Morning Word: Pearce Blasts Clean Power Program

New Mexico officials are still thumbing through the complex Clean Power Program that requires states to reduce their total carbon emissions by 32 percent over 2005 levels. Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn told Staci Matlock that New Mexico should be able to meet the goals easily, especially after two coal stacks are shuttered at PNM’s plant near Farmington. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican. US Rep. Steve Pearce, R-New Mexico, didn’t waste any time blasting the president’s plan to cut gas emissions.

Read more at KRWG. 

Mariel Nanasi, the president and executive director of New Energy Economy, the renewable energy advocacy group locked in a battle with PNM over its proposed power plans, sent the Morning Word an email stating that she thinks Pearce’s talking points are detrimental to New Mexican families.

Politics are not for the meek. One of Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales’ recent appointments to the Planning Commission is lambasting City Councilor Patti Bushee for, you guessed it: divisive politics. Daniel Chacón has the full report. Meanwhile, Bushee and her colleagues on the council appear to have decided to put aside some city land along Siler Road to build an  affordable housing complex.

Elizabeth Miller has the news at SFR. Law enforcement officials still have not been able to identify any suspects in connection with those church bombings on Sunday in Las Cruces. Read the latest at the Las Cruces Sun-News. A bill to cut off Planned Parenthood’s funding died in the US Senate on Monday. Both of New Mexico’s senators voted with the majority.

Read Michael Coleman's report at the ABQ Journal.  Veteran journalist and political commentator Heath Haussamen says his eyebrows rise when his questions go unanswered by public servants paid by taxpayers to answer public inquiries. It's been days since he asked Tax and Revenue staff questions about an email they sent to him.

Nothing but crickets.

Justin Horwath reports that family members of Albuquerque civil rights attorney Mary Han, who was found dead in a car in a parking garage, want a Santa Fe judge to order the Office of the Medical Investigator to “conduct a fair, accurate, professional and impartial investigation” into the “true cause and manner” of her death. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  After months of preparation, the preliminary hearing to decide whether two Albuquerque police officers should stand trial for killing homeless camper James Boyd got under way on Monday. Prosecutor Randi McGinn says the officers can’t claim self-defense, since they “started the fight.” Their attorney, Sam Bregman, disagrees and told Second Judicial District Judge Neil Candelaria the officers were protecting other officers from a “threat by a crazy man with two knives.” Read it at ABQ Free Press.  Ojo Caliente Land Grant members have lost a court battle and their claim to 2,300 acres of land that straddles Taos and Rio Arriba counties. Read it at the Taos News.  Turns out the feds have lots of grant money to help out local beekeepers.

Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  

Santa Fe Reporter