46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THAT STATE GOVERNMENT DEVELOP AND ADOPT SPECIFIC GOALS TO IMPLEMENT THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES THROUGHOUT STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE.

WHEREAS, while New Mexico currently enjoys abundant oil, coal and natural gas resources that greatly contribute to the state's economy and to the state government's revenue, these energy sources are finite and ultimately may be exhausted; and

WHEREAS, the United States is heavily dependent on foreign sources of oil, which renders the country extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in international production; and

WHEREAS, renewable energy sources, defined as energy derived from wind, solar, biomass or geothermal resources; energy efficiency; and alternative fuel technologies provide the state with opportunities for a sustainable energy future, reduced air emissions and water demands, greatly reduced risk of catastrophic fires in state forests and environmentally sensitive economic development; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks twelfth in the nation in wind energy potential and second in the nation in solar energy potential, has geothermal resources available in twenty of its thirty-three counties and has abundant biomass resources in its forests; and

WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory, Sandia national laboratories and New Mexico's research universities are engaged in substantive research, development and demonstrations of renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel technologies with significant application and commercialization potential in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, energy efficiency constitutes the least expensive alternative to new energy production, and the Public Facility Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Act offers the state the opportunity to dramatically reduce electric and gas utility costs through energy efficient retrofits; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's congressional delegation, the senators of which serve on the United States senate committee on energy and natural resources, has a unique opportunity to promote innovative energy programs and policies in federal energy legislation to benefit New Mexico and the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the executive branch of state government be encouraged to pursue energy policies and goals to implement the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel technologies throughout state government and the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at least ten percent of New Mexico's electrical energy demands be generated from renewable sources by the year 2010; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public regulation commission be requested to promote and encourage consumers to generate their own electricity from renewable sources and to sell that power back to their utility companies through net metering; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state government, including state universities and public schools, be requested to take all reasonable actions to "lead by example" with respect to incorporating renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel technologies and practices into all aspects of its capital projects, procurement and operations, including utilizing performance contracting pursuant to the Public Facility Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Act to effect energy efficiency conversions in state buildings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, in cooperation with other relevant state agencies, be requested to pursue all feasible measures to encourage the use of alternative-fueled and gas-electric hybrid vehicles throughout the state, including the development of a statewide alternative fuel filling station infrastructure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of economic development be directed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a "renewable energy economic development cluster" to complement in-state renewable energy production and to encourage the development of a renewable energy manufacturing industry to foster job and wealth creation in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the New Mexico congressional delegation, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the secretary of economic development and the public regulation commission.