Press Releases

Press release: Night work will be performed on Hull overpass

Hamon Contractors, Inc. will be performing night time operations to pour the bridge deck on the Hull Street Overpass. The pours will be on September 7th and 9th and will run from approximately 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. During the course of the pour overhead lighting will be used. The need for the night time pour is that they are using high performance concrete and the reduced air temperatures aid in the placement of the concrete.

 Should you have any questions, please contact Justin Howalt, City Engineer at (575) 769-2376 or e-mail publicworks@cityofclovis.org

Press release: USAF proposes low altitude tactical training area

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - The United States Air Force is seeking input regarding its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of establishing a Low Altitude Tactical Navigation area in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The LATN would provide airspace to operate C-130 and CV-22 aircraft for training purposes. The LATN would allow the Air Force to train aircrew members and conduct military flight activities which may include, but are not limited to, air combat maneuvers and low altitude tactics.

The LATN will provide training airspace for Air Force Special Operation Forces at Cannon Air Force Base. Cannon AFB is located in eastern New Mexico approximately five miles west of the city of Clovis. The training would consist of approximately three sorties per 24-hour period, or approximately 688 flights annually. Aircraft altitudes would remain between 200 and 3,000 feet above ground level, with the majority of the sorties taking place at 500 feet above ground level at airspeeds at or below 250 knots, and the majority of flights would take place after dusk.

Approximately 95 percent of flights would occur Monday through Friday.

FAA and Air Force regulations require aircraft utilizing the LATN area to avoid airfields, towns, noise-sensitive areas, and wilderness areas by prescribed vertical and/or horizontal distances. For all other areas within the LATN, aircrews are prohibited from flying over the same point more than once per day. The sole objective of the LATN area is to support low-level flight training operations.

Mountainous terrain best supports development of special operations mobility skills. The proposed LATN area in Colorado and New Mexico was selected due to the varied topography and weather, proximity to Cannon AFB, and lack of large civilian populations. Realistic raining in the LATN would enhance the 27 Special Operations Wing's ability to provide air combat support and would sustain combat-ready crews for worldwide deployment.

This notification is being sent pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and Air Force policy. The EA will assess the environmental impacts from the proposed action, one alternative which includes creating a smaller LATN area, and a no action alternative. The Air Force would like input concerning the proposed action and alternatives, as well as issues to address in the EA. For more information, visit the Cannon AFB website at www.cannon.af.mil, or contact 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs at 575-784-4131 or 27SOWpublicaffairs@cannon.af.mil by October 4, 2010.

-Air Commandos-

Press release: City seeks input on city’s infrastructure and capital improvement plan

The City of Clovis will hold a public meeting at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at the North Annex, Clovis-Carver Library, 701 Main Street, Clovis to discuss major projects/purchases that should be included on the City’s Infrastructure and Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP). Residents of Clovis are invited to attend and provide input on projects they believe should be included.

 The ICIP is a document that is revised each year to show major projects the City hopes to accomplish within the next five years. A “major” project is defined as one that exceeds $15,000 and is a one-time cost. Projects must also fall under the responsibility of local government and not be related to private business.

 Municipalities and counties all over New Mexico submit their ICIP’s to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration each year, and state legislators use these documents to decide which projects will receive state capital outlay funding in subsequent years.

 Should you have any questions or comments regarding this meeting, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 575-769-7828.

Press release: Clovis man killed in Carlsbad crash

Carlsbad – Juan Castillo 35 y.o. of Clovis New Mexico was killed in a motor vehicle crash this weekend leaving his 11 y.o. passenger in critical condition.

Sunday afternoon State Police Officers responded to a single vehicle crash just east of Carlsbad on US Highway 62/180, upon the officers arrival they learned that Juan Castillo was driving his 2000 Isuzu Rodeo east on US 62/180, when it traveled onto the median. Castillo overcorrected to the right causing the vehicle to lose control and travel back onto the eastbound lanes, crossed over to the south side of the roadway. The Isuzu then went into a broad side slide and rolled coming to rest on its wheels facing in a northwesterly direction

Gisselle Guerrero 11 y.o. also of Clovis, NM was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash and was subsequently transported to the Carlsbad Medical Center. Castillo was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. Excessive speed, driver inattention and alcohol is listed as contributing factor in the crash.

Seatbelts were being utilized by both occupants of the vehicle.

Press release: DWI checkpoint scheduled for Saturday

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 10:00 PM to 02:00 AM, Saturday,

September 4th from 10:00 PM to 02:00 AM, and Monday, September 6th

from 05:00PM to 09:00PM, Officers of the Clovis Police Department will be

conducting a DWI Check Point in the City of Clovis. Officers will be

specifically targeting drunk drivers. The ODWI Grant makes this possible

from Safer New Mexico Now.

