Energy

Verus® Research Hires Melissa Sisneros As New Technical Director For Nuclear Test Environments

by

Melissa Sisneros

VERUS RESEARCH News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Verus® Research, a New Mexico-based team of scientists and engineers specializing in advanced research and technology development, announces the appointment of Melissa Sisneros as the company’s technical director for nuclear test environments.

A major focus of Sisneros’ work will be the successful fielding of the Orthrus neutron and gamma test capability on behalf of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division. Sisneros joins Verus Research after a successful career at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) as a senior technical Read More

PRC To Host Workshop With Investor-Owned Utilities On Resource Adequacy For Upcoming Peak Energy Demands

by

PRC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) will hold a special workshop 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, to hear from the state’s three investor-owned utility companies (Public Service Company of New Mexico, El Paso Electric Company and Southwestern Public Service Company).

The state’s three investor-owned utility companies will discuss resource adequacy in preparation of upcoming energy demands:

  • In the summer of 2023;
  • The winter of 2023-2024;
  • The summer of 2024;
  • The winter of 2024-2025; and
  • The summer of 2025.

This workshop will be held in person and online. Read More

Orphan Well Clean Up Accelerating In New Mexico Thanks To Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding

by

Plugging crew gathers at an orphan well. Courtesy/EMNRD

OCD SE NM Inspections Supervisor Gilbert Cordero witnessing methane monitoring at an orphan well. Courtesy/EMNRD 

EMNRD News:

SANTA FE — Over the past several months, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) has made a major positive impact on the environment by beginning to plug orphan oil and gas wells across the state using funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Since September 2022, EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division has prevented more than 46,000 kilograms per year of methane from Read More

Luján, Stansbury Welcome First-Ever DOE Foundation For Energy Security And Innovation

by

Congressional News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) welcomed Monday the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) first-ever agency-related Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI).

During the 117th Congress, Luján and Stansbury introduced the Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation to establish a nonprofit foundation for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would channel private-sector investments to support DOE’s mission and to accelerate the commercialization of innovative Read More

NNSA Approves Start Of Construction For Plutonium Pit Production Subproject At Los Alamos National Laboratory

by

Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Dr. Marvin Adams

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) reached an important milestone on the Los Alamos Plutonium Pit Production Project (LAP4), approving Critical Decision-2/3 – Approve Performance Baseline/Approve Start of Construction – for the 30 Base Equipment Installation subproject.

LAP4 is an integral part of NNSA’s plan to re-establish the nation’s capability to produce plutonium pits for its nuclear weapons modernization program, a capability lost when Read More

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Signs MOU With DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership

by

PRC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP), a nationwide coalition of stakeholders working to make affordable renewable energy available to a wide spectrum of utility customers through community solar projects.

As a collaborative working group partner with the NCSP, the PRC will have access to a nationwide support network of community solar stakeholders, technical and analytical assistance, and other resources as it Read More

Heinrich Continues Charge To Make Widespread Electrification A Reality In Every Community At PowerUP Expo In Las Cruces

by

Courtesy photo

 

Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

LAS CRUCES, NM — Jan. 20, 2023, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, joined local leaders to highlight the benefits of electrification during the first-ever “PowerUP Las Cruces Expo and Training.”

“I am thrilled that New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College, the City of Las Cruces, El Paso Electric, Mitsubishi, Metro Verde and others are partnering to convene this first ever PowerUP Expo to showcase the benefits of electrification. Electrifying our homes and Read More

DOE Issues Final Rule On Part 810 Civil Penalties

by

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, establishing procedures for the assessment and imposition of civil penalties for certain violations of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

It strengthens the Department’s ability to enforce regulations governing exports of unclassified civil nuclear technology. 

“DOE believes that U.S. companies generally comply with the Part 810 regulation, and this Final Rule does not alter its scope. Instead, the Final Rule establishes procedures for DOE to impose monetary civil

Read More

IIASA: Turning Abandoned Mines Into Batteries

by

Underground Gravity Energy Storage system: a schematic of different system sections. Courtesy/IIASA

IIASA News:

Renewable energy sources are central to the energy transition toward a more sustainable future.

However, as sources like sunshine and wind are inherently variable and inconsistent, finding ways to store energy in an accessible and efficient way is crucial. While there are many effective solutions for daily energy storage, the most common being batteries, a cost-effective long-term solution is still lacking.

In a new IIASA-led study, an international team of researchers Read More

BPU To Consider Nuclear-Powered Los Alamos

by

Courtesy/DPU

COUNTY News:

Energy generation comes in many shapes and sizes, some of which leave lasting carbon footprints and others that don’t. One type of future generation that aims to power cities fully without polluting the environment with carbon involves Small Modular Reactors (SMR)—or nuclear energy.

The public is invited to attend an informational workshop on the subject 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, during the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) monthly work session.

Los Alamos County is a partner in the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), spearheaded by the Utah Associated Municipal Read More