45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY MEANS TO FOSTER USE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES.

WHEREAS, the United States is strategically dependent on Saudi Arabia and other offshore oil producing countries; and

WHEREAS, the decreasing availability of oil and its long-term increase in cost threatens the security of the country; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's production of oil and gas is highly variable and dependent on world market prices; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has abundant sources of alternative energy supplies, such as solar radiation and wind; and

WHEREAS, for example, New Mexico has seven times the wind potential for electric generation than all of California, according to world wind watch;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate legislative interim committee to study alternative energy, including the energy consumption of residential, industrial and commercial users in New Mexico, the impacts on the state economy of energy production and energy price increases, the technical possibilities for developing alternative energy sources and energy policies of other states and to encourage development of alternative energy sources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate legislative interim committee report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by November 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the New Mexico legislative council.