A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THAT STATE GOVERNMENT DEVELOP AND ADOPT SPECIFIC
GOALS TO IMPLEMENT THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
ALTERNATIVE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES THROUGHOUT STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE.
WHEREAS, while New Mexico
currently enjoys abundant oil, coal and natural gas resources that greatly
contribute to the state's economy and to the state government's revenue, these
energy sources are finite and ultimately may be exhausted; and
WHEREAS, the United States is
heavily dependent on foreign sources of oil, which renders the country
extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in international production; and
WHEREAS, renewable energy
sources, defined as energy derived from wind, solar, biomass or geothermal
resources; energy efficiency; and alternative fuel technologies provide the
state with opportunities for a sustainable energy future, reduced air emissions
and water demands, greatly reduced risk of catastrophic fires in state forests
and environmentally sensitive economic development; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks
twelfth in the nation in wind energy potential and second in the nation in
solar energy potential, has geothermal resources available in twenty of its
thirty-three counties and has abundant biomass resources in its forests; and
WHEREAS, Los Alamos national
laboratory, Sandia national laboratories and New Mexico's research universities
are engaged in substantive research, development and demonstrations of
renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel technologies with significant
application and commercialization potential in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, energy efficiency
constitutes the least expensive alternative to new energy production, and the
Public Facility Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Act offers the state
the opportunity to dramatically reduce electric and gas utility costs through
energy efficient retrofits; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico's
congressional delegation, the senators of which serve on the United States
senate committee on energy and natural resources, has a unique opportunity to
promote innovative energy programs and policies in federal energy legislation
to benefit New Mexico and the nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the executive branch of
state government be encouraged to pursue energy policies and goals to implement
the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel
technologies throughout state government and the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at
least ten percent of
New Mexico's electrical energy demands be generated from
renewable sources by the year 2010; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
public regulation commission be requested to promote and encourage consumers to
generate their own electricity from renewable sources and to sell that power
back to their utility companies through net metering; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
state government, including state universities and public schools, be requested
to take all reasonable actions to "lead by example" with respect to
incorporating renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel
technologies and practices into all aspects of its capital projects,
procurement and operations, including utilizing performance contracting
pursuant to the Public Facility Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Act to
effect energy efficiency conversions in state buildings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, in cooperation with other
relevant state agencies, be requested to pursue all feasible measures to
encourage the use of alternative-fueled and
gas-electric hybrid vehicles throughout the state, including
the development of a statewide alternative fuel filling station infrastructure;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
secretary of economic development be directed to evaluate the feasibility of
establishing a "renewable energy economic development cluster" to
complement in-state renewable energy production and to encourage the development
of a renewable energy manufacturing industry to foster job and wealth creation
in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the New Mexico
congressional delegation, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural
resources, the secretary of economic development and the public regulation
commission.