SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 2

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy M. Keller

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A BROAD INVENTORY OF EXISTING STATE ENERGY POLICIES AND COMMITMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE ADMINISTERED OR ESTABLISHED BY THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, THE NEW MEXICO RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSMISSION AUTHORITY, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION AND CURRENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico state government administers many existing laws and regulations regarding energy production; and

     WHEREAS, the state government also administers many incentives intended to stimulate new renewable energy production; and

     WHEREAS, the state government also administers a range of programs intended to encourage or subsidize energy conservation or efficiency; and

     WHEREAS, the state has adopted renewable portfolio standards and other future targets for energy savings; and

     WHEREAS, there is currently no single compilation of all these obligations and policies; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico first 2009 statewide town hall called for the creation of a long-term comprehensive energy plan for the state; and

      WHEREAS, any future comprehensive energy planning and policymaking will require an understanding of existing policies and commitments;

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:

          A. convene a working group of representatives of energy-related state offices, including the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of environment, the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority, the office of the state engineer, the economic development department, the public regulation commission and the office of the governor, as well as representatives of the private and nonprofit sectors;

          B. organize the working group to compile an inventory of major existing energy policies, targets, commitments and existing strategic plans;

          C. develop recommendations for a structure or process for the potential development of a comprehensive energy plan, with the recommendations drawing on any successful planning practices utilized in other states; and

          D. present the inventory to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature and make it digitally available to the public on the department web site by October 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to integrate this effort into the responsibilities of other existing task forces, working groups or agency activities already underway addressing related efforts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of environment, the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority, the office of the state engineer, the economic development department, the public regulation commission, the commissioner of public lands, the office of the governor, the state's rural electric cooperatives and the utility companies providing service in New Mexico.

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