SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 41

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

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A LOW-INCOME ENERGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, the rising costs of energy are a major contributor to the severe economic hardship experienced by New Mexico's low-income families; and

     WHEREAS, the over sixty thousand annual participants in the low income home energy assistance program receive help with heating and cooling costs but little to no energy efficiency assistance; and

     WHEREAS, according to the Lutheran advocacy ministry, close to eighteen percent of all New Mexicans live in poverty, which is defined as seventeen thousand six hundred dollars ($17,600) or less per year for a family of three; and

     WHEREAS, over thirty-one percent of New Mexico's households are very low- and extremely low-income households; and

     WHEREAS, most low-income homes are not energy efficient and need some form of substantive energy efficiency improvements in order to keep monthly energy costs manageable; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico mortgage finance authority's energy smart program provides assistance to low-income homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes; and

     WHEREAS, the energy smart program is very effective at reducing low-income families' home energy usage, thereby reducing monthly energy utility bills; and

     WHEREAS, the Efficient Use of Energy Act contains a specific finding that energy efficiency programs, in conjunction with weatherization programs targeted to economically disadvantaged families, will help reduce the burden of utility costs on low-income customers; and

     WHEREAS, there is currently no single entity coordinating all of the various low-income energy assistance efforts occurring in the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to establish and administer a low-income energy advisory committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee assist in developing guidelines for the coordination and implementation of all low-income energy assistance and efficiency efforts in the state; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee consist of representatives from utility companies, rural electric cooperatives, nonprofit organizations with an interest in energy efficiency, community advocates of the environment and clean energy, the New Mexico mortgage finance authority, the human services department, the public regulation commission and other appropriate members as determined by the energy, minerals and natural resources department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee act in an advisory capacity in making recommendations to the governor, the public regulation commission and the legislature on low-income energy assistance funding needs and program implementation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources and the chair of the committee report to the appropriate interim legislative committee and the public regulation commission by November 1, 2009 and each year thereafter; and

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