Podcasts about energy transition act

On this week's interview Paul talks to Attorney Germaine Chappelle about the Energy Transition Act and some of its real-world impacts in the Four Corners area (current and prospective). Specifically, Chappelle is working on behalf of the Central Consolidated School District (a heavily Navajo district) to make good on the law's requirements that certain power generation be located within the District's boundaries for purposes of helping the District's property tax revenues which saw a 60% reduction due to the closure of San Juan Generating Station. 

The renewable energy industry -- wind, solar, and geothermal energy -- generates far more jobs than coal, and those jobs pay well and won't end when the coal mines are depleted and shut down.That's the conclusion of energy scientist Jack L. Kerfoot in this, the third in a series of podcasts exploring climate change progress in five states in the southwest.Episode one, focusing on four Northeastern states, and the second episode, analyzing five Midwestern states, are now streaming on YouTube and major podcast channels. This episode moves to Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert and author of the book Fueling America an Insider's Journey. He's the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum at JackKerfoot.com.Highlights:Q. How do we differentiate between states that are making real progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions versus states that are “paper tigers” at addressing climate change?Kerfoot:We should look at these factors:1. Renewable Energy Potential.2. Environmental Standards.3. Eliminating Barriers.4. Eliminating Coal.5. Pollution.6. Economics.7. Climate Change.8. Resilient Power Grid.State Analysis:ARKANSAS – Natural StateArkansas has a diverse range of renewable energy resources including hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. However, only a small portion of Arkansas' renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Paper TigerCOLORADO – Centennial StateColorado has significant wind energy resources on the eastern plains and mountain crests of the state. Colorado also has substantial solar, hydropower, and biomass renewable energy resources. However, only a small portion of Colorado's vast renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Some progress, more action needed.NEW MEXICO – Land Of EnchantmentIn 2002, New Mexico enacted a Renewables Portfolio Standard, mandating all utilities sell 40% of their electricity from renewables by 2025 and 80% by 2040. legislators overwhelmingly approved the Energy Transition Act, requiring utilities to sell 100% of their electricity from zero-carbon sources (renewables or nuclear) by 2045.Verdict – ProgressOKLAHOMA – Sooner StateIn 2010, Oklahoma enacted a Renewable Energy Goal for all utilities to sell 15% of the electricity from renewable sources by 2015. In 2010, Oklahoma used coal to generate 48% of the state's electricity. In April 2023, only 2% of Oklahoma's electricity was generated from coal. In 2021, 3,521 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 1,331 in the lone coal mine and coal-fueled power plants. Verdict – ProgressSOUTH DAKOTA – Mount Rushmore StateIn 2008, South Dakota asked investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities to sell 10% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2015.In 2010, South Dakota used coal-fueled power plants to generate 35% of the state's electricity, but that dropped to 5% in April 2023. In 2021, 2,536 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 168 in natural gas power plants, and 88 in the state's lone coal power plant. Verdict – ProgressQ. What can we learn from the energy policies of these five states in the Southwest?Two states, Colorado and New Mexico have mandated renewable energy standards. Two states, Oklahoma and South Dakota only had nonbinding, renewable energy goals or objectives. Arkansas, has neither a renewable energy standard nor a goal. The states that have made the most progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are South Dakota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.Question:How would you summarize the progress of Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota at reducing GHG emissions and addressing climate change?Neither Arkansas legislators nor utilities have shown any interest at saving tax payers money, reducing pollution, or addressing climate change.Colorado has made progress at moving from fossil-fueled power generation to renewable energy. The export of coal, oil, and natural gas (fossil fuels) has been the cornerstone of the economies for both New Mexico and Oklahoma for over one hundred years. However, both states are now moving from a fossil-fuel economy to a green, renewable energy economy.The people of South Dakota have embraced renewable energy and are reaping the benefits of green energy. South Dakota is already generating over 85% of the state's electricity from renewables, primarily wind. I expect South Dakota will generate 100% of the state's electricity from renewables by 2030.Conclusion:The clock is ticking to address climate change. Voters should support knowledgeable and committed legislators that will actively work to support the development of renewable energy projects in their state and continued reduction in greenhouse gas emission. The next episode focusing on five Southeastern states will stream Sept. 18.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

