Morning Word: Udall Pushes Energy Diversification

National standard would save consumers billions

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national debate is heating up over who should determine energy policies in the future. New Mexico's two senators support a national standard with more renewable sources, but critics say that takes regulatory power away from the states. Despite the cool temperatures, it's almost be time for summer and that means baseball is back in Santa Fe. Go Fuego!

It's Thursday, May 21, 2015

US Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, a co-sponsor of a bill that would require utilities like the Public Service Company of New Mexico, to generate 30 percent of their energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources, says that a new national standard would slow electric rate increases and create thousands of new jobs.

Sen. Martin Heinrich is also a bill co-sponsor. Reporter Sarah Matott has details.  Meanwhile, Heinrich has joined forces with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, to oppose the renewal of the US Patriot Act. Read it here

Debra Haaland, the chairwoman of the New Mexico Democratic Party, wants Secretary of State Dianna Duran and Attorney General Hector Balderas to investigate the state GOP’s use of the state seal on a controversial email. Read her letter.  The state’s Republican Party wants all of State Auditor Tim Keller’s emails and expense reports since taking office in January, but claims their request is being ignored. Keller’s staff says it’s responding to the “burdensome” request. Read it here.  Former Educational Retirement Board Chairman Bruce Malott’s civil racketeering lawsuit against financial firms and investment advisors has been dismissed.

Mike Gallagher has the scoop.  A new report found that a large portion of New Mexico’s seniors live in poverty. America’s Health Rankings Senior Report ranked New Mexico 47th in the country for the number of seniors living in poverty, at nearly 12 percent. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  A national nursing home wants Balderas to dismiss a lawsuit pushed by private lawyers exposed in The New York Times'

Pulitzer Prize winning article.

Read it here.  Following the deadly biker gang shootout in Texas, New Mexico State Police plan an increased presence at this weekend’s rally in Red River as the Bandidos roll into town. See more at KOB.com Local bikers tell journalist Staci Matlock the violence in Texas ;won't "taint" this weekend's annual event in Northern New Mexico. Read it here. Boaters and RV’ers are already showing up at Elephant Butte for the holiday weekend. Read it at the Deming Headlight.  What will it take to make the New Mexico State Fairgrounds a competitive venue for national and regional events? Auditor Tim Keller has some ideas. Read them at ABQ Business First. Speaking of improvements, a group of consultants are sharing their ideas for $2 million dollars worth of Main Street revitalization projects in downtown Farmington. Read it at the Daily Times.  A new tourism marketing director in Taos has resigned after just two months. Read it at the Taos News.  New Mexico Highlands University regents have decided which of the six finalists they want to hire as the school’s next president, but they’re keeping their selection quiet until negotiations with the individual have been completed.

Read it at the Las Vegas Optic. A group of Millennial business leaders wants the PRC to reconsider their recents votes on Uber and Lyft’s ride-sharing services.

Dan Mayfield has the story.  A national law journal has laid out its analysis of what “Breaking Bad” character Walter White’s trial might have looked like if he had survived and had been convicted. In New Mexico, he wouldn’t have faced the death penalty,  since that law was repealed a few years ago. Read it at KOAT. 

Baseball is back in Santa Fe for the summer and the Fuego team is off to a fast start. More than 500 fans watched them trounce the Las Vegas Train Robbers, 10 to 5.

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