HOUSE MEMORIAL 63

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Tara L. Lujan and Joanne J. Ferrary and Cathrynn N. Brown

and Mark B. Murphy

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A NUCLEAR ENERGY COMMISSION AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

 

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico, the United States and the international community are experiencing rapidly accelerating energy demands; and

     WHEREAS, the United States energy information administration projects that energy consumption will increase by approximately twenty thousand terawatt-hours each decade between 2030 and 2050, totaling approximately seventy-nine thousand terawatt-hours' increase in consumption by 2050; and

     WHEREAS, this increase in energy consumption will have implications on the climate of planet Earth and will require bold and creative policies to ensure potential negative climate effects are mitigated while meeting the energy needs of the people of planet Earth; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is in a position to lead the nation and even the international community in modeling bold and creative policies to address concerns regarding the climate and to ensure the production of efficient and affordable renewable energy; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a leader in energy production in the United States, being the second-largest crude oil producer and among the top ten natural gas producers; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is currently undergoing a significant transition toward producing renewable energy and has a growing renewable energy sector; and

     WHEREAS, now is the time for New Mexico to invest in its growing renewable energy sector and take bold actions to provide for the energy needs of New Mexicans well into the future and create a blueprint for the nation to follow;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it recognize growing energy needs and the implications of increased energy consumption, including the potential negative effects on the environment and climate of planet Earth; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to study the feasibility of creating a nuclear energy commission that would support and oversee the development of a nuclear energy industry in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department also be requested to study:

          A. the feasibility of repurposing the sites of decommissioned coal plants and nuclear power plants;

          B. the safety profiles of different reactor systems, including molten salt small modular reactor systems;

          C. policies requiring the use of carbon capture sequestration systems at fossil fuel extraction sites;

          D. potential practical industrial uses of carbon dioxide, such as in the production of cement and road-building materials; and

          E. policies that would allow counties and municipalities to develop federated microgrids to enhance energy efficiency and resilience; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources.

- 3 -