The renewable energy industry -- wind, solar, and geothermal energy -- generates far more jobs than coal, and those jobs pay well and won't end when the coal mines are depleted and shut down.That's the conclusion of energy scientist Jack L. Kerfoot in this, the third in a series of podcasts exploring climate change progress in five states in the southwest.Episode one, focusing on four Northeastern states, and the second episode, analyzing five Midwestern states, are now streaming on YouTube and major podcast channels. This episode moves to Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert and author of the book Fueling America an Insider's Journey. He's the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum at JackKerfoot.com.Highlights:Q. How do we differentiate between states that are making real progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions versus states that are “paper tigers” at addressing climate change?Kerfoot:We should look at these factors:1. Renewable Energy Potential.2. Environmental Standards.3. Eliminating Barriers.4. Eliminating Coal.5. Pollution.6. Economics.7. Climate Change.8. Resilient Power Grid.State Analysis:ARKANSAS – Natural StateArkansas has a diverse range of renewable energy resources including hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. However, only a small portion of Arkansas' renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Paper TigerCOLORADO – Centennial StateColorado has significant wind energy resources on the eastern plains and mountain crests of the state. Colorado also has substantial solar, hydropower, and biomass renewable energy resources. However, only a small portion of Colorado's vast renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Some progress, more action needed.NEW MEXICO – Land Of EnchantmentIn 2002, New Mexico enacted a Renewables Portfolio Standard, mandating all utilities sell 40% of their electricity from renewables by 2025 and 80% by 2040. legislators overwhelmingly approved the Energy Transition Act, requiring utilities to sell 100% of their electricity from zero-carbon sources (renewables or nuclear) by 2045.Verdict – ProgressOKLAHOMA – Sooner StateIn 2010, Oklahoma enacted a Renewable Energy Goal for all utilities to sell 15% of the electricity from renewable sources by 2015. In 2010, Oklahoma used coal to generate 48% of the state's electricity. In April 2023, only 2% of Oklahoma's electricity was generated from coal. In 2021, 3,521 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 1,331 in the lone coal mine and coal-fueled power plants. Verdict – ProgressSOUTH DAKOTA – Mount Rushmore StateIn 2008, South Dakota asked investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities to sell 10% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2015.In 2010, South Dakota used coal-fueled power plants to generate 35% of the state's electricity, but that dropped to 5% in April 2023. In 2021, 2,536 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 168 in natural gas power plants, and 88 in the state's lone coal power plant. Verdict – ProgressQ. What can we learn from the energy policies of these five states in the Southwest?Two states, Colorado and New Mexico have mandated renewable energy standards. Two states, Oklahoma and South Dakota only had nonbinding, renewable energy goals or objectives. Arkansas, has neither a renewable energy standard nor a goal. The states that have made the most progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are South Dakota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.Question:How would you summarize the progress of Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota at reducing GHG emissions and addressing climate change?Neither Arkansas legislators nor utilities have shown any interest at saving tax payers money, reducing pollution, or addressing climate change.Colorado has made progress at moving from fossil-fueled power generation to renewable energy. The export of coal, oil, and natural gas (fossil fuels) has been the cornerstone of the economies for both New Mexico and Oklahoma for over one hundred years. However, both states are now moving from a fossil-fuel economy to a green, renewable energy economy.The people of South Dakota have embraced renewable energy and are reaping the benefits of green energy. South Dakota is already generating over 85% of the state's electricity from renewables, primarily wind. I expect South Dakota will generate 100% of the state's electricity from renewables by 2030.Conclusion:The clock is ticking to address climate change. Voters should support knowledgeable and committed legislators that will actively work to support the development of renewable energy projects in their state and continued reduction in greenhouse gas emission. The next episode focusing on five Southeastern states will stream Sept. 18.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4719048/advertisement

