Public Regulation Commissioner Patrick Lyons says he will not recuse himself from the case involving the closure of two units at a coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico.Lyons denied accusations that he had any improper communication with Public Service Company of New Mexico, the utility that operates the San Juan Generating Station. The Santa Fe environmental group New Energy Economy had sought his recusal. Lyons said in a filing this week with the commission that he has not prejudged the case and will be able to make a fair and impartial decision. The commission began taking testimony Monday on a proposal that calls for shutting down part of San Juan to curb haze-causing pollution and replacing the lost power with a mix of coal-fired generation, nuclear power, natural gas and solar.
New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich on Thursday voted against advancing legislation to approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Democrat spoke during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. *****010915-Heinrich-1 :29***** Heinrich is a member of the Climate Action Task Force, is a lead proponent of reversing the effects of climate change and an advocate for developing homegrown energy resources. Despite his vote against, the Senate panel moved ahead with legislation to approve construction of the pipeline. President Obama has indicated he will veto the measure when it gets to his desk.
Newly elected New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas on Thursday announced the creation of a new criminal affairs division in the A-G’s office. The state’s new top cop also announced plans to take an aggressive approach towards child molesters. *****010915-Balderas-2 :16***** Balderas also says he is reviewing the practice of allowing private lawyers to file lawsuits on behalf of the AG's office. Balderas said Thursday that he was aware of a New York Times story in December that showed how more attorneys general are hiring private law firms to file lawsuits. The story, which featured former New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, reported that some of the private lawyers also donated to campaigns of attorneys general. Balderas says he would examine whether the practice compromised the integrity of the office and will decide if his office should "reform any process."
A Dulce man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter.Prosecutors say 24-year-old Isaiah Dean Trujillo also was sentenced Thursday to three years of supervised release. Trujillo was arrested in the case last May. Authorities say two women died from injuries sustained during the rollover crash and two other passengers were hurt within the Jicarilla Apache Nation in April 2013. Prosecutors say Trujillo was the driver of the vehicle and was intoxicated at the time of the incident. In his plea agreement, Trujillo admitted to driving more than 70 mph on a road with a 35-mph speed limit after drinking a large amount of alcohol.Trujillo pleaded guilty to two involuntary manslaughter charges last March.
A patch of rough weather over the Pacific Ocean has forced two veteran pilots trying to break a pair of records to delay the launch of their helium-filled balloon. Albuquerque pilot Troy Bradley and colleague LeonidTiukhtyaev (Too-Tie-ev) of Russia planned to lift off from Saga, Japan. Their team at mission control in Albuquerque said Thursday the pilots do not want to compromise their safety and are watching for a break in the weather. The pilots are aiming for the shores of North America, an attempt that puts them on course to break the ballooning distance record of 5,208 miles. They're also looking to break the flight-duration record set in 1978 when Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman made the first trans-Atlantic balloon flight.
Acoma Pueblo says it has reached an agreement with New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez's administration on a gambling compact. Tribal officials say the deal would increase the percentage of revenue it shares with the state from operating a casino on Interstate 40 west of Albuquerque. Acoma Tribal Secretary Jonathan Sims says officials feel confident their proposed deal will win approval from the state Legislature during its 60-day session that convenes Jan. 20 in Santa Fe. Under the Acoma's current compact expiring in June, the tribe shares 8 percent of its revenue from slot machines at its Sky City Casino. Under the proposed new 22-year compact, the revenue sharing would increase to eight-and-a-half percent and incrementally rise to nine-and-a-half percent through the term of the pact.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny with a slight chance for snow before 11am—the high today near 32. Tonight: partly cloudy with the overnight low, 22. Tomorrow, Mostly sunny and a bit warmer with the high near 43.