By Hannah Grover The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority released its annual consumer confidence report last week. The report details the water quality in 2024, including levels of heavy metals, bacteria and turbidity. Utility customers will receive the report in the mail. The report shows that the water it provides customers is safe to […]
Environment, Climate & Conservation
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, New Mexico Statewide News, Uncategorized
New Mexico’s investor-owned utilities talk wildfire preparedness, prevention
By Hannah Grover New Mexico’s three investor-owned utilities outlined steps they are taking to prevent wildfires during a New Mexico Public Regulation Commission workshop Thursday afternoon. Two of the utilities — the Public Service Company of New Mexico and Southwestern Public Service Company — have submitted voluntary fire mitigation plans to the state regulators and […]
Posted inEdgewood, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Edgewood to revisit contentious Campbell Ranch development
Staff report The Town of Edgewood Planning and Zoning Commissioners are set to hold another hearing regarding the proposed Campbell Ranch development on May 15 at 6 p.m. in the town’s commission chambers. This hearing follows a series of decisions and reversals regarding the large-scale development. The proposed Campbell Ranch development encompasses over 8,000 acres […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, New Mexico Statewide News
Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative reflects on recent wildfires, plan for the future
By Hannah Grover Les Montoya, general manager of the Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative, reflected on the utility’s experience during the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire of 2022 and discussed wildfire preparedness initiatives on Thursday during a workshop discussion. The workshop was part of a series hosted by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The Hermits Peak/Calf […]
Reader-supported
Feds say there’s a ‘serious defect’ in listing the lesser prairie chicken as endangered
By Hannah Grover The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior asked a federal district court to send the listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act back to the agencies as they plan to vacate the listing. Industry groups, including the Permian Basin Petroleum Association as […]
Posted in+Communities, Environment, Climate & Conservation
Hook, Line and Therapy
By Michael Hodock Doc Thompson is a trout devotee, to say the least. Like most New Mexicans, he cares about his community and tries his best to help out where he can. What’s special about Thompson is he figured out a way to combine those two passions, making a difference in the lives of people […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, New Mexico Statewide News
Forest Service official says agency will need help from state, community partners
By Hannah Grover U.S. Forest Service Acting Associate Chief Chris French said his agency will need assistance from state and community partners amid budget cuts and staff departures. French answered questions during a U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry this week during a hearing on the Fix Our Forests Act. The Fix Our […]
Washington Post
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, National News, New Mexico Statewide News, Syndicated
Park Service suspends air-quality monitoring at all national parks
Authors: Maxine Joselow Park Service suspends air-quality monitoring at all national parks The Trump administration has temporarily suspended an air-quality monitoring program at national parks across the country, according to an internal email obtained by The Washington Post and two people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, Estancia
Estancia’s water situation is improving, but conservation is still needed
By Hannah Grover When the Town of Estancia sent out a notice asking residents to conserve water, there was approximately 18 feet in its storage tank and about 3 feet in the Torrance County Detention Center’s storage tank. Now Mayor Nathan Dial said the town has 38 feet of water in its storage tank and […]
Posted inEnvironment, Climate & Conservation, Sandoval County
Sandoval County opens public review for 2025 Wildfire Protection Plan
Staff report Sandoval County has announced the start of the public review period for its 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which began May 5 and will continue until May 19. The 2025 Sandoval County CWPP, an update to the 2012 plan, was prepared by Sandoval County and SWCA Environmental Consultants, with input from other […]