In this week's episode, Steve discusses the tragic shooting of Alamogordo police officer Anthony Ferguson and the chain of recent horrific crimes that have happened due to Gov. MLG's "soft-on-crime all the time policy"; New Mexico is hot, but the governor's Energy Transition Act is setting our state up for rolling blackouts leaving New Mexicans without electricity in the heat. Host Derek Underhill shares his latest experience with an outage at his home. Senator Martin Heinrich hypocritically spends campaign dollars to secure his own home, NM Rep Stansbury votes against funding the military, an over-the-counter abortion pill is approved, cocaine is found at the White House, and the FBI stops their investigation into it, and Biden might be leading us into WW3. Tune in to hear it all and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inside-nm/message

There will be two debates for Gov. While all debates are important, this one is especially so as MLG has so few details about her future plans. The first debate will take place Sept. 30 and will be hosted by KOB-TV. The second hourlong debate is being hosted by KOAT-TV, along with the Journal and KKOB Radio, and is set for Oct. 12.   Opinion piece runs statewide: MLG is trying to win reelection on abortion. What about other important issues?  https://errorsofenchantment.com/lujan-grisham-touts-abortion-what-about-economy-education/ So far, the most forthcoming remarks MLG has made on her future policy plans have been to the Albuquerque Journal. We compare and contrast the candidates stated views on the issues.  MLG fibs again, this time on COVID numbers. Paul really wishes the media would challenge her on some of these basic questions, but it will fall to Ronchetti to do so in the upcoming debates.  PNM tells policymakers and media (again) that New Mexicans are likely to experience blackouts and brownouts next summer. Again, the media fail to connect this to the Gov.'s Energy Transition Act. California is of course experiencing many of the same issue and will continue to do so until policies change. 

As gas prices in the U.S. have reach new all-time highs, with the national average at $4.48 per gallon, the Biden Administration has canceled more oil and gas leases.   New Mexico's energy transition is already failing, Paul and Wally explain why.  A solar trade dispute means less than half of PNM's solar is ready for Summer 2023. A state representative explains the solar tariff issue and also explicitly states that the Energy Transition Act was designed to shut down San Juan Generating Station.   New data confirms that after years of declines US CO2 emissions did rise in 2021 with Joe Biden in office. CO2 emissions are down 18.3% from their peak in 2007.  The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire now largest wildfire in state history Critics have been saying for years that the feds weren't doing a good job. A 2006 article from the Albuquerque Journal discusses some of this history.  MLG extended the health order again. It expired May 16, but has been renewed until May 30.   20% spending growth year-over-year was just passed at Albuquerque City Council.  Early voting continues at county clerk's offices across New Mexico.  

Dem. State Rep. Georgene Louis was arrested for DUI and also facing charges of speeding and failing to show her vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Super Bowl fans and celebrities attend the game (largely indoors) sans masks despite being in LA County. Kids in California (and New Mexico) continue to attend school in masks.  Numerous (blue) states continue to drop masks both indoors and in schools. New Mexico has not and will likely be among the last to do so.  More coverage on PNM in New Mexico media. Where's discussion on the Energy Transition Act? What will happen next?  The GOP introduced a bill to allow natural gas plants to be considered “renewable” and extend the life of San Juan. HB 220 Sierra Club opposed. Have you noticed the sudden increase in gas prices? We have. Here's how the Biden Administration has contributed and here's what the Legislature is doing to increase them: New Mexico's AG Balderas signs NM onto anti-natural gas brief pushed by city of Berkeley, CA natural gas ban case.  As the 30-day Legislative session hurtles to a close, we discuss the dysfunctional Legislature and where things stand at this point.  Freedom Index votes are being tallied in real time at the Rio Grande Foundation's website. How are your legislators voting? The new City of Albuquerque Council is starting to discuss numerous important issues. Efforts are underway to repeal the plastic bag ban, reduce taxes, remove emergency powers, ban vaccine mandates.