 The Clovis Police Department would like to remind you that Law Enforcement

Officers throughout New Mexico and Curry County will be out in force to

make sure that drunk drivers don’t cause tragedy on the roads this year.

Please drink responsibly and have a sober designated driver or call a taxi

to get you home. Remember, Sobriety Checkpoints and Patrols are everywhere

and if you Drink, You Drive, You Lose!

Press release: Bingaman: New Mexico receives grants to support law enforcement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico has received more than $7 million in federal grants to support law enforcement efforts. The grants come through the U.S. Department of Justice.

“These grants come at a time when local law enforcement agencies are making tough financial decisions. I’m glad these investments will support efforts to make our state a safer place to live,” Bingaman said.

• $600,000 to New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to prevent juvenile delinquency

• $256,041 to New Mexico Attorney General’s Office to protect children from Internet exploitation

• $250,000 to City of Las Cruces for an afterschool program for at-risk youth

• $755,341 to City of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County to upgrade communications technology, among other things

• $2.77 million to New Mexico Department of Public Safety to provide state and local agencies with additional personnel, equipment, supplies and training

• $2.98 million to New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission to enhance crime victim services

• $22,068 to Otero County to improve crime scene investigations through the purchase of photography equipment, crime scene sketch kits and arson investigation equipment

• $33,302 to City of Clovis/Curry County for the purchase of license plate recognition systems

• $17,495 to City of Las Vegas for cameras used to document evidence for prosecution, among other things

• $51,996 to City of Rio Rancho/Town of Bernalillo. Rio Rancho will purchase a police cruiser; Bernalillo will purchase tactical, bicycle and patrol equipment and two mobile data terminals

• $49,332 to City of Roswell to purchase a police cruiser, firearms and other equipment

• $10,746 to Taos County for the purchase of radios, latent fingerprint kits and first aid kits for officers

• $19,671 to Eddy County to fund overtime at youth activities

• $11,856 to City of Bloomfield for the purchase of three Stalker Radar Units

• $52,839 to City of Gallup/McKinley County for the purchase of laptops to be installed in officer vehicles, and other equipment

• $76,640 to Santa Fe County purchase equipment and fund projects addressing domestic and sexual abuse

• $11,634 Village of Los Lunas to purchase radar devises to be mounted in patrol vehicles

Press release: American Water granted permission to drill second well

CLOVIS, N.M. (Aug. 19, 2010) – New Mexico American Water and its contractors on the Lower Dockum Exploratory Deep Well project have received permission from the Office of State Engineer to drill a second well near the site of the first well, which failed due to technical difficulties.

“Our job is to make sure there is a reliable long-term water supply for Clovis,” said New Mexico American Water Vice President Daniel Bailet. “The Lower Dockum Formation may be part of the solution for us.”

The first exploratory deep well failed in August due to difficulties associated with construction efforts. Conditions deep underground caused cement to cure prematurely in one of the zones targeted for water testing. This would have compromised the company’s ability to determine the production and quality characteristics at that depth and reduce the effectiveness of the well for researching water productivity. Costs associated with the second well will be borne by the contractors involved, not by ratepayers.

“This is the first time the Lower Dockum has been explored in this region and Mother Nature threw us a curveball,” Bailet said. “Our timeline is set back several weeks but the contractors will pick up the additional costs.”

New Mexico American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and related services to approximately 60,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

Press release: Rep. Luján’s District Staff to Hold Mobile Office Hours in Clovis, Corrales, Santa Fe, Bloomfield, Jemez, Mora, Gallup, and Chimayo

Washington, DC – Rep. Ben Ray Luján’s district staff will hold Mobile Office Hours throughout the district in the early afternoon on Thursday, August 19.

Mobile Office Hours allow staff to be available to residents who may need assistance with casework, but may not have the means or time to travel to one of Rep. Luján’s six district offices. Staff will be on hand to assist residents who have questions regarding Social Security benefits, immigration applications, veterans’ services, and other federal programs.

Clovis

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Friendship Senior Citizen Center, 901 West 13th Street, Clovis

Corrales

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Corrales Senior Center, 4324 Corrales Road, Corrales

Santa Fe

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Genoveva Chaves Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe

Bloomfield

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Huerfano Chapter House Boys & Girls Club-Senior Center, 536 County Road 7150, Bloomfield

Jemez

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Jemez Senior Center, 8154 Highway 4, Jemez Pueblo

Mora

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Mora Senior Citizen Center Highway 3, Behind the City Hall, Mora

Gallup

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Northside Senior Center, 607 North 4th Street, Gallup

Chimayo

When: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Benny Chavez Community Center, Route 1, Box 6-B Juan Medina Road, Chimayo

Press release: CH2M Hill selected to manage Tres Amigas construction services

DENVER, CO and SANTA FE, NM--(Marketwire - August 10, 2010) - Tres Amigas, LLC, a merchant transmission company, and CH2M HILL, a global full-service consulting, design, construction, and operations firm, today announced that CH2M HILL has received a contract to provide program management services for building the Tres Amigas SuperStation in Clovis, New Mexico. Once completed, the SuperStation will tie together America's three power grids for the first time ever.

