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Voter approval of constitutional amendments
key to better
results from schools & students
Domenici urges voters
to say yes in September
ALBUQUERQUE - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici on Wednesday stepped up his support
for two constitutional amendments aimed at promoting educational excellence
in New Mexico schools, saying favorable votes in September will increase the
likelihood that the No Child Left Behind reforms will work in the state.
Domenici on Wednesday joined Governor Bill Richardson, former Republican
Governor Garrey Carruthers, and Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater
Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, to kick off a public awareness campaign in
favor of the two constitutional amendments.
Voters go to the polls Sept. 23 to consider changes to the New Mexico
constitution.
“I have reviewed the underlying finances of this proposal and I believe they
are sound and that the permanent fund will not be adversely impacted,”
Domenici said.
“Indeed, I will make the case that by improving education in our state, we
will see an improved economy and ultimately, the permanent fund will
actually be better off with this proposal,” Domenici said. “What these
education proposals will accomplish, in my opinion, is three critical things
- better pay, better efficiency and better results.”
“Better results means our children can stay here in New Mexico, get a good
education and get good jobs. These aren’t partisan or political goals. They
are the basic goals that our citizens want and deserve,” he said.
“I am convinced these amendments will give our teachers, administrators and
students a better opportunity to make education reforms work in New Mexico.
I have so much hope in the No Child Left Behind education improvements, and
these constitutional amendments will give the state additional resources to
make them work for our children and their teachers,” he said.
One constitutional amendment calls for the creation of a cabinet-level
Secretary of Education. The second amendment would allow the state to
increase distributions from the New Mexico Land Grant Permanent Fund to pay
for school reforms.
“I believe this will help pay for the raises that could bring New Mexico up
from 48th in the country to 34th in teacher pay. The
No Child Left Behind law will make teachers more accountable. It will make
the secretary of education, and ultimately, the governor, more accountable,”
Domenici said.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-7-03) |
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VA announces homeless
program per diem awards
WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) on Wednesday identified recipients of up to $8 million in per
diem awards as part of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
Recipients are community and faith-based
organizations, as well as state and local governments that provide critical
services to homeless veterans.
"President Bush is committed to ending chronic
homelessness in America in 10 years and these awards will further the
President's commitment," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J.
Principi.
The 44 separate awards just announced will help
offset the operating expenses of existing programs that provide supported
housing or services for homeless veterans in 25 states.
The awardees were selected in a competitive
process from about 150 applications. VA provides separate grants for capital
projects involving new construction or renovation of existing facilities.
Seven awards were to providers in five states VA
had targeted as areas where homeless veterans' needs are most underserved.
The selected programs are located in Idaho, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire
and Wyoming.
Although VA did not receive any applications from
programs affiliated with Indian tribal governments - also one of VA's
targeted groups – several awardees do provide service to Native American
veterans.
The selected programs will receive up to $26.95
per day for each eligible veteran provided care. About 30 percent of the
award recipients are faith-based providers.
In addition to the grant and per diem program, VA
administers special health care assistance programs that offer clinical
outreach, case management and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
and conducts outreach to provide benefits counseling and referrals to other
VA programs.
In the past nine years, VA's Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program has awarded nearly 315 grants totaling $63
million to public and nonprofit groups to establish transitional housing and
service centers and to purchase vans to provide transportation to services
and employment for homeless veterans.
The entire program has awarded grants to
organizations in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
With the addition of this per diem award, the
program now supports nearly 7,000 beds that are available to
homeless veterans.
"VA's homeless program awards make a real
difference in the lives of thousands of homeless veterans each year," said
Principi, "but we will not rest until the President's goal of ending chronic
homelessness is achieved."