New Mexico has in the past benefited from its vast reserves of fossil fuels. The state has received massive amounts in taxes from the corporations that have mined those very resources. The state government has even managed to benefit as public opinion and policy has shifted in a more environmentally friendly direction. In 2019, the Energy Transition Act was passed and since then New Mexico has been investing more in clean energy. Some though, have asked whether or not New Mexicans have actually benefited from any of the money coming in.  The clear answer is that they have. The presence of so much industry does a lot to create jobs in the state for a great many people. Not just jobs like working at an oil derrick or a solar panel manufacturer, but secondary jobs such as road construction and restaurants. The amount of secondary and tertiary jobs the energy sector has created just by being there is in all honesty impossible to quantify.  The tax revenue brought in also helps by giving the state money to improve its infrastructure, building new roads, repairing old ones, as well as programs to help the poor. Since clean energy has begun to take over, New Mexicans get the additional benefit of cleaner air and the associated improvements to overall health.  However, that doesn’t mean that it is all sunshine and roses. While that shift in energy production has led to many positive benefits for the state’s residents, it has created a couple of downsides as well. One of them is displacement. As most know, wind farms and solar take up massive amounts of land. It takes thousands of acres of either to generate what a fossil plant or especially a nuclear plant can do with a dozen or so. That isn’t to say that the land can’t be reclaimed to an extent. Cattle can graze around windmills and shorter grasses at least can grow around a solar farm. And of course, New Mexico has plenty of deserts to place these renewable power generators in, making the impact on the locals relatively small. However, some still have lost access to land because of the construction and the additional infrastructure that is needed to get the material out to those remote sites. Also, let’s be honest, not everyone likes the site of those windmills or the solar panels reflecting all that sun. That means the locals have to deal with loss of land and loss of peace and tranquility that they had previously taken for granted.  And this brings us to the real problem we’d like to focus on here. Whether it’s fossil fuels, or wind and solar, no one has bothered asking the locals what they think about everything going on. What kind of power do they want? Would they rather have the windmills along the roads or the smokestacks in the cities? Or maybe they would rather have nuclear. As things currently stand, the state just makes deals with the energy companies with nothing more than lip service to the will of the citizens. They offer tax breaks and companies come. Sometimes it’s hard to see where the government stops and the company starts.  Instead, wouldn’t it be better to ask the people what sort of power they’d like to have? What kind of trade-offs do they want to make since they are the ones most affected by them? Do they want an obstructed view and cleaner air, or dirty air but no loss of trails to explore? Or good views, clean air, but a slight risk of a significant accident?  Naturally, one might be concerned that the average person isn’t equipped to make those decisions. All right, equip them. Take the time to actually educate people without talking down to them. Give them the data and treat them like people capable of making decisions on their own. Show people the data, the good, the bad, and the ugly of all the options. Once they have that data, they could actually make an informed decision and from there, they could let the state government and companies work out the particulars.  What’s your data worth? www.tartle.co

Welcome to 2021! This week, Rick and Larry discuss how New Mexico's Energy Transition Act is already raising electric rates, despite it's supporters saying 'it'll never happen." And in Alaska, there is energy opportunity in the near future! www.PowerTheFuture.Com

In this unique and timely episode, Paul sits down with two experts on utilities to discuss the purchase of PNM by Avangrid and the impact the push for "renewables" is having on electricity prices and grid stability in New Mexico.    Larry Behrens runs Power the Future NM which advocates for pro-energy policies. Larry's group has been critical of the Energy Transition Act.    Dax Contreras was an energy trader for five years working for PNM. Dax's job was to keep the lights on for PNM customers across New Mexico by purchasing (and selling) power to customers across the Western United States. 

The State of New Mexico is launching a new “smart infrastructure” and carbon-neutral energy plan as part of its 2019 Energy Transition Act — and here is one of the best parts of the plan: The state aims to fund the entire $20 billion project with private investment. The so-called digital twin platform project is being pursued through a partnership between two companies, one named The Agile Fractal Grid, the other is named Cityzenith. Our guests are the chief executives from those companies, John Reynolds and Michael Jansen, respectively. (10/20)

The State of New Mexico is launching a new “smart infrastructure” and carbon-neutral energy plan as part of its 2019 Energy Transition Act — and here is one of the best parts of the plan: The state aims to fund the entire $20 billion project with private investment. The so-called digital twin platform project is being pursued through a partnership between two companies, one named The Agile Fractal Grid, the other is named Cityzenith. Our guests are the chief executives from those companies, John Reynolds and Michael Jansen, respectively. (10/20)

