Gov. Bill Richardson got over $57 million in discretionary funds under the 2009 federal stimulus bill.  What’s he doing with the money? Here’s the latest tally, numbers provided by the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment.

First, those projects for which a formal notice of fund allocation has been issued, meaning the money is encumbered and actually allocated on the state’s books and therefore ready to be spent:

1.  The Rail Runner:  $643,500. These funds will cover direct operating costs, excluding maintenance, for an approximate period of two weeks.   According to the NMORR, the funds will be completely expended after that time.

2.  New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment:  $1 million. This money opened and supports the office that serves as the clearing house for funding requests and reports.

3.  Solar Schools Initiative:  $10 million. These funds went to the NM Public Education Department to, according to the public notice issued by the Governor’s office, “purchase and install 100 kilowatt solar photovoltaic or solar electric systems in 15 to 20 public schools statewide.  The funds are intended to support clean eneergy education and demonstrate the benefits of commercial-scale photovoltaic systems.

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