A complete listing of the 2003 Per Diem award
recipients and the locations where homeless veterans receive services are as
follows:
Recovery Centers of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
Veterans Assistance Foundation Inc., Bakersfield, CA
Native Directions Inc., Lathrop, CA
P.A.T.H., Los Angeles, CA
St. Vincent de Paul Village, San Diego, CA
Friendship Service Center of New Britain, CT
Torrington Chapter of FISH Inc., Torrington, CT
Yettie's Outreach and Development Corp., Lauderhill, FL
Volunteers of America of Florida Inc., Miami
Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the City of Coeur d'Alene, ID
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Inc., Galesburg, IL
Transitional Living Services Inc., Hebron, IL
Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc., Indianapolis, IN
The Salvation Army, Kansas City, KS
Interlink Counseling Services Inc., Louisville, KY
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Louisville, KY
Gateway Foundation, Inc., Harvey, LA
United Veterans of America, Leeds, MA
Massachusetts Veterans Inc., Worcester, MA
Maryland Center for Veterans, Baltimore, MD
Education and Training Inc., Baltimore, MD
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Minneapolis, MN
Salvation Army Inc., St. Joseph, MO
Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down, Kalispell, MT
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry Inc., Asheville, NC
Residential Treatment Services of Alamance Inc., Burlington, NC
Family Forum Inc. (dba "Charlottetown Manor"), Charlotte, NC
Wake County Human Services, Raleigh, NC
Liberty House Shelter Inc., Manchester, NH
Harbor Homes Inc., Nashua, NH
Altamont Program Inc., Menands, NY
Volunteers of America, Greater NY, Newburgh, NY
The Salvation Army, Rochester, NY
Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse, NY
Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center Inc., Cincinnati, OH
Joseph House Inc., Cincinnati, OH
North Oklahoma County Mental Health Center Inc., Oklahoma City, OK
Phoenix Recovery Institute, Oklahoma City, OK
Fresh Start Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
Steps House Inc., Knoxville, TN
Matthew 25 Inc., Nashville, KY
REM Association, Spokane, WA
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Ft. McCoy, WI
Southeast Wyoming Mental Health Center, Cheyenne, WY
Volunteers of America Wyoming, Sheridan, WY
<<< >>>
(posted 8-7-03) |
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Sen. Domenici & Gov. Richardson
to
announce major jobs development
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and
Governor Bill Richardson will unveil a major jobs and economic development
announcement today as part of their ongoing effort to work together to
create jobs in New Mexico.
The announcement will be made at 9:30 a.m. at the
Albuquerque International Sunport’s Press Room in the Main Terminal.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-7-03) |
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Sen. Domenici pledges $2 million to begin
water efficiency
improvements on Rio Grande
Middle Rio Grande Water Conservancy District
commits to projects to reduce water losses
ALBUQUERQUE - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici pledged Tuesday to provide $2
million in federal aid to begin implementing actions on the middle Rio
Grande in New Mexico to cut the loss of water related to current irrigation
practices in the region.
Domenici promised to secure the federal funding this fall after a series of
private meetings Tuesday with farmers from Sandoval, Bernalillo and Valencia
counties, and with Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) officials.
Domenici’s announcement came after obtaining a commitment from the MRGCD to
move forward with modernization projects.
“The silvery minnow issue shows us that everyone who relies on the Rio
Grande will have to change. The commitment made by the MRGCD is significant
because it points to a willingness to do what is needed to use its resources
more efficiently, and by doing so help improve the overall situation on the
river,” Domenici said.
“My talks with the farmers and the Conservancy District were useful, and
showed me their deep interest in improving how its water allotments are used
and conserved,” he said.
“I am pleased the district is willing to set a timetable for modernizing
their systems, and that the farmers are willing to explore better
techniques. This work will take years to accomplish, but the sooner we make
progress, the better,” the senator said.
Jose U. Otero, MRGCD chairman of the board, said, “There is no doubt we want
to improve our system. We have been working diligently to do so over the
past few years. We welcome this assistance and look forward to continuing
these efforts.”
Domenici is chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee
that has funding jurisdiction over the Bureau of Reclamation, which is
working with the city of Albuquerque, MRGCD and others to find new ways to
conserve water in the Rio Grande.
