Energy

Outstanding STEM Student Award Winners Honored At Nuclear Museum’s Einstein Gala

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Will Boone, Bosque School

NMNSH News:

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, a congressionally chartered, Smithsonian-affiliated Museum recognized Holly Steen, a junior at Eldorado High School, and Will Boone, a senior at Bosque School for their submitted essays on their connection to science, technology, and engineering and mathematics.

The students were recognized at the Museum’s Einstein Gala held March 16, 2024.

“Both Holly and Will are exemplary models of students focused on STEM studies and careers,” said Jennifer Hayden, President and CEO at the National Museum Read More

NNSA Co-Hosts International Symposium On Insider Threat Mitigation In Brussels

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NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby gestures during a panel discussion at the Second International Symposium on Insider Threat Mitigation, March 5, 2024. Courtesy/NNSA

NNSA News: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Belgian Federal Agency on Nuclear Control (FANC) co-hosted the Second International Symposium on Insider Threat Mitigation in Brussels, Belgium March 5-7.

The theme of the symposium was “Expect the Unexpected: Exploring Multidisciplinary Approaches to Insider Threat Mitigation,” and it showcased how Read More

DPU Announces Drop In Upcoming Gas Charges

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COUNTY News:

Natural gas customers of the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will see a drop in their gas charges on their upcoming bills as the department has collected the full amount intended under its temporary gas recovery charge.

The $0.44/therm charge was a sunsetting mechanism to cover a $2.2 million shortfall that occurred when commodity gas costs spiked from December 2022 through February 2023.

This charge was approved by the Los Alamos County Council last March and DPU began billing it in April.

“Our cycle 10 customers will be the first to notice the recovery charge has Read More

N3B Performs Robust Sampling, Monitoring To Drive Legacy Waste Cleanup At Los Alamos National Laboratory

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Groundwater monitoring studies began in 1945 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Today, workers collect nearly 2,300 groundwater samples annually. The groundwater samples are collected from a network of more than 200 monitoring wells located on LANL, Pueblo de San Ildefonso, Los Alamos County and Santa Fe County property. The sampling helps ensure water drawn for human consumption meets all federal and state drinking water standards. Courtesy/N3B

The low-head weir pictured is one of many storm water controls that help prevent contaminated sediment from being transported downstream. Read More

2024 REDI Summit March 5 At Buffalo Thunder Resort

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REDI News:

Supporting local area communities to reach their economic development goals, the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) announces that the 2024 REDI Summit is right around the corner. Read background here.

It’s 10 a.m. to 1L30 p.m. March 5, following Los Alamos National Laboratory’s, Community Partnerships Office’s Community Conversation.

The purpose of the REDI Summit is to review the 2023 Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Plan update and to roll up our sleeves and provide input on strategies to fuel job creation, economic growth, and improve standards Read More

BLM Seeks Comment On Additional Analysis Of 2020 Oil & Gas Lease Sales In New Mexico

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BLM News:

SANTA FE — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seeks comment on additional analysis of parcels challenged in court after being included in the February 2020 Rio Puerco Field Office and Farmington Field Office oil and gas lease sales

BLM’s December 2020 decision to approve the lease sales was challenged in court, as was a subsequent decision based on updated analysis. BLM agreed to review the analyses supporting its decision. These new analyses provide more information relevant to BLM’s decision making and public disclosure process informed by public comments received from Dec. Read More

County Renewable Revolution: New Solar And Battery Contracts Set To Double Clean Electricity Supply

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Solar farm. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

With a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Los Alamos County Council approved the Foxtail Flats Solar and Storage agreements, putting Los Alamos County on an accelerated trajectory toward meeting its goal to be a net carbon-neutral energy provider by 2040.

The Council unanimously approved agreements for 170 MW of solar power from the Four Corners Area and 80 MW of battery storage.

In 2016, the Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities (BPU) set a goal for the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to become a carbon-neutral electrical energy provider by 2040. DPU Read More

Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Padilla, Rosen, Cortez Masto Push For Significant Investments In Geothermal Energy

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations leadership calling for $118 million for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office to be included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Appropriations Bill.

The letter further requests that the bill specify at least $100 million Read More

Second Public Meeting Feb. 15 For Proposed Transmission Line Upgrade Project At Los Alamos National Laboratory

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DOE/NNSA News:

The Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and cooperating agencies will hold a second public meeting 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, regarding the Los Alamos National Laboratory Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project Draft Environmental Assessment (DOE/EA-2199) (EA).

The public meeting will take place at Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Room, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87508. The meeting will start with a poster information session at 4 p.m., followed at 4:30 p.m. by a presentation on the draft EA and a comment period.

A hybrid Read More

Students Speak Up At 2024 STEAM Day At The Legislature

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LANL Foundation News:

SANTA FE — Hundreds of students flocked to the Roundhouse Thursday to advocate for STEAM education across New Mexico at this year’s STEAM Day at the Legislature, hosted by LANL Foundation.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education is a vital part of getting our state ready for the future. Every student in New Mexico should have access to STEAM education so they can developthe knowledge, skills, and practices demanded by the 21st Century.

Student speakers joined legislators Rep. Susan Herrera, Rep. Joseph Sanchez, and Sen. Leo Jaramillo Read More