By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Consumer advocacy groups, environmentalists and the New Mexico attorney general s office are raising concerns about a proposed multibillion-dollar merger of the state s largest electric utility with a U.S. subsidiary of global energy giant Iberdrola.
The groups have filed testimony with state regulators ahead of hearings that begin next month.
It will be up to the Public Regulation Commission to determine if the merger provides meaningful benefits to Public Service Co. of New Mexico customers and if it would be in the public interest.
Some groups say PNM shareholders will benefit from the proposed transaction and that it could end up stifling competition for renewable energy development in New Mexico.
First Lady Jill Biden To Visit Albuquerque, Navajo Capitol
- Associated Press
First lady Jill Biden s office announced Saturday that she will visit the U.S. Southwest in the coming week, with stops planned in New Mexico s most populous city and the Navajo Nation s capitol in Arizona.
The announcement said Biden will travel to Albuquerque on Wednesday and visit Window Rock, Arizona, on Thursday and Friday.
The announcement did not elaborate on the scheduled visit but said additional information will be forthcoming.
Navajo Nation Has No COVID-Related Deaths For 7th Day In Row -
Associated Press
The Navajo Nation now has had a week of reporting no additional COVID-19 related deaths on the vast reservation where safety precautions like a mask mandate and daily curfews remain.
New Mexico Health Secretary, Experts Push Vaccine Message -
By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
New Mexico Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins says the state has tapped into a network of community health providers, faith leaders and other local organizers to share information as officials look to boost the number of people who are vaccinated.
Collins testified Thursday before a congressional subcommittee on the challenges of combating misinformation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccination campaign.
She said New Mexico has been a leader in distribution. She said the early adoption of a registration site, regular news conferences by top state officials and town halls and social media messaging in multiple languages have resulted in the state s high vaccination rates.
THURS: Pot Producers Eager To Ramp Up As Legalization Approaches, + More kunm.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kunm.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Energy, Voting Rights Loom In Congressional Special Election - By Morgan Lee Associated Press
Republican congressional nominee and New Mexico state Sen. Mark Moores is staking out a campaign platform based on support for the oil and natural gas industry, robust police funding and taxation issues, ahead of a rapid-fire special election.
The state Republican Party sees the election as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recapture an Albuquerque-based congressional seat controlled by Democrats including Deb Haaland before her confirmation as secretary of the Interior Department.
Early voting begins May 4 ahead of the June 1 election.
Democratic nominee and state Rep. Melanie Stansbury says she is firmly focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilding the state economy, including modernizing the energy sector.