Latest news with #Sandia
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico funds $20 million ‘STEM Institute' aimed at improving student scores
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It's tens of millions of dollars approved by New Mexico lawmakers for a project very few people even know about. A new STEM Institute is the most expensive earmark to come out of this year's capital outlay bill. Story continues below Crime: Two ABQ police officers placed on leave in critical pedestrian crash on Central Real Estate: 'Nothing short of a personal resort' luxury property listed for $12M in Santa Fe National: 'I'm sincerely sorry': Billy Joel cancels all concerts due to brain disorder diagnosis The state is trying to close the gap in New Mexico, where students are underperforming in math and science, with the new institute that would be built in Albuquerque. 'We are finally once and for all directing our state dollars that we have available in the right direction,' said Senator Michael Padilla, (D-Albuquerque). The state is already pouring $20 million into the idea, the most money any single capital outlay project got this last session. The money will go toward planning, design, and construction. Managing the project, the New Mexico Higher Education Department said the 'institute' will help address gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over the 2023-24 school year, the state said only 23% of New Mexico students were proficient in math, and just 38% in science. The planned STEM institute would provide tutoring and more for students in fourth through eighth grade. 'I mean, if you looked a decade ago, just a decade ago, we were probably half that rate at that point. So, if you take a look at it from that standpoint and we're making these investments now, I'm looking to see this 23-25% bump all the way up to 40-50%,' said Sen. Padilla. The Public Education Department is expected to run the institute, which has no specific location at this point. HED said whatever gets built will 'equip the next generation with the critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation skills' needed to succeed in an evolving workforce. 'Border Plex, Los Alamos, Sandia, a quantum economy, all of these things that are coming into the state now are going to make a huge difference, but they're not going to make a difference if we don't have a STEM workforce,' said Sen. Padilla. KRQE News 13 tried to talk to the governor's office, the Department of Higher Education, and the state Public Education Department about the STEM Institute, but no one would do an interview at this point. They emphasized that the $20-million project, so far, is still in the planning phases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sandia Labs, Kirtland AFB update public on environmental restoration work
May 3—Thirty years ago, Sandia National Laboratories had 300-some sites in New Mexico with contaminated groundwater. Three contaminated groundwater sites remain today. The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense held a state-required semiannual meeting Tuesday in Albuquerque to update the public on environmental restoration work Sandia Labs and Kirtland Air Force Base are doing. Much of the contamination being cleaned up by the entities dates back to a time before federal environmental regulations — when the labs and Air Force base were in operation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had not yet been established. "All the DOE labs, they started after World War II, and it's because of those activities starting from the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s," said Jun Li, a Sandia Labs environmental professional. "(The) '80s was the time that we had the federal (regulatory) laws." Now, the federal agencies work with New Mexico to clean up whatever contamination still remains from decades ago. "I really do think DOE labs are really ahead of the curve, trying to clean up," Li said, adding that weapons labs around the nation are tasked with cleaning up contamination from past activities. The three groundwater sites Sandia is actively cleaning up or monitoring today cover parts of the Manzanita Mountains east of Albuquerque, as well as the north-central and west-central parts of Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia Labs, according to presentations on display. All the sites have nitrate contamination, a naturally occurring and man-caused substance that, in high levels, poses risks to human health. The carcinogenic compound trichloroethylene, or TCE, was also present in some cases. Sandia will continue monitoring all three sites, likely for decades, according to the labs. Officials say none of the contamination sites present risks to human health because the groundwater isn't used for drinking purposes. On the other side of the room, Kirtland Air Force Base had presentations on display for its five major active cleanup sites, which included groundwater and soil contamination, specifically for nitrate and TCE, and landfills. One site in particular, located on the Air Force Base, is in the early phases of an investigation. U.S. Air Force engineer Begnaud Moayyad said the questions that need to be answered include figuring out what the contamination is, its source, how widespread it is, how toxic it is relative to drinking water standards and if it presents risks to human health. Another flagged site, this one focused on soil contamination, exists on the northwestern part of Kirtland Air Force Base, near the Sunport. Contamination on the site, formerly used for aircraft movement and parking, potentially stemmed from the release of fuel, lubricants and degreasers, according to Kirtland. The base identified the contamination in the '90s, not finding any excessive levels, but still treated the contamination, according to the Kirtland presentations. Cleanup operations took place from 1999 through 2019. The base stopped because it no longer detected contamination, said Darren Knight, a program manager at the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center. The New Mexico Environment Department in 2020 requested the base continue monitoring groundwater and vapor concentrations. Knight said Kirtland has already drilled two new groundwater wells and expects state approval to drill additional vapor monitoring wells. "The reason why it takes so much time is because you have to follow a lot of regulations," Knight said.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Richard L. Coats "Dick" February 14, 1936 - December 14,