Domenici committed to protecting $2 million he has included in the FY2004
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for MRGCD modernization and
efficiency programs.
The funding is included within a Western Water Initiative. The Senate will
take up this appropriations bill in September.
The $2 million will go toward implementing a variety of MRCGD improvements,
such as a Bureau of Reclamation system evaluation for efficiency and the
installation of flow measurement gauges.
In addition to this funding, Domenici also has secured federal money to
support the work of the Middle Rio Grande Collaborative Program Workgroup to
promote short and long-term activities including river habitat
modifications, water leasing and purchases, minnow population management and
breeding, refuge construction, fish/stream monitoring, and nonnative tree
removal.
Through the Bureau of Reclamation, Domenici included $34.48 million in the
FY2004 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for Middle Rio
Grande projects, which includes $7 million for Middle Rio Grande Workgroup
for silvery minnow activities, $10 million for levee repairs, and remainder
for operations and maintenance.
Last year, Domenici secured $10 million to support Workgroup activities in
FY2003, and since FY2001 has secured more than $26 million in Bureau of
Reclamation funding for this work.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-6-03) |
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Addressing terrorism
&
world peace with ideas
GC&C
announces worldwide
competition for new ideas
SAINT CLOUD, MINNESOTA - Global Commerce & Communication today announced a
worldwide competition for new ideas.
Through this competition titled "New ideas - Gateway to the future," GC&C
hopes to stimulate the innovators and citizens of the world to generate new
ideas in three areas: new technology ideas, new product and service ideas,
and new ideas to address global issues such as human rights, civil rights,
racism, sexism, hunger, disease, terrorism, and world peace.
"This global competition will be the first of its kind in the world. It
provides a challenging opportunity for the global community to contribute to
scientific and technological progress as well as to develop innovative ideas
for addressing critical global issues," said GC&C spokesperson Neil Armand.
"We hope this global competition will raise awareness and stimulate new
visions for the future of our world," he added.
The top three ideas will be prominently featured on NewIdeaTrade.com, an
online division of GC&C that connects innovators, investors and marketers.
In addition, the winning ideas will be listed on NewIdeaTrade.com database
in an effort to attract investors for the winners of the competition
(http://www.newideatrade.com/inventions.htm).
Entries must be received by Oct. 30. The winners will be announced on Dec.
30.
Judging criteria for new technology ideas and new product/service ideas are:
potential for commercialization, creativity, and quality of presentation.
Judging criteria for ideas addressing global issues are: applicability and
usefulness, creativity and quality of presentation.
Entry form and additional information about the competition are available at
http://www.newideatrade.com/inventions.htm.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-6-03) |
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NM
Tech awarded grant
to study water use
in west
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today announced that New Mexico
Institute of Mining and Technology has been awarded a $304,000 grant to
estimate consumptive water use in the western United States.
New Mexico Tech will use an image-processing model, the Surface Energy
Balance Algorithm for LAND (SEBAL), to undertake the project.
SEBAL uses satellite-image data to study the earth's surface
"These funds will allow New Mexico Tech to use cutting-edge technology to
estimate the West's water usage," Domenici said.
"The drought and population growth in states like New Mexico and Arizona
mean that policymakers need more information about their water resources.
The entire region should benefit from the findings of the school's Earth and
Environmental Science Department," he said.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will be
delivered next week.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-5-03) |
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Betrayed in the Bootheel
By Judy Keeler
Betrayal is the only word that
describes the atmosphere in the Jaguar Conservation Team meeting held last
week in Animas, New Mexico.
After meeting more than six years and working in a good faith effort to
develop a plan to conserve any jaguars that might wander into Arizona or New
Mexico from Mexico, a lawsuit to establish critical habitat and develop a
recovery plan in the U.S. was filed by two organizations "participating" in
the planning efforts.
As the crowd of about 65 jaguar conservation team members milled around
greeting each other and discussing the weather, pockets formed to discuss
the latest news.
