Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Abiquiu and El Vado hydro condition assessment
A tariff fee on steel fabricated in Mexico added about $87,000 to the draft tube replacement project, which the board recommended funding from electric production reserves.
Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Disinfection System
New Mexico is proposing pollution limits for the Upper Rio Grande watershed covering aluminum, E. coli, PCBs and more, which will mean more monitoring and discharge requirements when the county's wastewater permits renew in 2027.
Wastewater systems condition and capital plan
Sewer backups keep occurring at a steady rate, driven by old clay pipe at the bottoms of neighborhoods, root intrusion, and cheap flapper-style backwater valves that fail 40-50% of the time. Staff plan a fall RIP-loan program to replace problem lines and a public education campaign.
Plug-in solar policy
Cheap plug-in solar panels are coming whether the utility likes it or not. Staff recommends no interconnection agreement, no export credits, and heavy public education, treating it as buyer-beware while watching UL 3700 certification and possible state legislation (SB 157).
LANL–White Rock tie line completion
The new tie line between LANL and the White Rock hub is essentially built — only recloser programming remains. Combined with backup generators, it could carry all of White Rock's load if the substation ever failed.
Potable Water Storage Tank Inspection and Maintenance
The county is spending about $149,000 to inspect and maintain its drinking water storage tanks, with the related budget revision headed to Council for final approval.