Changes To National Monuments

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with 18 of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urging her recommend that President Biden undo any unlawful attacks on the Antiquities Act.

Since 1906, 16 presidents from both parties have used the Antiquities Act to protect places across the nation.

“From Chaco Canyon in New Mexico to Harriet Tubman’s house in Maryland, the Antiquities Act has long protected key landscapes Read More

Daily Postcard: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Bathes In Local Pond

Daily Postcard: A male Ruby-crowned Kinglet is spotted Wednesday morning bathing in a pond at a residence on Barranca Mesa. These are restless, acrobatic birds that move quickly through foliage, typically at lower and middle levels. Source: www.allaboutbirds.org. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan

A male Ruby-crowned Kinglet visits a pond Wednesday on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan 

A male Ruby-crowned Kinglet visits a pond Wednesday on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan Read More

County: Feral Cow Roundup Gets Underway Monday

A feral bull was spotted in February crossing N.M. 4 near the Truck Route. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County will begin Monday, April 19, the operations to safely and humanely remove feral cattle from Bayo and Pueblo Canyons.

The cattle are impacting the safety of drivers on local roads, damaging cultural sites and have been aggressive to recreation users in the County.

For the safety of our recreational users and contractors, the Bayo and Pueblo Canyon Trails will be closed beginning April 19. Also, access from the N.M. 502 gate into Pueblo Canyon will be Read More

LANL Invites Public To Earth Day Events April 19-22

LANL celebrates Earth Day with a week of workshops, presentations and tips. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is celebrating the 51st anniversary of Earth Day with a week of workshops, presentations, and tips on the greening of homes and the community.

This year’s Earth Week theme is “Holding Our World Together” and encompasses family, community, and the environment. Tune in to a week of speakers April 19-22 to help community members learn more about sustainability, recycling, reduced use of materials and more.

On Thursday, April 22, join Director Emeritus Terry Wallace Read More

Lower Portion Of Pacheco Canyon Road Reopens Today

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Forest Road (FR) 102, also known as Pacheco Canyon Road, reopens today to motorized and foot traffic.

FR 102 has been closed since last August when lightning sparked the Medio Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres in the Rio Nambe and Rio en Medio drainages on the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).

Although the lower portion of FR 102 is open to the junction of FR 412, the gates that allow access to the upper portion of FR 102 will stay locked until snow is no longer a hazard.

While FR 102 is open to traffic, a closure order implemented during the Medio Read More

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