Members were excited to hear Carlos Lopez, jaguar researcher in Mexico, had
been able to collar a female jaguar about 150 miles south of the border.
Collaring the female gave team members hope they would soon have new
information on the dispersal patterns of jaguar from our sister nation into
the U.S.
When discussion turned to a recent lawsuit filed by the Center for
Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife against the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, disappointment filled many faces.
Feelings of betrayal bubbled to the surface. Why had fellow participants
chosen to sue?
The meeting was finally called to order by Bill Van Pelt of the Arizona Game
and Fish Department. As he ran through the agenda, participants sat quietly
and listened for new updates.
Very little had changed since the last Team meeting in January of 2003.
The big news came near the end of the meeting. At last, an opportunity to
comment on the suit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and
Defenders of Wildlife against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel explained that although they were
not able to discuss specifics of the case, they were in full support of the
Jaguar Conservation Team's effort and commended the group for their
accomplishments.
Several Team participants, including Warner Glenn, Judy Keeler (me) and Jack
Childs, expressed their feelings of betrayal by the Center, and especially
by the Defenders.
No one could understand the need to file suit since a great deal of progress
had been made to conserve the species in the U.S.
Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity explained their
lawsuit was based on the Service's findings that it was "not prudent" to
establish critical habitat in the U.S.
Holding the Service's feet to the fire, as outlined in their lawsuit, the
Center is using the Service's own procedural requirements for implementing
the Endangered Species Act to sue the agency.
Scotty Johnson of the Defenders of Wildlife explained how the lawsuit had to
be filed by July 21, 2003. If, according to procedural requirements, they
had not filed by that date, they would have never been able to pursue a suit
in the future.
Michael Robinson also explained the Service's obligation to develop a
recovery plan, regardless of the Team's activities.
In an update of the Center's recent activities, via the internet, the Center
for Biological Diversity claims jaguar "once roamed the hills of southern
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and possibly as far west
as Arkansas and as far north as southern Colorado."
The organization also contends the "U.S. population was hunted down and
killed by the livestock industry and government predator control programs
set up to subsidize the industry."
They also state that the Service failed to establish critical habitat and
"develop a recovery plan for the reintroduction of the species into the
borderlands of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas."
Not even the Scientific Advisory Group for the Team supports reintroduction
of the species into the U.S.
One has to wonder how much science this organization really relies on to
support its claims.
Bill Van Pelt, in light of the recent lawsuit, asked the team to consider
two questions: Are we going to continue with the Jaguar Conservation
Strategy and Assessment? And, if we are, how shall we proceed?
If the Team were representing private industry these questions would be mute
since once a lawsuit is filed interaction by participating groups and
individuals usually stops while lawyers for each side take over all further
negotiations.
Since the signers of the Memorandum of Agreement consist of county, state
and federal agencies, one might guess the Team and the individual
participants, in an attempt to protect their interests, will continue to
attend, but will it still be a good faith effort?
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Secretary of State clarifies
voter registration
requirements
Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron has issued a memorandum to all 33
county clerks in New Mexico clarifying new voter identification requirements
for voter registration taking effect under federal law.
The Help America Vote Act, which took effect nationally on Oct. 29, 2002,
requires voter identification for all first time voters registering by mail
after Jan. 1, 2003.
“In other words,” Vigil-Giron said, “the only registrations needing
identification are those with a postmark.”
Citizens registering to vote in person at county clerk offices or at voter
registration drive locations are not required to submit identification with
voter registration.
Acceptable identification for registrations mailed in includes photocopies
of current and valid photo identification, current utility bills, bank
statements, government checks, paychecks or other government documents
showing the name and address of the voter registering by mail.
Persons who register by mail without proper identification attached will be
indicated on rosters at the polls on election day, and will be asked to
submit proper identification before voting.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Sen. Domenici joins effort to
control Chronic
Wasting Disease
Disease found at White Sands Missile Range
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici announced his support Friday for
legislation intended to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD),
which plagues wild deer and elk throughout the country.