In this week’s episode Steve talks about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the importance of filling the open Supreme Court seat, and George Soros funding anti-police district attorneys and politicians. Next, we hear from state legislative candidates about the left’s extreme energy and climate policy positions, how they would have voted on the Energy Transition Act, the oil and gas industry’s impact on our budget, and supporting our economy through energy production. Steve also talks about President Trump’s response to the West Coast wildfires and his own thoughts on the problem. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/inside-nm/message

On this week's interview podcast, Paul sits down with Public Regulation Commissioner Jeff Byrd. Byrd represents a district encompassing almost all of Eastern New Mexico. Commissioner Byrd and Paul discuss the role of the PRC and his job as a Commissioner, numerous issues relating to the PRC including the changes made to the Chair position, the Constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall (and why Jeff believes it should NOT be adopted), and numerous aspects of electricity in New Mexico surrounding the Energy Transition Act.    

The renewable energy industry ranks 7th among 17 industries and institutions included in the 2020 Garrity Perception Survey. This episode of the Perception Podcast features an interview with Mr.  Fernando Martinez, the executive director of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority.New Mexico residents have a favorable opinion of the wind and solar industry according to the 2020 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS). Among the 17 industries surveyed, the renewable energy industry is the seventh most favorable industry in the state. The scientific survey among New Mexico residents was conducted in late January 2020. “The renewable energy industry is favorably positioning New Mexico to be a significant player in the generation and transmission of clean energy due in large part to New Mexico's great assets in plentiful and quality wind and sunshine.” said Tom Garrity, President and CEO of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “The move to renewables is also driven by the 2019 Energy Transition Act that establishes a pathway for a low-carbon energy transition away from coal.”According to the State of New Mexico, the Energy Transition Act sets a statewide renewable energy standard of 50 percent by 2030 for New Mexico investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives and a goal of 80 percent by 2040, in addition to setting zero-carbon resources standards for investor-owned utilities by 2045 and rural electric cooperatives by 2050.New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority's Executive Director Fernando Martinez shared some insights about the increased favorability of the industry during a recent interview with Tom Garrity. “There are economic and environmental reasons for increased favorability of the industry.  Western energy policies have changed rapidly in the last few years. There are energy policies, meant to meet environmental benefits that are going to realized in NM and the surrounding states, but it is also great economics that are driving the wind and solar industry right now. Because wind and solar are now cheaper than new gas and new coal and that is even without the incentives of investment tax credits and production tax credits. We can say that wind and solar are now a large part of the new energy markets based solely on low cost.  And we expect by early 2030s that n w s will be cheaper than existing gas.”New Mexican's favorability of the renewable energy industry has been consistently favorable, hovering right around 60 percent since the GPS started in 2011. Residents who are likely to have a favorable impression of the renewable energy industry includes voters who are registered as a democrat, have a graduate degree, household income of $40,000-$79,99 each year and between 50-64 years of age. Geographically, residents in the North Central region are the most favorable of wind and solar industry.  New Mexicans living in Albuquerque and the Las Cruces area are also favorable of the industry.About the Garrity Perception Survey and P.A.C.E. The 2020 Garrity Perception Survey is a scientific survey of New Mexico residents conducted by Research & Polling Inc. The survey has a 95% level of confidence.  The Garrity Group first commissioned the survey in 2011 and makes its cross-tab data available to help its clients identify and understand their target audience. The PACE solution leverages the demographic and geographic insights as a way for our clients to be relevant before their New Mexico audience. Identifying how our clients are Perceived by their Audiences, we Create a way for them to Engage relevant advocates.  For more information visit GarrityPR.com.

