Today's News

Nearly $1 million in United Way of Northern New Mexico designations and allocations went to its member agencies this year from the 2009 campaign that ended Dec. 31.

SOC Los Alamos, the company that provides uniformed protective force services to Los Alamos National Laboratory, is executing workforce restructuring as a result of a reduction in funding, according to a company e-mail forwarded by SOC General Manager Ken Freeman.  

There will be up to 18 positions affected.

SOC is working to transition through this by encouraging individuals to apply for voluntary separation to minimize any involuntary separations.

The workforce restructure is expected to be completed by Sep 30.

After a “ready” and a “set,” Los Alamos National Laboratory announced a “go” Wednesday to begin spending funds available for environmental cleanup under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“We got the money,” said George Rael, assistant manager for Environmental Operations at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Site Office.

That means DOE headquarters has reviewed all project documents and feels comfortable that Los Alamos is set up to get the work done.

Even as the San Miguel Wildland Fire continues to burn, it represents an evolution in federal fire policy.

“Managing fire is about more than fighting fire,” said Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott. “Our goal is to allow lighting-ignited fires to burn naturally within fire-adapted ecosystems when we can do so safely, effectively and efficiently. Every fire is different, and we evaluate the potential risks and benefits of each one.”

Los Alamos Fire Marshal Michael Thompson agreed.