Domenici is cosponsoring the Chronic Wasting Disease Financial Assistance
Act of 2003 (S.1366), which will coordinate and increase the federal
response to the disease.
CWD has been found in deer and elk in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming,
Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Since the spring of 2002, six samples from 23 deer in and around White Sands
Missile Range have tested positive for the disease, which is similar to mad
cow disease.
"It is important that the efforts to battle Chronic Wasting Disease be
coordinated and stepped up," Domenici said. "This legislation will give the
federal government the tools it needs to better monitor and control CWD.”
“Most importantly, it will accelerate research of the disease so we can find
out its causes and how its being spread," the senator said.
The epicenter of CWD is located about 600 miles from WSMR. It is not known
how it spread from Colorado to New Mexico.
The legislation will create a national CWD repository that will monitor data
for captive and wild deer and elk. It also sets up protocols for the
collection of samples and the ways in which animals are tested for CWD.
It provides $10 million in grants for wildlife management, long term
management strategies for CWD, and expansion of diagnostic and testing
capabilities.
The bill also will require interagency coordination to distribute grants to
states, and establish a captive heard program to be managed by the
Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) are the Senate's
lead sponsors.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Domenici critical of lack of firefighting
funds in emergency
spending bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici on Friday expressed his
disappointment that the U.S. Congress has failed to act on its
responsibility to provide emergency assistance to Western states suffering
rampaging wildfires.
The Senate late Thursday night passed a FY2003 Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Bill that does not include any assistance to federal agencies
to fight wildfires this summer in New Mexico and throughout the West.
President Bush had requested $289 million be appropriated for the fires,
which the Senate had approved along with $25 million to treat high-hazard
areas, such as evacuation routes. The House, however, refused to accept
these funds.
"This supplemental package takes a short-sighted view of the devastating
fires this summer. I am incensed that money appropriated to keep our
forests healthy will be at risk if these agencies have to borrow hazardous
fuels reduction funds to fight wildfires instead of preventing them,"
Domenici said.
"Forest fires are natural disasters. It is inconceivable to me that the
House was unwilling to treat them like any other emergency and appropriate
funds to fight them in an emergency spending bill," the senator said.
Domenici is a leading advocate of thinning forests and getting rid of
blighted areas to prevent the spread of wildfires.
However, money appropriated to the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management to undertake these efforts could be needed to fight fires.
"Unless Congress provides funds needed to fight fires, there could well be
forests in northern New Mexico and other areas of the country scheduled to
get money for prevention and cleanup that will never get it," Domenici said.
"Rather than funding both preventive measures and firefighting like
President Bush requested, the House has decided to rob one to pay for the
other," he said.
The $986.3 million emergency supplemental bill will now go to President
Bush, who had originally requested nearly $2 billion from Congress. The
funds in this emergency bill are directed toward the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
When the Senate returns in September, firefighting funding will be debated
as part of the FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill to which the
emergency firefighting funds were originally attached.
The FY2004 Interior Appropriations Bill also pending in the Senate includes
another $2.2 billion for the National Fire Plan.
At the committee level, Domenici added tough report language to the FY2004
Interior Appropriations Bill that directs federal land managers to speed up
forest thinning activities.
The committee approved $2.2 billion for the National Fire Plan in FY2004.
This funding level would provide $698.7 million for the BLM and $1.54
billion for the Forest Service, but would not provide the immediate
emergency assistance like the Supplemental funding would have.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Ben
Archer Health Center awarded
$250,000 grant for
migrant education
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici announced Friday the Ben Archer
Health Center in Luna County has been awarded a $250,000 grant under the
U.S. Department of Education's Migrant Education Even Start Program.
The Center will collaborate with the Gadsden Even Start Program and Doña Ana
Community College on the project.
The money will be used to provide migrant families with basic education and
career training while building the early literacy of their young children.
