New Mexico regulators could halt ride-booking services Lyft and Uber as officials remain unsure what to do with the companies amid outdated state rules. The Public Regulation Commission is scheduled Wednesday to decide whether to order the ride-booking services to stop operating in New Mexico after complaints from traditional taxi companies. Last year, the commission ordered Lyft to cease operations in Albuquerque, where the company had launched its service. But a district judge in Santa Fe refused to enforce the commission's cease-and-desist order, allowing the company to operate in the state capital. San Francisco-based Lyft and Uber use smartphone programs to connect people seeking rides with people who have cars. The commission also is expected to vote on rules that would allow the services to operate but critics say new state laws were needed instead.
New Mexico's largest electric provider is defending its plan to replace part of an aging coal-fired power plant with a mix of more coal, natural gas, nuclear and solar power. Critics say the plan isn't in the best interest of ratepayers. But Public Service Co. of New Mexico said Monday in a filing with state regulators that rejecting the plan could jeopardize the continued operation of the San Juan Generating Station and end up costing customers more. A hearing examiner recommended earlier this month that PNM's plan not be approved unless changes are made. He pointed to uncertainty surrounding the ownership makeup of the plant and a lack of a coal contract beyond 2017.
Meantime, PNM’s customers have voiced overwhelming opposition to the utility’s proposed plan that includes a rate hike ranging between 12 and 16-percent. And Attorney General Hector Balderas now plans to review PNM’s rationale for the proposed increase. Assistant AG for Environmental Protection, ChollaKhoury says Balderas is also questioning the utility’s plan to charge fees to people who’ve installed solar generators. *****042115-Khoury-1 :25***** Assistant Attorney General ChollaKhoury.
Some Taos County residents are upset over the transformation of a residential road to a de facto bypass. It includes a stretch of road in Lower Ranchitos near Taos that connects the Middle Road and the south part of town with the roads that feed the Taos bedroom communities including Los Cordovas and Blueberry Hill. Because there is no official bypass that allows people to avoid the traffic, people familiar with Taos know which routes to take to avoid traffic. For example, a stretch of road on Callejon (Ky-yah-HONE), has become a congested thoroughfare -- especially during peak travel times. Albino Martinez is one of the residents who have experienced personal damage to property. *****042215-AMartinez :26***** Taos County has put speed bumps on the road in to curb speeders, but the road is perceived as dangerous and trash accumulation has become a problem. A neighborhood cleanup for the Callejon neighborhood has been planned for Saturday, May second, beginning at 9:30 a.m. starting at Martinez Hacienda on Highway 240.
Unofficial election results that show Russell Begaye will be the new President of the Navajo Nation. KOB-TV reports that Begaye drew more than 10-thousand more votes than his counterpart, Joe Shirley, Jr. Jonathan Nez – a three-time Navajo Nation Council delegate - will serve as Begaye's vice president. The Navajo Times reports that only 37 percent of 130,000 registered Navajo voters cast a ballot, according Election Administration Director Edison Wauneka. The long-awaited election had been in limbo since November after former candidate Chris Deschene, who won a presidential primary last summer, was removed from the ballot over questions about his fluency in the Navajo language. Begaye previously served on the Navajo Nation Council and replaced Deschene when he was disqualified.
It's been an open secret around Albuquerque for months. But the New Mexico Film Office finally announced Tuesday that filming will begin next month on the sequel to the alien invasion movie, "Independence Day." In the sequel, the nations of Earth anticipate the invaders' return and collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet only to see the aliens return with vengeance. The film will star Liam Hemsworth and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Returning from the first film will be Vivica Fox and Bill Pullman. The announcement comes after production of the alien sequel had been known for months in Albuquerque. Yet the production crew was ordered to remain silent so the New Mexico Film Office could make the nnouncement.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow with highs in the mid-60s. There’s a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms, which could produce gusty winds. Tonight: partly cloudy, with a low around 40