SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 30

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

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO CONVENE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE NEED FOR THE REGULATION OF WIND TURBINES ONE MEGAWATT OR GREATER IN SIZE.

     WHEREAS, wind energy is a clean renewable resource of significant abundance in the state of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, utility-scale wind-powered electric generation facilities are almost completely unregulated; and

     WHEREAS, the local environmental impact and health impacts of proposed utility-scale wind facilities should be taken into consideration in evaluating the siting and operation of new wind facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the siting of the current or planned industrial- scale wind facilities does not fall under public regulation commission review; and

     WHEREAS, the protection of public health through safety standards, including setback standards from homes and noise- limit standards that include hazardous low-frequency noise, should be considered; and

     WHEREAS, protection of the environment, including scenery, historic sites and wildlife corridors, as well as night skies, should be taken into account; and

     WHEREAS, a code of conduct for the wind power industry that guarantees procedural transparency to residents and provides for oversight of the industry should be considered;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public regulation commission be requested to form a multidisciplinary working group to evaluate the need for regulation of wind turbines one megawatt or greater in size in New Mexico, including the siting of wind facilities, taking into consideration the health, safety and general welfare of the public and cultural and environmental considerations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public regulation commission be requested to include in the working group representatives from the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the economic development department, the department of environment, the department of health, the state land office, the New Mexico association of counties, the New Mexico citizens alliance for responsible energy and sustainability and the wind power industry as well as experts, members of the public and members from the 2009 interim committees on science, technology and telecommunications, economic and rural development, water and natural resources and radioactive and hazardous materials; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to compile information on the net economic benefits of commercial wind facilities deployed in the state over the last ten years; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to hold at least three meetings chaired by a representative from the public regulation commission and make its recommendations to an appropriate interim committee of the legislature by December 1, 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public regulation commission, the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the economic development department, the department of environment, the department of health, the state land office, the New Mexico association of counties, the New Mexico citizens alliance for responsible energy and sustainability and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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