The grant is expected to be continued for four years.
"I am pleased that the Ben Archer Health Center has been awarded funding
that will help migrant families better their lives through education,"
Domenici said.
"Career-training for adults and early-childhood literacy programs are a
combination that will provide both immediate and long-term assistance to the
community," he said.
The Migrant Education Even Start Program is designed to help break the cycle
of poverty and improve the literacy of participating migrant families by
integrating early childhood education, parenting education, and adult
literacy or adult basic education (including English language training, as
appropriate) into a unified family literacy program.
The Ben Archer Health Center provides much needed medical and dental
services to the under served population in Doña Ana, Luna, Otero and Sierra
counties. It specializes in services to migrant workers.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Domenici reintroduces bill to rid
West of
water-depleting salt cedar
WASHINGTON, DC - Highlighting the need for relief from acute water
shortages, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici on Friday reintroduced legislation
aimed at finding the best way to rid the region of water-depleting Tamariz,
a non-native salt cedar that thrives along New Mexico's river banks,
exhausting the already-parched waterways.
Under the updated language in the bill, the proposal (S.1516) will now be
referred to the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee, which
Domenici chairs.
The previously introduced version, S.1051, was referred to the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee, which has not taken action.
"I believe it is vitally important that we develop the scientific knowledge
and experience base to build a strategy to control salt cedar in a timely
manner," Domenici said.
"I am committed to eradicate salt cedar from river banks, which is why I'm
pleased that this bill will be considered by my committee. I fully intend to
move this bill through Congress this year," he said.
Domenici said his interest in moving the bill in Congress is linked to
evidence that salt cedar fueled the wildfires that destroyed hundreds of
acres of the Albuquerque Bosque earlier this summer.
The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete an assessment of
the extent of salt cedar and Russian olive infestation in the western United
States. This includes a review of on-going research into eradication
techniques, and the launch of three demonstration projects throughout the
West to determine the amount of water that can be saved through salt cedar
control and a strategy for broader implementation.
Estimates show that one mature salt cedar tree can consume as much as 200
gallons of water per day.
At that rate, a single acre of salt cedar could consume as much as seven
acre-feet of water annually. An acre foot is enough water to cover one acre
with one foot of water, about 325,851 gallons.
In addition, salt cedars increase fire and flood frequency, river
channelization, and water and soil salinity along the river. Studies
indicate that eradication of the salt cedar could increase river flows.
"Diminishing water supplies are a serious threat to agriculture and water
supplies throughout the West," Domenici said. "Finding ways to ensure a
plentiful water supply and reduce problems associated with drought is a top
priority."
Domenici is the author of the National Drought Preparedness Act (S. 1454),
which would create a national policy for drought. The legislation was
introduced along with a bipartisan group of senators last week and will
establish a National Drought Council to take a pro-active approach to
monitoring drought conditions.
As chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations
Committee that funds federal water programs, Domenici has worked to secure
solid funding for existing Bureau of Reclamation salt cedar removal efforts,
including the Pecos River Basin Salvage project.
The water salvage program, in place since 1964, has resulted in the
clearance of about 34,000 acres of salt cedar between Sumner Dam in De Baca
County and the New Mexico-Texas state line in Eddy County.
Salt cedar was introduced in New Mexico in the early 1900s to try to
stabilize stream banks subject to erosion from flooding.
Because it is highly adaptive to both drought and wet conditions, it has
spread rapidly over the past century. In addition to consuming large
quantities of water, it also exudes salt from its leaves that contaminates
soil and water resources.
For information about New Mexico’s salt cedar program, visit the website at
http://www.nm.nacdnet.org/.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-4-03) |
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Senate approves Bingaman energy plan
WASHINGTON, DC - After five months of attempting to craft energy
legislation, the Republican leadership decided Thursday they did not have
the bipartisan support they needed, so they turned to the energy bill U.S.
