Press releases about stimulus funds are arriving in bunches right now as more and more of the money gets released. I like to put up some of them so you can get an idea of what's going on with some of the recovery money.

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced $12.7 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in New Mexico. Under DOE’s State Energy Program, New Mexico proposed a statewide plan that prioritizes energy savings, creates or retains jobs, increases the use of renewable energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This program is part of the Obama Administration’s national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy and conservation.

Secretary Chu announced a total of more than $141 million for State Energy Programs in six states and territories states including: Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Texas. Each grantee is receiving 40 percent of its total State Energy Program (SEP) funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence," said Secretary Chu in a press release. "It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly."

New Mexico will use its Recovery Act funding to implement several energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in buildings and the transportation sector. The state aims to reduce petroleum consumption through various financial incentives to encourage the purchase of new fuel-efficient vehicles, the use of alternative fuels and biofuels, and investments in alternative fuel and biofuel infrastructure.

The state will also direct Recovery Act funding to increase building efficiency. The program includes initiatives to expand residential weatherization assistance to families above the low-income eligibility threshold for the Weatherization Assistance Program, public building energy efficiency retrofits, commercial building audits and renovations, combined heat and power projects in the industrial sector, and the adoption of energy codes. Both the buildings and transportation programs include provisions to educate citizens about energy issues and provide statewide training for professionals in order to reduce energy consumption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

With today's announcement, New Mexico will now have received 50 percent of its total Recovery Act SEP funding. The initial 10 percent of total funding was previously available to support planning activities; the remaining 50 percent of funds will be released once it meets reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive almost $16 million in additional funding, for a total of nearly $32 million.

Activities eligible for State Energy Program funding include energy audits, building retrofits, education and training efforts, transportation programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

The Recovery Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program (SEP) to help promote energy efficiency and clean energy deployment, as well as to support local economic recovery. States use these grants at the state and local level to create green jobs and address state energy priorities.

Transparency and accountability are important priorities for SEP and all Recovery Act projects. Throughout the program’s implementation, DOE will provide strong oversight at the local, state, and national level, while emphasizing with states the need to quickly award funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies.

From the Democratic Women of Sandoval County: Our group will meet on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers at the Bernalillo Town Hall, 829 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo. Meet and greet at 6:30 PM. Our invited speakers will inform us about the new transition town movement.

Refreshments will be served. The public is encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome. For info call Director and Program Chair Janice Saxton at 867-1139 or email jnjsaxton@msn.com.

No co-ops. No triggers. No localized or regional public option. No BS. Firedoglake is leading the effort to get progressive members of the House to COMMIT -- to PLEDGE -- that they will not vote for any health care reform bill that doesn't have a public plan which is:

• available nationwide
• on day one
• and accountable to Congress and the voters

You can read more about this effort here and track progress reports here. Also check out the most recent reports from Jane Hamsher about what's happening in Washington on this.

It's really, really important at this moment in time to call progressive members of Congress and ask them to Take the Pledge Now. Progressive members of Congress need to draw a line in the sand and demand a public health insurance option -- something 76% of Americans want. Get them to pledge -- or refuse to pledge -- and report your results at the FDL action page.

According to yesterday's whip count, Rep. Ben Ray Luján -- a member of both the Progressive and Hispanic Caucuses -- is leaning yes on the pledge to vote no on any bill without a genuine public option. I think it's wonderful that Rep. Luján is a co-sponsor of Rep. Conyer's single-payer bill, H.R. 676, even if it has little chance of passage. Mary Ellen and I had a chance to meet with him when he was in New Mexico during the 4th of July recess, and we were very impressed with his strong support for the right kind of public option. Now we want to know if he'll take the next step and pledge to vote No on any reform bill without one.

Rep. Martin Heinrich isn't included on Hamsher's whip list because he's NOT a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, believe it or not. But I think he needs to be pinned down on his views on the public option, regardless. Rep. Heinrich ran as a progressive Democrat and I think he could use some contact from constituents to make sure he votes like one on health care reform. The position statement on his website is entirely generic.

As for Rep. Harry Teague, nobody seems to know. If you live in Teague's district, give his office a call and find out where he stands. The health care position statement on his website expresses a good deal of compassion on the issue, but details are few and far between.

Capitol Office Numbers to call:

• NM-01 Martin Heinrich: (202) 225-6316
• NM-02 Harry Teague: (202) 225-2365
• NM-03 Ben Ray Luján: (202) 225-6190

If you make a call and get an answer, please report it in the comments section here as well as at Firedoglake's reporting page.

Governor Bill Richardson and Senator Tom Udall today announced in a press release that New Mexico is partnering with Colorado and Texas to take the initial steps in developing a high-speed rail corridor between El Paso and Denver running through New Mexico.

Congress has authorized up to eleven high-speed corridors across the U.S. Currently only 10 corridors have been designated. The three-state partnership is seeking the 11th designation and will be applying for federal funds to conduct a viability study.

New Mexico, Colorado and Texas could receive up to $5 million from the Federal Railroad Administration under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 to study the viability of the El Paso to Denver High-Speed Rail Corridor. The three states will submit the joint pre-application for funds tomorrow, Friday July 10th.

"The Southwest should not be left out as President Obama seeks to build high speed rail networks across the nation," said Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. "Today, you cannot get from Albuquerque to Denver by rail without changing trains in Los Angeles or Chicago and our regional railways run from East to West, with no North-South connections. This study will lay the groundwork to make a major improvement to public transportation in the Southwest and bring new opportunities for tourism and business growth in New Mexico."

“The overwhelming success of the New Mexico RailRunner is proof of the demand for more modern, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “High-speed rail is the future of our country and is going to be a major boost to the economic vitality of the cities and states along its routes. With this designation, New Mexico will be in better position to meet the evolving economic, workforce, and transportation demands of the 21st Century.”

