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SPONSOR: |
M. Sanchez |
DATE TYPED: |
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HB |
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SHORT TITLE: |
Study Renewable Energy Resources |
SB |
SJM 51 |
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ANALYST: |
Maloy |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
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NFI |
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Minimal See Narrative |
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Responses
Received From
Energy,
Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Public
Regulation Commission
SUMMARY
Senate Joint Memorial 51 directs an appropriate interim committee to study and evaluate the most appropriate means for government to encourage and support the development and use of renewable energy resources, and to report to the legislature by January 2005.
SJM 51 also urges the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to suspend its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) rule pending the outcome of the committee’s findings. The RPS rule directs investor-owned utilities to generate or procure renewable energy to meet at least 10% of their electrical demands by 2011.
Significant Issues
· The PRC’s Renewable Energy rulemaking covered a 2-year time. It involved a diverse array of individuals and businesses, including electric utility companies, rural electric cooperatives, renewable energy developers and advocates, representatives of federal, state, local and tribal government, and public/consumer interest groups.
Collectively, these entities expended significant time and financial resources developing comments and recommendations, as well as participating in public hearings, workshops and other forums held throughout the PRC rulemaking process, to create an effective, workable rule.
According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, this memorial would essentially dismiss this inclusive, deliberative rulemaking process on how best to promote renewable energy in favor of studying the issue for another two years.
·
It is
not clear whether other provisions of the adopted “Renewable Energy as a Source
of Electricity” rule, 17.9.573, would be suspended. At this time, the Energy, Minerals and
Natural Resources Department assumed that only the Renewable Portfolio Standard
rule, 17.9.573.10A, would be suspended.
If the intent is to suspend the entire Renewable Energy rule, then the
Department believes there would be more significant issues meriting consideration.
·
The RPS represents an important provision to
create a demand for renewable energy in
Given the focus on promoting renewable energy in
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The Legislative Council Services will expend FTE
time and budget resources for the purposes of staffing this interim committee,
as will the PRC and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department in
providing expertise.
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
Department recommends the following amendments:
1)
On page 3, line 6, after “rule” insert “,
17.9.573A,”.
2)
On page 3, lines 2 and 3, after the first “the”, strike “first session
of the forty-seventh legislature” and insert “second session of the forty-sixth
legislature”.
SJM/njw