Senator Jeff Bingaman wrote last year, which overwhelmingly passed (88-11)
Congress in April 2002.
Thursday’s vote was 84-14.
Bingaman wrote his legislation with New Mexico's attributes in mind. Given
that New Mexico is one of the country's leading oil and gas producing
states, Bingaman's legislation contains a series of tax incentives for
independent oil and gas producers.
The bill also carves out a greater role for New Mexico's national
laboratories in their efforts to research and develop new energy
technologies. Additionally, the legislation contains provisions that would
spur energy development on Indian lands.
"I'm pleased that the Senate recognized the value of the long, hard work
that members put into an energy bill in the last Congress, the balance we
successfully struck between energy production and energy efficiency, and our
recognition of the linkage between energy policy and environmental policy,
including climate change," Bingaman said.
"The strength of this bill is its broad, bipartisan support, and I hope the
conference committee will produce a bill that can command similar bipartisan
support," he said.
…Independent oil &
gas producers:
Bingaman's legislation supports New Mexico oil and gas producers by
assisting independent U.S. producers in adopting new oil exploration and
production technologies, and increasing funds to speed the permitting of new
domestic oil and gas production.
Making more resources available to the federal permitting agencies in New
Mexico and across the country will give greater certainty and speed to the
permitting process.
The bill also includes the following tax incentives for independent oil and
gas producers:
* A tax credit for oil and gas production from marginal wells: This is a $3
per barrel credit for the production of oil and $.50 per 1,000 cubic feet of
natural gas. The credit is only available if the price of oil falls below
$18 ($2 per natural gas).
* Determination of "smaller refiner" exception to the oil depletion
deduction: This provision modifies the definition of small refiners for the
purposes of determining whether they are eligible for percentage depletion
to be refiners with an average daily run less than 50,000 barrels. (Under
current law small refiners are limited to those with daily maximum runs less
than 50,000 barrels. This provision increases the maximum to 60,000
barrels.)
* Percentage depletion: This provision extends an expiring tax provision
that would suspend the 100 percent of net income limit on percentage
depletion deduction with respect to marginal production.
* Geological and geophysical expenditures (G&G costs): G&G costs are
incurred for the purpose of obtaining data when exploring for minerals. This
provision allows taxpayers to amortize over two years G&G costs incurred in
connection with oil and gas exploration in the United States.
* Extension of tax credit for oil and gas derived from non-conventional
sources: This provision provides a three-year placed in service window for
new wells, at a credit of $3 per barrel (or BTU equivalent) for production
for all section 29 sources except synthetic fuels from coal.
* Study of coal-bed methane: This proposal will direct the secretary of the
treasury to undertake a study of the effect the section 29 tax credit has on
the production of coal-bed methane. The study would be in conjunction with
one called for by the bill to be undertaken by the secretary of the interior
on the effects of coal-bed methane production on surface and water
resources.
…Sandia & Los
Alamos Labs:
H.R. 4 includes an extensive section devoted to increasing federal
investment in the development of new energy technologies.
These technologies include renewable energies such as solar, wind,
geothermal and biomass; cleaner fossil energy technologies; advanced nuclear
energy systems; and technologies designed to improve energy efficiency.
The bill also calls for increased funding for the basic research that will
form the technical underpinnings of our future energy technologies.
Sandia and Los Alamos labs are both heavily involved in the Department of
Energy's ongoing programs dedicated to research and development of these
technologies.
Los Alamos conducts about $110 million of energy-related R&D per year, and
Sandia performs $85 million in energy R&D annually.
If the funding levels authorized by H.R. 4 are appropriated, Sandia and Los
Alamos could each see their energy research and development budgets grow to
about $175 million per year by 2006.
Also of interest to the labs, H.R. 4 contains an amendment Bingaman co-wrote
that extends until 2012 the Price-Anderson Act - a 1957 law providing
liability coverage for companies working to increase use of nuclear energy
in the United States and assure continued environmental clean up.