On this week's episode, Paul sits down with Tom Mullins. Tom is on the Board of the Rio Grande Foundation. He is in the oil and gas industry and resides in the Four Corners area (Farmington). That area of our State has suffered serious economic challenges for more than a decade as natural gas prices have dropped significantly. Worse, they recently were hard-hit by the COVID 19 epidemic with even some of Tom's family members dealing with the issue.   As if that is not all bad enough there are two significant additional economic threats to the region in the form of the shutdowns from the Energy Transition Act and the Governor's Methane Rule. Both of those could have further, negative impacts on the already-struggling region.   All is not lost, however, as Tom and Paul discuss there is a potential carbon sequestration plan that could save the Generating Station and with the Virus threatening big cities, the Four Corners with its wide-open spaces could be a more attractive destination for people looking to relocate. Finally, efforts are in the works to bring a rail spur to the area.

In this week's episode, Steve talks about the current and future economic consequences of the Energy Transition Act and the Coronavirus and its potential impact here in New Mexico. Steve also interviews State Sen. Craig Brandt about education, the Red Flag bill and the large national donations to New Mexico Democrats. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/inside-nm/message

On this week's discussion Paul interviews Kenneth Costello. Costello analyzes New Mexico's rapidly changing utility regulatory structure for the Rio Grande Foundation. He has conducted extensive research and written on a wide variety of topics related to the energy industries and public utility regulation. Ken and Paul discuss what makes utility regulation unique and some of the history of regulation in New Mexico including the flirtation with deregulation and what ultimately killed it. Paul and Ken of course discuss current trends in utility regulation including the Energy Transition Act and what will happen next in electricity in the State.   You can read one of Ken's recent articles which took on the Energy Transition Act here.  

Paul talks with Peter Mandelstam, Chief Operating Officer, of Enchant Energy about the company’s plans to add carbon capture technology to San Juan Generating Station.  Enchant Energy is working with the City of Farmington to acquire a 95% interest in the plant which is currently operated by PNM. Paul visits with Peter about the progress Enchant Energy has made to date, as well as the challenges ahead that must be overcome if the project is to raise the capital to add the carbon capture technology that would allow San Juan Generating Station to continue to operate past the 2022 date that PNM is seeking for closure.  Issues discussed include the jobs and tax revenue that would be maintained by keeping the plant open, the federal tax credits that will be used in financing the carbon capture technology, and how the retrofitted plant would comply with New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act.

This week on New Mexico in Focus, we continue our annual countdown of the top stories of the year, with a special Line opinion panel of all journalists. Our look back at 2019 wraps up with topics such as the passing of the landmark Energy Transition Act and the move toward recreational cannabis legalization. But what tops the list as the most impactful story of the year? Tune in as The Line panelists break it all down. NMiF also revisits a grass-finished beef ranch in Tierra Amarilla that’s the latest venture of four generations of the Casados family. C4 Enterprises plans to build its own butchering and meat processing operation with help from the state and local economic development groups. It’s a project that’s a far cry from the flash of Facebook and Netflix, but one that may hold the key to revitalizing rural New Mexico.

This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with Albuquerque Journal business reporter Kevin Robinson-Avila to discuss his in-depth series on The Energy Transition Act. The ETA, signed into law this year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, requires all local utilities to get half of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 – prompting a shakeup among rural electric cooperatives, which serve more than 200,000 people in New Mexico, and with the wholesale supplier where cooperatives buy their power. Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the court case that again questions the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The federal law, passed in 1978, mandates priority placement of Native American children up for adoption within a Native community. The law was created to counteract the historical practice of removing Native American children from their tribe and family and placing them in a non-Indian family or institution. The Line opinion panelists also tackle the controversial law that set high standards to keep defendants jailed pre-trial, but that also resulted in an early release for a suspect in the infamous Victoria Martens murder case. For their final topic, the panelists look at what it means for a rural town, like Springer, New Mexico, to temporarily have no fire department.

Paul recently spent some time in Farmington for a few talks. He also attended another PNM meeting on Energy Transition Act. Rail Runner and transit ridership are declining.  Sen. Udall reintroduces a bill to overturn Citizens United. What has the ACLU said about this issue? William Perry Pendley who spoke at an RGF luncheon in 2017 has been picked to head up BLM. ABQ needs to address issues with its transparency site and Paul sat down with KRQE Channel 13 to discuss. Finally, lawsuits have been filed by Patriot groups on efforts to get referendums on the ballot. 

