Because of the extreme cold, and In large part due to the rolling blackouts and shortages in Texas, many cities in New Mexico are also experiencing rolling blackouts, and several towns have announced they will run out of natural gas shortly. More info here
Residents across the state are being asked to lower thermostats and restrict natural gas usage.
The governor has declared a State of Emergency due to the shortage. Santa Fe public schools canceled all after school activities, and if the shortage continues all schools will be closed tomorrow.
Heating centers will be opened in Santa Fe should natural gas service in Santa Fe be disrupted.
Note: I posted this over on DK4 - it initially began as a test diary but I've kept it updated as the situation becomes more serious. Since some people here might need to know about it, I decided to copy and paste it over here.
Updated to add Cities currently affected: Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Bernalillo, Espanola, Placitas, Questa, Red River, Silver City, Taos and Tularosa.
Also just announced that Kirkland Air Force Base has had the natural gas shut off and everyone will be leaving by 2pm.
2nd Update - If by any chance anyone in Espanola is reading this, the Animal Shelter is without heat and water and is desperately seeking electric heaters and people to foster animals for the next 24 hours. Info here
Also, state employees sent home today. Electric usage is also being affected. Governor now asking people to reduce use of electricity, turn thermostats down, and go to warming shelters if necessary. Explaining that using electric heaters (increasing electrical use) will affect the compressors (?) thus making it more difficult to get the natural gas. I didn't understand what she said. (Added - the gas compressors are out of service because of rolling electrical outages)
Update 4 (I goofed and in update 3 just changed text) - The city of Taos now has no gas, and has declared an emergency, and is opening shelters.
And moving up from comments: the Espanola Animal Shelter has no gas (heat) or water, and is asking for emergency donations of heaters (even to borrow) or for people that can foster animals for the next 48 hours.
Update 5:
Communities effected include:
* Taos
* Espanola
* Tularosa
* Alamogordo
* Silver City
* Questa
* parts of Rio Rancho
* parts of Bernalillo
* Placitas
* Kirtland Air Force Base
* parts of Otero County
* La Luz
Sandia National Lab sent workers home because of no gas.
Read more: ABQNews: UPDATED: Martinez Declares State of Emergency
Update 6: More information from Taos here
Residents buying up water and food expecting extended gas and possibly electrical outages.
Update 7: From NMGCO (New Mexico Gas Company) website, Natural gas service has been disrupted to Santa Clara Pueblo, Okway Owingeh Pueblo and portions of San Ildefonso Pueblo and Santa Ana Pueblo.
Also, once they have the necessary gas supplies to restore service, every single home or business will need to be re-lighted individually. That could take days.
Emergency updates and most current information at the NMGCO website here
NO word from the Gas Company or anyone else on whether they expect the shortages to expand. It's been several hours since there has been any new information.
Update 8 : Lots of links and information down in the comments below. All New Mexico government offices have been ordered closed on Friday. Most, if not all schools, colleges and universities are closed on Friday.
Service disruption and shelter information available at NMGCO