45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

REQUESTING COOPERATION AMONG NEW MEXICO CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND TO FURTHER THE INCREASED DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF NEW MEXICO'S ABUNDANT CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCES, INCLUDING SOLAR, WIND, NATURAL GAS, GEOTHERMAL AND BIOMASS, TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF NEW MEXICANS, TO INCREASE THEIR ENERGY SECURITY AND THAT OF THE NATION AND TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.

WHEREAS, New Mexico is experiencing the adverse economic effects of tight conventional energy supplies, inadequate electricity generation capacity and energy transportation and transmission constraints in the west; and

WHEREAS, these adverse economic effects in the form of higher energy prices hurt our quality of life and disproportionately impact low-income and elderly New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, the harmful repercussions of higher energy prices can be greatly minimized or eliminated through diligent and persistent efforts to conserve energy wherever feasible and appropriate; and

WHEREAS, energy prices paid by New Mexico citizens, businesses and government can be stabilized or lowered through energy conservation measures and by increasing the development and use of New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources, including solar, wind, natural gas, geothermal and biomass; and

WHEREAS, research, development and deployment of new technologies have significantly improved the economic competitiveness of systems that can produce electrical or thermal energy from New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources; and

WHEREAS, the increased development and use of New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources will result in both economic and environmental benefits to New Mexico and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Governor Gary E. Johnson and the governors of at least ten other western states have recognized the economic and environmental benefits that will result from increased development and use of the west's abundant clean energy resources by supporting the extension and expansion of state and federal renewable energy production tax credits, as well as state and tribal government policies, such as system benefits charges, portfolio standards and creative new incentives, as specified during a western governors' association energy policy roundtable on February 2, 2001; and

WHEREAS, participants in the town hall on New Mexico's energy future, held June 1-4, 2000 and sponsored by New Mexico first, a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy organization created by Senators Pete V. Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, also recognized the economic and environmental benefits that will result from increased development and use of New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources by making a consensus recommendation that the state should aggressively pursue renewable and alternative energy projects through grants and other incentives;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it request cooperation among New Mexico citizens, businesses and government agencies to conserve energy and to further the increased development and use of New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources, including solar, wind, natural gas, geothermal and biomass, to enhance the economic well-being of New Mexicans, to increase their energy security and that of the nation and to protect our environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico citizens, businesses and government agencies seriously consider implementing one or more of the following energy conservation measures:

A. lower water-heating temperature settings and use less hot water, e.g., shower versus bath;

B. lower space-heating temperature settings in winter; raise cooling settings in summer;

C. use less artificial lighting, i.e., more natural light, and shift to compact fluorescent bulbs;

D. turn off lights and other electric devices when not in use;

E. shift use of appliances and other large energy-consuming equipment to off-peak hours;

F. clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters;

G. find and seal air leaks, i.e., weatherstrip doors and windows;

H. check and add insulation as necessary to walls, ceilings, attic, floors and crawl spaces;

I. use fireplaces sparingly; keep fireplace dampers closed when a fire is not going;

J. insulate water heaters and connecting pipes;

K. open shades and drapes on south-facing windows during day; close all at night;

L. cover evaporative coolers and air conditioners in winter to reduce loss of heat;

M. install automatic timers or occupancy sensors for furnaces, water heaters and lights;

N. purchase EnergyStar appliances, including computers, when replacing electronic equipment;

O. activate the automatic shut-down mode in computers and printers;

P. seek help from programs offering utility budget billing and bill payment assistance;

Q. use energy performance contracting to improve the energy efficiency of buildings;

R. designate an office "energy manager" to monitor energy use and reduce consumption;

S. reduce or eliminate the use of electric space heaters;

T. shift custodial services to normal business hours; or instruct custodians to turn off lights; and

U. adopt telecommuting and flexible schedule policies, e.g., four ten-hour days; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that policymakers and decision- makers at all levels of government within the state collaborate in identifying and adopting those policies, programs, rules and incentives that will best stimulate the increased development and use of New Mexico's abundant clean energy resources to the benefit of all New Mexicans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be provided to members of the New Mexico congressional delegation, the secretary of the United States department of energy, Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories, New Mexico state agencies, the public regulation commission, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla and Mescalero Apache Tribes and the All-Indian pueblos council.