State environment officials and leaders of Christus St. Vincent hospital are pointing fingers at each other about notifying the public that its private well was still in use, possibly causing high lead level readings over the last few years at the hospital. Today’s Santa Fe New Mexican reports environment department records show the hospital’s well has not been in use for five years, but a spokesman for the hospital yesterday said it has continued to use that well since the mid-1980s, except for a short time in 2011 when it was shut down for repairs. The New Mexican cites other deviations from rules that required the state regulators to issue notices of violation to the hospital for several years when it exceeded acceptable lead levels in its water. The story follows Sunday’s investigative article in which the New Mexican found the hospital has had unacceptable lead levels in tests taken since 2011. If the facility was using water both from city sources and its own well, that could account for the high sample levels found, according to the newspaper.
Plans will move forward to build an affordable apartment project in an industrial area off of Siler Road, now that city councilors have voted to donate five acres of city-owned land and waive fees for the complex. The governing body took the unanimous vote after an hour of discussion. Councilor Signe Lindell asked several questions about whether to put a cap on the donation. In the end the Council gave the land to the proposed live-work group and waived $400-thousand in development fees for the project. The land is worth $1.5-million, and the Arts and Creativity Center’s contribution will be about $2.2 million. Lindell’s amendment puts a cap on Santa Fe’s contribution at the land’s appraised value. Fifty of the 60-unit apartments will be rented to low-income residents.
Peabody Energy, the nation's largest coal miner, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday, as a crosscurrent of environmental, technological and economic changes continue to affect the industry. Peabody, a company founded in 1833 by 24-year-old Francis S. Peabody, will continue to operate as it moves through the bankruptcy process; however, Peabody's planned sales of its New Mexico and Colorado assets were terminated. New energy technology and tightening environmental regulations have throttled the industry and led to a wave of mine closures and job cuts. Coal still powers about a third of the U.S. electrical grid. Peabody is the fourth major U.S. coal company to file for bankruptcy over the last twelve months. Environmental groups warn the recent bankruptcy of Peabody and the other major coal companies could leave taxpayers responsible for billions in reclamation costs should coal mines start closing nationwide. A key issue is a practice called self-bonding. Self-bonding allows coal companies to promise to pay for mine cleanup instead of posting bond for mine reclamation up front. Peabody has more than $1 billion in self-bonding obligations in Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado and New Mexico. Company officials in a statement said the goal is to reduce its debts and position itself for long-term success. The coal company’s debt is said to be in excess of $6-billion. Its Kayenta coal mine in northeast Arizona employs 430 people, according to its website.
Regents for New Mexico Highlands University have voted for steep double-digit tuition hikes. The Las Vegas Optic reports that regent voted last week to increase the annual cost of attending Highlands by between $582 and $976. Regents also signed off on a new $150 per year student fee to improve campus life for students. The 12.5 percent increase means tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate who is a New Mexico resident will range from $4,800 a year to $5,550. Highlands President Sam Minner says the tuition increase was not an easy decision. Minner says the new student fees will fund the launch of a new outdoor experience program.
Sandia Peak owners want to build a mountain roller coaster to attract tourists to one of Albuquerque's top spots. Sandia Peak Ski Company and Peak Dining LLC are asking for a $9 million Industrial Revenue Bond to build the roller coaster. The money also would be used for a new restaurant, bistro and bar. Sandia Peak president Benny Abruzzo says coaster riders would start at the top of the tram, and zip down the mountain. Bernalillo County commissioners agreed Tuesday to consider financial incentives. The bond would be sold to investors and the company would pay that money back. If Sandia Peak gets the funding, they hope to complete the mountain coaster and restaurant by 2018. The U.S. Forest Service would have to approve any plans for a roller coaster.
New Mexico officials say Medicaid patients are resorting increasingly to emergency room visits for routine medical issues amid some gaps in provider networks. The Human Services Department overseeing the state's Medicaid program for the poor and disabled said Wednesday that the spike in emergency room use for routine medical conditions should not be seen as a long-term problem. Human Services Secretary Brent Earnest cites a study of California Medicaid patients that shows a spike and subsequent large decline in emergency room use. He expects to see a similar outcome in New Mexico. Emergency room costs for Medicaid patients increased by 17 percent in 2015 to $116 million from the previous year.
Legislative analysts estimate New Mexico has spent an extra $5.4 million for Medicaid and cash food assistance benefits since 2014 as a result of a long-running class action lawsuit. Staff for the Legislative Finance Committee announced Wednesday that additional benefits of $2.4 million have been paid out as a result of the 2014 ruling, with additional administrative costs. The committee warned that upcoming court hearings could result in more significant sanctions and a partial takeover of the Human Service Department. The so-called Debra Hatten-Gonzales lawsuit against the Human Service Department was brought in 1988 regarding eligibility for food stamps and Medicaid benefits.
An energy equipment company has taken steps toward opening a long-term storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in southeastern New Mexico. The News-Sun reports that Holtec International has submitted a letter of intent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission about its bid to open a $5 billion Consolidated Interim Storage Facility in Lea County. Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb says the formal notice to the NRC is the latest development in a years-long process. The company's letter to the NRC says it hopes to submit a site-specific license application by the end of November.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is traveling to New York to join GOP presidential candidates at a fundraising gala ahead of that state's Republican primary. A spokesman for Martinez says she left on Wednesday for New York City. The Republican Party of New York is paying for her trip. Martinez had campaigned briefly for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio before he dropped out, and has not indicated which remaining candidate she favors. On Friday, Martinez plans to travel on to Palm Beach, Florida, for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association. She is the chairwoman of the GOP fundraising group. The governors association will pay for travel to the event.
A former Japanese ambassador to Brazil and Spain is leading a delegation to New Mexico to talk about investment in the state. Ambassador Ken Shimanouchi is scheduled Friday and Saturday to visit Albuquerque and speak about increased trade opportunities. He also is expected to talk about changes in Japanese society, and how Japan is tackling the issue of its aging society. Officials say Japan is the 4th largest export destination for New Mexico with exports to Japan totaling $74 million.