skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Twin Bills Would Use Oil and Gas Funds for Clean Energy, Wildlife

play audio
Play

Monday, January 29, 2007   

New Mexico is flush with cash from oil and gas, and a pair of bills introduced in the State Legislature would ensure that some of those revenues are used for land and wildlife preservation and clean energy development.

Oscar Simpson, President of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, supports the "Land, Water and Clean Energy Act," which would divert $9.5 million from oil and gas revenues into conservation projects. Simpson says the idea is popular with a wide variety of groups.

"Conservation organizations -- all the way from farms, livestock, hunters and sportsmen's, environmental organizations, you name it -- we've got a huge, broad coalition supporting this bill."

If signed into law, a "Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Board" wold be created to oversee the funding of conservation projects across the state. The bill has been introduced as Senate Bill 309 by Michael Sanchez (D-Belen), and House Bill 433, sponsored Richard Vigil (D-Ribera).

Simpson says the new Board could fund a wide array of conservation projects, from agriculture to wildlife preservation.

"It would fund conservation easements for farmlands and ranches; it'll allow you to buy water rights; and it also allows hunters and fishermen to create some areas for wildlife."

Funding also would be made available for energy efficiency projects and the development of biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, solar and wind power. The Senate bill will be heard by the Senate Conservation Committee on Tuesday.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021