This week, we're happy to share with you a podcast we love and enjoy called ‘Building Local Power” produced by the Institute For Local Self-Reliance and hosted by ILSR staff members Chris Mitchell, Stacy Mitchell and John Farrell. The podcast offers new ideas for breaking the hold of corporate monopolies and expanding the power of communities to chart their own future. The following episode is titled “Shining a Light on Anti-Competitive Behavior”. They discuss the AT&T and Timer Warner merger; how New Mexico's Energy Transition Act is not in the public interest, and other anti-competitive corporate actions and state policies that might have slipped under the radar. Help us thrive and not just survive, by becoming a member. Support theLFShow by becoming a member today!

The just passed Energy Transition Act sets New Mexico on a path for carbon-free electricity generation by 2045. The controversial Bill requires the state’s public utilities to derive 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2030, 80 percent … Continue reading →

Host Chris Mitchell is joined by ILSR Co-Directors Stacy Mitchell and John Farrell for a conversation on various anti-competitive corporate actions and state policies that might have slipped under your radar. Topics discussed include: The recent AT&T and Time Warner merger. Stacy explains how the vertical merger enables AT&T and Time Warner to dominate their industry by owning the pipelines for content distribution as well as owning the content itself. The trio discuss why mergers continue to happen despite empirical evidence that prices rise instead of fall after mergers have gone through. How a state's clean energy policy could ultimately hurt its residents. The Energy Transition Act sets the stage for New Mexico to transition to 100% renewables but it includes a very damaging compromise which promises the monopoly utility company a big chunk of the profits from the transition instead of allowing local communities to reap the benefits. The rise of cashless retail and how it enables credit card companies and banks to skim a lot of money ($64 billion yearly) from the U.S. economy without providing much value in return. Amazon's continuing efforts to influence government and set the rules for the market. And book recommendations, of course! As these companies become less accountable to us, they hurt their smaller rivals in the market, they raise our prices, and generally harm our democracy.     Related Resources What's Going on With the Internet? (Episode 57) John Kwoka: economist focusing on mergers Twice Burned, Once Shy—Why Californians Should Be Wary of Bailing Out PG&E Again Don't-Miss Opportunity for Local Choice in Landmark Carbon-Free Bills — Episode 72 of Local Energy Rules Podcast How the Other Half Banks by Mehrsa Baradaran Boise has the largest geothermal system in the country. Here's how it works The Battle For Paradise: Puerto Rico Takes on the Disaster Capitalists by Naomi Klein Transcript Chris Mitchell: We have an amazing Building Local Power today. We have several subjects that we're probably going to have to cut short because they're so interesting, and we're so interested in them, but we're going to try and get through all of them. We're going to talk about AT&T and Time Warner, something that we teased you about a few months ago and never got back to. We're going to talk about how a certain utility policy regarding renewable energy may seem like a quick win, but could be a real bad problem. Then we're going to talk about cashless retail and some Amazon interesting moves. We're going to talk about all that stuff with me, Chris Mitchell, who runs the broadband program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and we've got Stacy Mitchell from the Portland office. Stacy Mitchell: Hey Chris, hey John. Chris Mitchell: And we've got John, John Farrell, the head of the energy program. John Farrell: Hey Chris, hey Stacy. Chris Mitchell: We're not going to rehash 5G, which I wanted to do, but it turns out we talked about that in Episode 57. If you're really interested in that, that was a fun conversation Hibba and I talked about at the end of our talk. But we're going to start off by talking about some of the mergers in telecom because there's been a few interesting revelations lately. Stacy, I'm wondering if you maybe just want to set a little bit of background as to why you found it interesting, this AT&T attempting to purchase Time Warner, which owns CNN and HBO but is not Time Warner Cable. This is AT&T buying a company that has a lot of content. Why is that interesting from your perspective? Stacy Mitchell: You've got this vertical merger where you have a company that owns a lot of pipelines for distribution by a company that has a lot of content. It raises questions about how AT&T, for example, might use control of that content to disadvantage companies that it competes with. The merger went through. The government did, actually, interestingly, oppose it,

This week we break down The Energy Transition Act, which would make New Mexico a national leader in renewable energy and shut down the San Juan Generating Station.