Construction of the SuperStation is projected to commence in 2012 and be completed in 2014. Under the terms of the contract, CH2M HILL will provide overall program management services and logistical support to ensure that the project remains on schedule.

CH2M HILL is providing similar services for other ambitious, high-profile projects such as serving as the Delivery Partner for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games being hosted in London, England, the expansion of the Panama Canal, and Masdar City, a multi-billion-dollar project taking place outside of Abu Dhabi's downtown that aims to be one of the world's most sustainable urban developments powered by renewable energy.

"CH2M HILL is pleased to assist Tres Amigas, LLC with this landmark project," says Don Zabilansky, president of CH2M HILL's Power Group. "The Tres Amigas SuperStation will enable cross-regional marketing of clean electricity, enhance power grid reliability and security, and provide new opportunities for renewable energy producers. This strategic infrastructure program will transform the way electricity is delivered to customers across the United States utilizing the most advanced technology."

Phil Harris, the former CEO of the world's largest transmission balancing area (PJM Interconnection) and CEO and founder of Tres Amigas, LLC, said, "The Tres Amigas SuperStation will offer multiple benefits to power consumers and energy producers across North America, including savings projected in the hundreds of millions of dollars due to the more economic dispatch of electric power. Tres Amigas will also increase the value of several large transmission projects planned for the Southwest and will support the expansion of a reliable national corridor system. Tres Amigas, LLC is committed to completing the SuperStation in its projected timeline, and CH2M HILL has the expertise and experience needed to ensure that happens. We're pleased that this leading firm will provide Tres Amigas with planning, organization and logistical support throughout the construction of the project."

The Tres Amigas SuperStation

The SuperStation project site in Clovis, New Mexico is at the intersection of the nation's three grids -- the Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection and the Texas Interconnection. At the heart of the project are HVDC (high voltage DC) superconductor cables, which are, in essence, superconductor electricity "pipelines." These pipelines combine conventional underground pipeline construction techniques with two highly complementary electric power technologies: HVDC superconductor power transmission cables and multi-terminal (voltage-source) AC/DC power converters. The result is a high-capacity, expandable electric transmission "pipeline" that is underground, easy to site and access, highly efficient and controllable, offers greater security and avoids complex cost allocation issues for interstate transmission.

The SuperStation will serve as a market hub and balancing authority, enabling the economic transfer of thousands of megawatts of power among the three interconnections. Similar to highway rotaries used for traffic flow control, multiple power transmission lines from each of the three interconnections will feed power into and out of the SuperStation through multiple alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) converters, each connected by DC superconductor cables. Tres Amigas, which will be a balancing authority, will help ensure the efficient and reliable flow of power from multiple conventional and renewable generation sources in all three power grids to customers across a wide area of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About CH2M HILL:

Headquartered in Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $6.3 billion in revenue and 23,500 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2010). The firm's work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environmental, energy and power, and facilities and infrastructure. The firm has long been recognized as a most-admired company and leading employer. Visit www.ch2mhill.com.

About Tres Amigas:

Tres Amigas, LLC, headquartered in Santa Fe, NM, is uniting the nation's electric grid. Utilizing the latest advances in power grid technology, Tres Amigas is focused on providing the first common interconnection of America's three power grids to help the country achieve its renewable energy goals and facilitate the smooth, reliable and efficient transfer of green power from region to region. Tres Amigas, LLC is a merchant transmission entity composed of electric utility industry operational, technology and thought leaders. More information is available at www.tresamigasllc.com.

Press release: Rep. Lujan Visits to Clovis, Tucumcari revised

Washington, DC - Rep. Ben Ray Lujan's schedule for Clovis and Tucumcari has changed.

Friday - Clovis

WHAT: Rep. Luján to Attend Cannon Air Force Base Appreciation Day

WHEN: Friday, August 6, 2010 11:30 am

WHERE: Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, NM

WHAT: Rep. Luján to Participate in a Ribbon Cutting for the Eastern Plains Housing Development Corp

WHEN: Friday, August 6, 2010 1:30 pm

NEW ADDRESS - WHERE: The Cheyenne Trails Apartments, Ruby Goforth Community Building, 1504 Red Cloud Place, Clovis, NM 88101

Saturday - Tucumcari

WHAT: Rep. Luján to Tour the Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital

WHEN: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 8:00 am

WHERE: 301 East Miel de Luna Ave., Tucumcari, NM

CANCELED - WHAT: Rep. Luján to Tour Tucumcari Mountain Cheese Factory

CANCELED - WHEN: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 2:00 pm

CANCELED - WHERE: 823 East Main Street, Tucumcari, NM