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama launched an aggressive effort to develop a national network of high-speed passenger rail lines. The president unveiled a strategic plan identifying $8 billion in federal stimulus funds and a separate five-year, $5 billion investment as a down payment to jump-start the nation's high-speed rail lines.

We are one of the last developed nations to build a sophisticated high-speed passenger rail network. For instance, China, Japan, France and Spain already have very efficient high-speed rail networks. They cover hundreds of thousands of miles, providing access between big cities and small towns, spurring economic growth and cutting down on auto travel. An article published yesterday at Forbes.com provides a wealth of information on how other nations are investing heavily in new high speed technologies and systems.

“We are excited to partner with our Western neighbors on this exciting opportunity. High-speed rail has long been a conversation in Colorado, and this designation would provide the funding needed to further examine its feasibility,” Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said. “There is a great deal of movement of people, goods and services along the Front Range and the entire Colorado-Texas-New Mexico corridor, and it is high time Congress designate a Western corridor. This designation would connect our communities, increase economic opportunities, create jobs, and lead Colorado’s transportation infrastructure forward.”

Even Texas Governor Rick Perry -- who just this past April seemed to be advocating for Texas to secede from the union due to his dislike for federal spending -- got into the act. "Improving and expanding our transportation infrastructure is vitally important in a state that grows by more than 1,000 people each day," Perry said. "As we look for more efficient ways to keep Texans moving, high-speed rail is an important option, which is why I am supportive of this and other high-speed rail projects across Texas."

Pickens front center; Teague near back. Cick image for larger.

Legendary energy expert T. Boone Pickens today commended Congressman Harry Teague (NM-02) for his commitment to helping America break its dangerous dependence on foreign oil, according to a statement released by Teague's office. Appearing at the U.S. Capitol (photo above) to mark the anniversary of the launch of the Pickens Plan and Energy Independence Day, the oil executive turned alternative energy advocate lauded Congressman Teague for his efforts to make domestic natural gas a more accessible alternative to imported oil as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1835, the NAT GAS Act.

“As a supporter of the NAT GAS Act, Congressman Harry Teague is a true energy independence crusader, proving his commitment to enabling his constituents in southern New Mexico to choose a legitimately American fuel at the pump,” said Pickens. “Natural gas is the only available domestic resource that can replace foreign oil as a transportation fuel. It’s cleaner, it’s cheaper, it’s abundant, and it’s ours.”

“Natural gas is a clean, efficient, American source of power that will help us end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and New Mexico has plenty of it,” said Congressman Harry Teague. “I’m proud to work with fellow oil man and leader in renewable energies, T. Boone Pickens and my Republican colleagues on this legislation that would help boost energy production in New Mexico.”

Last month, the Potential Gas Committee released a study estimating that natural gas reserves have surged by 35 percent.

The New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act, or NAT GAS Act, would quickly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy while simultaneously reducing transportation fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, and urban pollution where dense vehicular fleets are prevalent.

Now this is exciting. Tracy Dingman and Denise Tessier have just launched a new blog called ABQ Journal Watch that will keep tabs on the content of the Albuquerque Journal -- you know, the one that calls itself New Mexico's "paper of record." You really should visit and read the introductory pieces posted by the two former Journal reporters to get the scoop on what they'll be watching for and why. And how you can help them with your tips.

Complaints about the Journal's editorial bias leaking into its news coverage, article placement and headlines have long been widespread, but increasingly so after the Albuquerque Tribune ceased publication last year. Now there's a new twist to the bias claims with a possible pay-to-play situation developing at the Journal thanks to its new joint advertising/editorial venture with the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.

For another compelling take on the rapidly evolving journalism and new media environment in New Mexico, be sure to read today's piece by V.B. Price at the New Mexico Independent. And not just because he mentions this blog.

U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced in a joint press release that six Native American communities in New Mexico will share nearly $5 million for water improvements. Funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service.

“This nearly $5 million investment of stimulus funding will be used to improve water infrastructure in six communities in New Mexico. It will create good jobs in the short term, and provide long-lasting quality of life improvements in communities where they are badly needed,” Bingaman said.

“Investing in the essential water infrastructure systems for these tribes will improve public health and help keep these communities clean,” said Udall, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “In addition, we will succeed in creating new construction jobs to complete these needed projects.”

Funds will be distributed as follows:

• Mescalero Apache Tribe $991,700 for drinking water main improvements
• Pueblo of Picuris $15,600 for water service line replacements and $989,580 for wastewater treatment improvements
• Pueblo of Laguna $487,500 for new construction of a waterline
• Pueblo of Acoma $350,400 for waterline replacement project and $631,250 for a pilot project using waterless toilets
• Pueblo of Zia $462,500 wastewater system improvements
• Pueblo of Nambe $1.01 million for wastewater system improvements

From Democrats for Change: We're hosting an educational forum on health care reform to be held from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 22, at the Bernalillo Town Hall Council Chamber at 829 Camino del Pueblo in the town of Bernalillo NM. Click for a flyer (doc) and pass it on.

The purpose of this community meeting is to present and discuss the options for health care reform presently before the Congress. We believe the public must be engaged in the debate over health care reform. Our panelists will be:

• Robert Greenberg, MD
• Margaret Montoya, JD
• Bruce Trigg, MD
• Carolyn Roberts, MSN, RN, Executive Director of NMNA
• Leonel Garza, AARP Executive Council Member and State Advocacy Leader

Please join us for a stimulating discussion of the issues on health care reform. For more information, please contact Theresa Trujeque at ttrujeque@comcast.net or Raymond G. Sandoval, Esq. at rgsandoval@rgslegal.us.