ABQJOURNAL BIZ: AROUND N.M.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

AROUND N.M.

Journal and Wire Reports
          Annual Read to Me Drive Starts Today
        The Albuquerque Business Education Compact will kick off its annual Read to Me Book Drive this morning at 10:30 a.m. at Cuidando Los Niños, 1500 Walter SE.
        Veronica Lam and Jason Shoup from the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System will do a puppet show for the children and members of the University of New Mexico Lobo athletics have been invited to be on hand to read and distribute books to children at the center.
        The citywide book drive begins Feb. 15 and runs through March 31, 2010. The goal is to collect 50,000 books and distribute them to children from low-income families. Collection sites include: Borders, John Brooks Supermart, Applebee's, and La Montanita Natural Foods Co-Op. Nearly 50 local employers will also conduct Read to Me Book Drives among their employees and patrons.
        For more information, call Paula Delap-Padilla at 767-5849.
        Irrigation System To Get Solar Power
        Infinergy Wind and Solar of New Mexico has signed an agreement with JJM Farms to design and install a 400 kw solar photovoltaic system in the Pecos Valley in Dexter to power an irrigation system, the company said.
        The initial phase of the project that will begin immediately is to be installed between two center pivot sprinklers and will provide control and motive power for a large center pivot sprinkler as well as the deep submersible irrigation pump feeding that system, Infinergy said in a news release.
        Photovoltaic irrigation power systems can significantly cut one of Pecos Valley agribusinesses' largest operating expenses, the company said.
        San Juan To Audit Energy, Water Use
        AZTEC — The San Juan County Commission on Tuesday approved a contract with a Minnesota-based company to audit the energy and water usage in more than 90 county-operated buildings.
        The $330,000 project is being paid by federal stimulus dollars intended to improve energy efficiency among government agencies.
        Rather than using the funds to immediately start changing light bulbs or installing solar panels on buildings, the county chose instead to do a holistic review of energy use to determine where future resources can best be applied, said Mike Stark, the county projects manager.
        "We're hoping it gives us a road map for looking at how we're currently using energy and water in the county," Stark said.
        Elephant Butte To Release Water
        The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will begin releasing water Thursday from Elephant Butte Reservoir to prepare for irrigation season in southern New Mexico, West Texas and Mexico.
        The bureau will release about 700 cubic feet per second of water from Elephant Butte Dam to flow 20 miles downstream into Caballo Reservoir for storage. The water will be available for agricultural and other Rio Grande Project demands.
        The start of irrigation season is set for March 2.

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