Apr. 19—Richard L. Coats "Dick" February 14, 1936 — December 14, 2024. Richard L. Coats "Dick" was born February 14, 1936 in Madill, Oklahoma. Dick attended high school in Durant, Oklahoma and Suitland, Maryland. Dick attended the University of Oklahoma on a Naval scholarship. Upon graduating, Dick was accepted to the Naval Nuclear Power Program at Mare Island in Vallejo, California by Admiral Hyman Rickover. Upon completing his PhD., Dick was hired at Sandia National Laboratories in 1966, where he eventually became a division supervisor. While at Sandia, Dick was involved in several nuclear research programs which included the development of new nuclear test reactors, conducting nuclear safety studies on both current power reactor designs, and also proposed new types of power reactors for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). During his career at Sandia, Dick was awarded the title of Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS). Dick was also the program manager for the Moly-99 medical isotope program, which resulted in a start up company in the private sector with several of his esteemed co-workers from Sandia. In addition to being a brilliant nuclear physicists and engineer, Dick was a talented artist and hobby gardener. Dick will be greatly missed by his family and his former co-workers from Sandia. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Gloria and by his four children: Cindy (husband Barry), Rick, Robin, Beth and his two devoted Bichon Frises. Per Dick's request, there will be no services.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The race is on to capture the ‘heat beneath your feet'
Geothermal development, which seeks to tap the heat deep below the Earth's surface, is hot right now. The clean, renewable energy is tapped from heat continuously produced inside the Earth and used for bathing, heating buildings and generating electricity. Scientists have discovered that the temperature of Earth's inner core is about 10,800 degrees, as hot as the surface of the sun. In Utah this month, the Bureau of Land Management held a lease/sale of land for potential geothermal development, and it netted the most money per acre in recent history, with 14 parcels that brought in more than $5.6 million. The parcels totaled 50,971 acres and were leased for an average of $111.47 per acre. The combined bonus bids, rentals and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the state of Utah and the counties where the leases are located. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, most of the geothermal power plants in the United States are in Western states and Hawaii, where geothermal energy resources are close to the Earth's surface. California generates the most electricity from geothermal energy. The Geysers dry steam reservoir in Northern California is the largest known dry steam field in the world and has been producing electricity since 1960. Utah ranks third in the nation for installed geothermal power, producing 84 megawatts of electricity. Nine years ago, the University of Utah emerged as one of two final contenders in a national hunt to be home to a geothermal demonstration project. The university and Sandia's Nevada site beat out a volcanic area in Bend, Oregon, the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls, and a Sandia site at the U.S. Navy's China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station north of Ridgecrest, California. Ultimately, Utah was picked, achieving a unique victory because the Salt Lake team was the only contender that was a university and not a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory with more access to federal resources. The victory meant that the the U.S. Department of Energy threw its financial muscle at Utah's FORGE project, spearheaded by the university's Energy & Geoscience Institute and watched by a lot of countries — including Germany, Japan, China and the United Kingdom. The project in Beaver County involves the drilling of one of two deep, deviated wells seeking to capture geothermal energy bubbling at 437 degrees. The enhanced geothermal technology works like a radiator, with the planned injection of water into one well that will then be brought up as steam to power a turbine to turn it into energy. In 2023, the FORGE project proved its worth, with two deep vertical wells linked to a long horizontal conduit that made a connection. The project injected 1,800 barrels of water into one well at five barrels a minute and achieved success when it flowed along the horizontal pathway to travel up the production well. That same year, the Department of Energy announced $74 million in competitive funding available to Utah and other states for development of geothermal resources and technology. In 2024, the agency agreed to extend the Utah FORGE project for another four years, granting an additional $80 million in funding. Bryant Jones, executive director of Geothermal Rising, said this latest BLM offering is in stark contrast to a BLM auction just a few years ago. In 2021, the industry was asked by the federal agency for nominations of land for potential geothermal development. The result was a submission of 175,000 acres for a sale in 2023. In that instance, just over 3,000 acres were put up for bid. 'So this is a huge change,' he said. 'We know that it was heavily attended, and a lot of geothermal developers were not successful because there were so many bids. It's not a good problem to have, but it is a positive trend that aligns with the momentum that we are seeing in the geothermal industry.' Jones said the turnabout is based on the need for baseload energy and a clean renewable resource. Geothermal provides both, he added. 'I think we are seeing global politics as they are that there is a need for baseload energy that is local and with an American name that we can generate right here without relying on global supply chains, which are now in a lot of turmoil,' Jones said. 'And geothermal does not require global supply chains the way that intermittent energy and fossil fuels are impacted by global supply chains.' The oil shale revolution of 25 years ago exploded due to the advent of horizontal drilling, which is now key to geothermal development. That technology opens up a lot more spots for potential geothermal, with Jones describing it as a game changer. 