New Mexico
Controversial nuclear waste storage proposal faces strong opposition in New Mexico
WEST TEXAS, Texas (KOSA) – A controversial nuclear waste storage proposal is facing significant opposition in the Permian Basin, particularly in New Mexico.
Background and Legal Battle:
The federal government is prohibited by law from engaging in temporary storage of nuclear waste without a permanent disposal plan. However, private companies like Holtec International have found a loophole that allows them to take on this responsibility. Holtec and the NRC have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate their storage license despite regional opposition.
Holtec’s Chief Communications Officer stated:
“The Fifth Circuit’s ruling that the NRC was not authorized to license and regulate nuclear fuel storage is like saying OSHA is unqualified for worker safety, the FAA for aviation safety, and the EPA for environmental safety. We urge the Supreme Court to overturn the Fifth Circuit’s legally unsound position.”
Local Opposition:
This move has sparked outrage and concern among residents and stakeholders in the Permian Basin, who argue that their voices and way of life are being ignored. Monica Perales, counsel for the Permian Basin Coalition, said, “This federal agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is acting like a rogue agency. They’re interpreting the law and deciding it’s within their power to issue a license to allow private companies to consolidate all of America’s spent nuclear fuel and store it in the Permian Basin.”
Environmental and Health Risks:
The Permian Basin Coalition, made up of ranchers, oil and gas operators, and local landowners, has taken their fight to the Supreme Court in hopes of stopping Holtec’s plan. They argue that allowing private companies to store nuclear waste indefinitely without a permanent disposal solution is illegal and poses significant environmental and health risks.
The coalition has raised over 100 contentions against the site, citing seismic risks, constant oil and gas activity in the region, corrosive dust and salt that can lead to corrosion at cracks in the stainless steel canisters, and the potential for dangerous releases of radioactive material. Monica Perales noted, “As these canisters travel on the rail line across the country, all destined for the Permian Basin, they are going ‘bumpity bump’ and developing cracks. Cracks that can’t be fixed, cracks that will corrode, and cracks that will eventually lead to release. Maybe not in my lifetime, maybe not in my son’s lifetime, but eventually, because this remains deadly for hundreds of thousands of years.”
The NRC has acknowledged that it has not solved the problem of chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking in the canisters but has still pushed forward with the licensing process. Holtec and the NRC argue that the storage is temporary, but opponents point out that there is no defined end date for the storage and no permanent disposal site available.
Future Implications:
The Supreme Court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for nuclear waste storage policies and the safety of communities across the country. CBS7 will continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as they become available.
Copyright 2024 KOSA. All rights reserved.
Leapfrog released its 2026 spring hospital safety grades.
Grades are assigned based on overall performance, including patient safety.
The Leapfrog Group’s goal is to publicly report patient safety and quality information for the benefit of consumers, purchasers, and referring physicians as they make decisions about where to seek care and where to direct patients,” the company stated on its website.
Here’s how your local hospitals performed.
MountainView Regional Medical Center – A
Leapfrog gave MountainView an “A.”
“Being the only hospital in Doña Ana County to earn an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group speaks to the high standards our team sets – and meets – every day,” said MountainView CEO Patrick Shannon. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and employees to deliver the safest care possible for our community.”
“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that MountainView is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”
The hospital performed better than average in several areas including low infection rates, addressing safety problems, and ICU care. The hospital received below average performances ratings in surgical site infections post colon surgery, communication about medicine and discharge, communication with doctors and nurses and nursing and bedside care for patients.
Memorial Medical Center – B
Memorial Medical Center received a “B” grade from Leapfrog.
The hospital performed well in effective leadership, reduction and prevention of infections and addressing safety problems.
The hospital received below average ratings for kidney injury after surgery, serious breathing problems, harmful events, communication about medicine and discharge, and communication with doctors and nurses.
Not rated by Leapfrog were Three Crosses Regional Hospital.
Nearby top rated hospitals
Leapfrog gave an A to William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso. Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso received a B.
How did other New Mexico hospitals perform?
A recipients were:
- CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico in Alamogordo
B recipients were:
- Lovelace Women’s Hospital in Albuquerque
C recipients were:
- Carlsbad Medical Center in Carlsbad
- CHRISTUS St. Vincent in Santa FE
- Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell
- Lovelace Medical Center-Downtown in Albuquerque
- Lovelace Regional Hospital in Roswell
- Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque
- University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque
D recipients were:
- San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington
- UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho
Explore the full survey results at https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/.
Jessica Onsurez is editor of the Las Cruces Sun-News. Reach her by email at jonsurez@usatodayco.com.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — The Social Security Office released the most popular baby names for 2025 on Thursday. And here in New Mexico, we saw some familiar names top the charts once again.
Coming in at No. 1 for girls is Mia, and as for the boys, Noah ranks No. 1. That’s no change from 2024 when Mia and Noah also led the pack, both coming in at No 1. For 2025, there were a total of 66 babies named Mia and 115 babies named Noah, while in 2024, there were 81 Mias and 105 Noahs.
What do the names mean? Online sources list a few different interpretations for Mia, but one common association is with the Italian word “mia,” which means “mine.” As for Noah, the name is most commonly associated with the prominent bible figure. It’s thought to mean “rest,” or “comfort.”
Here’s a look at some of the other top baby names in New Mexico for 2025.
- Girls:
- Olivia (65 total)
- Sophia (65 total)
- Sofia (60 total)
- Camila (59 total)
- Eliana (57 total)
- Isabella (56 total)
- Amelia (53 total)
- Aria (45 total)
- Aurora (45 total)
- Boys:
- Liam (109 total)
- Mateo (99 total)
- Elijah (76 total)
- Santiago (70 total)
- Sebastian (69 total)
- Ezra (67 total)
- Elias (66 total)
- Ezekiel (66 total)
- Levi (69 total)
Nationally, Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names, and have been for the past seven years, according to the Social Security Administration. As for the fastest-rising names, Klarity jumped nearly 1,400 spots on the girls’ list, and Kasai jumped 1,108 for boy names.
Other names rising in popularity for boys include Atlas, Adriel, Emiliano, Arthur, and Archer. On the girls’ list, Ailany, Sienna, Amara, and Georgia are becoming more popular.
You can find the full list by state online.
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KRQE NEWS 13 is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
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