New Mexico Senator Clinton P. Anderson was one of the original authors of
Price-Anderson.
Price-Anderson sets up a liability system that provides a mix of private
insurance plus assessments to all plants that assure the public of prompt
damage settlements from any problems associated with a commercial nuclear
power plant.
It also sets up federal coverage for DOE contractors running the labs or
clean up sites.
Through Price-Anderson, national labs can function, nuclear plants can
operate, and environmental problems associated with past weapons work can be
cleaned up.
The Price-Anderson Act is set to expire in August. It also allows the
federal government to penalize nonprofit operators of DOE facilities,
including universities, in the event of an accident. Under current law, such
nonprofits cannot be fined.
…Indian country:
New Mexico's tribes and pueblos also stand to gain from Bingaman's bill
because the measure focuses on the need to encourage oil and gas development
on Indian lands.
According to the Department of the Interior, only a quarter of the oil
resources and less than a fifth of the natural gas resources on tribal lands
have been developed.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates there are almost
90 Indian reservations with energy resource potential, including oil and
gas, coal and coal-bed methane, wind and geothermal.
To help Indian tribes, H.R. 4 establishes the "Comprehensive Indian Energy
Program" at the Department of Energy to assist tribes in developing their
energy resources with grants and loans.
It builds up the energy infrastructure on Indian lands and cuts red tape
imposed by the federal government on Indian tribes that seek to lease land
and rights-of-way for energy production and transmission.
It also puts in place incentives for the development of renewable energy on
Indian lands, along with incentives for private purchases of energy
generated on Indian lands.
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(posted 8-1-03) |
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Senate confirms Browning
to U.S. District
Court in NM
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today announced the Senate
unanimously confirmed Albuquerque attorney James O. Browning to be a U.S.
District Court Judge for the District of New Mexico.
The Senate confirmed Browning on a voice vote late Thursday evening.
"I am very pleased that the Senate acted quickly to confirm this outstanding
nominee. Jim is an extremely well-qualified individual who will serve New
Mexico and the nation with distinction," Domenici said.
"The Browning confirmation means the federal court in New Mexico will now
have a full complement of judges. I believe our state needs more
positions. But with the Senate's recent confirmation of Judge Robert Brack,
and now James Browning, the judiciary in New Mexico is better off," he said.
Domenici continues to press for the creation of at least one additional
federal judgeship for New Mexico through legislation now pending in
Congress.
Browning, who is originally from Hobbs, was rated "well-qualified" by the
American Bar Association.
His nomination was unanimously recommended by the Senate Judiciary Committee
earlier this month.
Browning was nominated by President Bush based on a recommendation made by
Domenici earlier this year.
Browning has been an attorney with the Browning & Peifer P.A. firm since
1990.
Browning graduated magna cum laude from Yale University. In 1981, he earned
a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, serving as
editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review.
He also clerked for Collins J. Seitz, the Chief Judge of the 3rd
Circuit Court of Appeals before serving as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court
Justice Lewis Powell, 1982-83.
In addition to his private practice, Browning served as a deputy attorney
general under former New Mexico Attorney General Hal Stratton.
The U.S. District Court seat that Browning takes became vacant when Judge
Leroy Hansen took senior status.
Browning's confirmation means that all seven U.S. District Court judgeships
in New Mexico are filled.
Robert Brack, a state judge from Clovis, was confirmed on July 14 to fill a
new seat created to serve southern New Mexico.
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(posted 8-1-03) |
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Rep. Kennedy campaigns in NM
Washington, DC - Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) is
visiting New Mexico today and Saturday on behalf of Dick Gephardt's
presidential campaign.
Kennedy will visit Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
At 4 p.m. today he will participate in the
Gephardt Campaign Reception at Sheraton Uptown in the Regal and Wurlitzer
rooms, 2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.
At 2 p.m. Saturday he will be available to the
press at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center’s Community Room at 3221 Rodeo
Road in Santa Fe.
<<< >>>
(posted 8-1-03)
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