I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
New Mexico will be getting up to $100 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help build and run a New Mexico integrated biorefinery project near Columbus, New Mexico. The demonstration-scale facility “will cultivate algae in ponds that will ultimately be converted into green fuels, such as jet fuel and diesel, using the Dynamic Fuels refining process” according to the description of the project from the DOE (pdf).
The money will go to Sapphire Energy, a Las Cruces-based San Diego-based company (the New Mexico operations of Sapphire Energy are based out of Las Cruces) which will begin construction of the facilitiy in September of 2010. Just under half of the money, $50 million, will come as a grant from the Recovery Act through the Integrated Biorefinery Program. The other $54.5 million will be provided in the form of loan guarantees through the Biorefinery Assistance Program.
“Producing the energy that powers America is something that New Mexico has always done. As we begin to add renewable fuels to our energy portfolio, I am proud that southern New Mexico will remain a leader in the energy industry,” said Congressman Harry Teague. “Investments like these will have a huge impact on our communities, not only in the jobs that will be created but in keeping southern New Mexico on the forefront of the new energy economy.”
A press release from Teague’s office said the money would result in 750 direct or indirect jobs from the construction, administration and operation of the facility.
The money is coming from the stimulus package that Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law earlier this year.
The New Mexico biorefinery is one of 19 projects in 15 states which will cost up to $564 million in Recovery Act funding from the Department of Energy.
“Advanced biofuels are critical to building a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system in the U.S.” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “These projects will help establish a domestic industry that will create jobs here at home and open new markets across rural America.”
Dr. Jason Pyle, the CEO of Sapphire Energy, praised Teague for his help in “secur[ing] the nearly $104million in USDOE grants and loan guarantees for Sapphire Energy’s biorefinery.”
“Sapphire Energy and the state of New Mexico will continue to show that algae-based fuel is smarter energy and will keep this state on the world energy map,” Dr. Pyle said in a statement.
Updated 2:34 p.m.
Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman, both Democrats, just sent out statements on the proposed facility
“This federal investment will create jobs in New Mexico while helping our country reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels,” said Bingaman, who is the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This is great news for our state — one that will have a positive impact now and in the long term.”
“This funding builds on New Mexico’s investment in the development of advanced, homegrown biofuels like algae,” Udall said. “As a result, we will decrease our dependence on foreign oil, reduce our carbon footprint, and create jobs for hardworking New Mexicans.”
