HOUSE MEMORIAL 96

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO STUDY WHETHER RENEWABLE ENERGY PAYMENTS SHOULD BE ADOPTED.

     WHEREAS, in order to promote the development of renewable energy, the state of New Mexico has enacted the Renewable Energy Act establishing renewable energy portfolio standards that require public utilities to provide growing percentages of renewable energy as part of their power supply portfolios; and

     WHEREAS, the public regulation commission has promulgated a net metering rule to promote the state's public policy goal of promoting the development of renewable energy resources; and

     WHEREAS, other states are beginning to look at using renewable energy payments as an alternative to renewable energy portfolio standards; and

     WHEREAS, successful experience with renewable energy payments in other countries around the world suggests that they should be considered as a means of promoting renewable energy development; and

     WHEREAS, before renewable energy payments are adopted in New Mexico, they should be studied to determine if they are appropriate for use in New Mexico, considering the effects they may have on system reliability and customer rates and other potential consequences, if they are a better alternative to existing methodologies, what conflicts may exist with current law and, if appropriate, how to design the renewable energy payments to assure optimal effectiveness with the least adverse consequences;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate committee to study whether or not renewable energy payments should be adopted in New Mexico and, if so, how they should be designed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate committee request the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of environment and the public regulation commission to analyze the issues regarding whether or not renewable energy payments should be adopted in New Mexico and, if so, how they should be designed and to report their analyses to the committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the secretary of enviroment and the public regulation commission.

- 3 -