Morning Word: PNM's Coal Agreement Isn't Final

Power plan opponents say it shouldn't be considered by PRC commissioners

By Peter St. Cyr

I

t's Cinco de Mayo. If you didn't get your share of parties this weekend, party on. That, plus the latest on PNM's informal coal deal, and no surprise here, but most of New Mexico's teachers are ranked pretty high.

It's Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Renewable energy advocates who are opposed to the Public Service Company of New Mexico's plans to purchase additional coal- and nuclear-generated electricity say that Public Regulation Commissioners should not consider PNM’s unsigned coal supply deal when they vote on a power replacement plan, since the coal agreement is not finalized and isn’t part of the formal record.

Listen to Rita Daniel's story at KUNM.

Meanwhile, two new solar array projects have been approved to be built on state trust land in southern New Mexico.

Read it in the Las Cruces Sun-News. Economic development officials in San Juan County have raised more than $21,000 to launch an ad campaign they hope will save local jobs at the coal mine and PNM’s power generation station there. They don’t seem to be aware that PNM plans to stockpile coal and potentially lay off the workers anyway. Read more at the Farmington Daily Times.  Almost 75 percent of teachers in New Mexico are rated as effective in the classroom. Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  But Sharon Yocum, a teacher in Farmington who sent letters home with her students so they could

 opt out of PARCC tests

, has learned her contract won’t be renewed. Read why here. Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is finally talking publicly about those controversial Taser gun purchases. He agreed to an interview with Chris Ramirez, his former communications director.

See it at KOB.com Former Attorney General Gary King has joined the board of a financial firm in Texas that is being sued by Pennsylvania for allegations it was running an illegal online payday loan scheme. Think Finance Inc. denies it did. King has a record of suing payday loan companies himself. Read it at the ABQ Journal.  Experts are meeting in New Mexico to discuss human trafficking issues. Read it at the Los Alamos Daily Post.  In southern New Mexico, behavioral health experts met Monday to talk about how to keep clients from falling off the radar during an impending transition to new providers of Medicaid-funded substance abuse and mental health care after La Frontera pulls out of the state. Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News.  Gov. Susana Martinez’ staff says that big $73 million settlement with the Department of Energy won’t impact capital outlays, which could be approved if she calls a special session later this year. Read more at the ABQ Journal.  Pardon the cliché, but an Albuquerque drone company is really starting to take off. Read it at ABQ Business First.  We’ve never really thought about this before, but it makes sense. A Rio Rancho woman issued a citation for flashing her car lights and honking her horn is fighting the case in court. Her attorney, Colin Hunter, contends the ticket violates her First Amendment rights.

Read more about the interesting case here. A painting artist Georgia O’Keeffe kept for herself is headed to auction in New York. Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  Enjoy Cinco de Mayo. Drive safely, and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning.


Update: We corrected the spelling of KUNM reporter Rita Daniels name above.

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