.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Jan. 20–SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department has awarded a contract to analyze plumes at Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases as an initial step in cleanup of “forever chemicals” PFAS and PFOA at both bases. Additionally, the NMED announced it would sample drinking water sources across the state to determine if per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are having impacts on other communities. The department is using much of a $1 million appropriation from the 2020 New Mexico legislative session to hire Daniel B. Stephens and Associations as an environmental consultant. The first step, according to an NMED news release, is to study the size and movement of the groundwater plumes, with cleanup efforts to follow.