'We're seeing a lot of interest from oil and gas developers.' But unlike capturing fossil fuels, geothermal has unique qualities. 'It has the lowest life cycle carbon footprint of any renewable energy technology, less than solar and wind. It has the smallest environmental footprint of all energy technologies. So what we see are environmental organizations seeing these benefits that they far outweigh and surpass all other energy technologies,' he said. Jones added geothermal enjoys support in the political space because it is an 'everywhere' technology. 'Different sides of the political spectrum see and appreciate geothermal for the different attributes that it provides.' Like other projects, geothermal faces the challenges of federal permitting. On average, Jones said it takes about seven years of environmental reviews for a developer to receive a permit. 'Geothermal doesn't have a technology problem. It has a policy problem, and it's a mature technology that's been around for 100 years, more than 100 years. Once we address those policy challenges, the geothermal industry can take off in the United States.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
La Cueva boys/girls track sweep titles; Volcano Vista signs athletes
Apr. 10—La Cueva's boys and girls won a delayed Albuquerque Invitational track and field meet this week. The field events were contested last weekend, but because of the unusually cold weather at Nusenda Community Stadium, only the 3,200-meter running finals were completed at that time. Advertisement The rest of the week was completed Wednesday on the West Side. La Cueva's boys scored 122 points, nearly double that of Sandia (64). The La Cueva girls were pushed a little more. The Bears scored 98 points, with Volcano Vista next with 69 points. Adelyn Harper was one of two double champions in the girls meet. The Albuquerque High athlete won the 400-meter dash, where she was the only girl to finish under 1 minute (59.11 seconds) and also later the 800. The distances were won by Carysa Marquez of Volcano Vista (1,600) and Gianna Rahmer of Eldorado, who won the 3,200 last weekend by 52 seconds. Advertisement Sandia had a big meet, sweeping the top three spots in the open 200, led by Izabelle Akins, and also taking the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays. The Matadors also went 2-3 in the open 100 behind AHS' Anayjah Garza. In the field events, Albuquerque Academy's Grace Erinle swept the long jump and triple jump. Colette Bibeault had a dominant showing in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, 6 inches and winning by 3 feet. Melanie Macias of Atrisco Heritage, one of the school's top softball players, was a big winner in the javelin. Nikko Mihan for the La Cueva boys cut a strong figure in the distances, as he won the 3,200 last weekend and then the 1,600 on Wednesday. Charlie Vause of Rio Rancho, one of the state's elite distance runners, won the 800 on Wednesday but did not run either the 1,600 or 3,200. The sprints were won by Eldorado's Jahari Morehead (200) and Sandia's Chigekwu Nwagbo (100). Advertisement Isaiah Apodaca of Sandia captured first in the 110-meter high hurdles (by .01 seconds) and ran second in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. In the field events, probably the top performance came from La Cueva's Grant Vlaun, who soared 15 feet in the pole vault. Tony Trujillo of the Bears and Gage Conway of Academy both went 42-6 in the triple jump, best in the field. The annual Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions, an all-star meet where New Mexico's top athletes are invited, is coming up Monday afternoon at the University of New Mexico. VOLCANO VISTA SIGNEES: Volcano Vista held a massive signing ceremony on Wednesday. Advertisement Highlights included (the Journal has already reported on several athletes who are not part of this item): Several football-playing Hawks — Daniel Rios and Devin Durkin — are headed to the next level. Rios has signed with Adams State, Colorado, while Durkin signed with Fort Lewis College in Durango, and Dominic Dominguez has signed with the University of Puget Sound in Washington. From Volcano Vista's baseball team, Noah Massey has signed with New Mexico State, and Alijah Romero with Luna Community College in Las Vegas. Standout guard Mila Espinoza from the girls basketball team has signed with Jamestown Community College in New York. Advertisement Ryleigh Jones was an interesting story for the Hawks. She had originally signed to play softball for a junior college power, but de-committed and will instead be a sprinter for Division I Weber State's women's track and field program. One of Volcano's most versatile runners, Carysa Marquez, will run cross country and track distances for Fort Lewis College. From the Hawks' excellent girls soccer program, Peyton Wagner has signed with Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina, Jaden Bussey with Adams State and Addison Garver signed with Eastern New Mexico. Trinity Rubidoux (softball) signed with Trinidad State in Colorado and Skylar Schwartz (volleyball) signed with Yavapai College in Arizona. Advertisement CIBOLA GIRLS SOCCER: The Cougars have hired Roger Baxter to take over their girls soccer program. He replaces former coach Heath Weihe, who stepped down after last season. Baxter, 60, was coaching with Weihe the last half dozen seasons, the first five as a varsity assistant and head JV coach, and last season just as a varsity assistant coach. Cibola's been one of Class 5A's most consistent programs, and won a state title in 2021. "I'm familiar with the program, I'm familiar with the players, I'm familiar with their development," Baxter said. "(I want this) to be a continuation of what we've already built over the last six years. A lot of these girls I've coached or helped develop since they were sixth or seventh graders." Advertisement Although this is Baxter's first high school varsity coaching job, he has coached locally at the club level for the last 16 years, he said. THIS AND THAT: USA Today High School Sports has named Cleveland lineman Moses Sparks (6-4, 280) the state's top prep football player for the 2025 season. Sparks will be a senior next fall for the Storm. ... Alamogordo's boys, by seven shots over Volcano Vista and Hobbs, and Piedra Vista's girls, by 12 shots over La Cueva, won the Class 5A golf preview tournament at San Juan Country Club in Farmington.
