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HOUSE MEMORIAL 64

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THAT NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE AN ENERGY CONSERVATION

LEADER IN SAVING HUMANS, WILDLIFE AND PLANTS FROM HARMFUL

CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS AND REQUESTING A "GET A BRIGHT IDEA"

CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

WHEREAS, a majority of scientists agree that global

temperatures are increasing, that human activities are

contributing to this climate change and that further warming is

inevitable unless immediate and sweeping actions are taken to

promote energy conservation; and

WHEREAS, global warming creates extreme weather cycles of

drought and floods, which are harmful to humans and to New

Mexico's ecosystems, including its migrating birds and

coldwater fish; and

WHEREAS, rising temperatures throughout the southwest will

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lead to increased risks of drought, earlier snowpack melts,

decreased drinking water supplies and intense fire seasons; and

WHEREAS, increased wildfires and floods are harmful and

costly to New Mexico and affect wildlife in harmful ways,

including habitat loss and diminished food supplies; and

WHEREAS, one-fourth of the world's plant and vertebrate

animal species may face extinction by 2050 due to the effects

of global warming; and

WHEREAS, human activities and energy consumption

contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases such

as carbon dioxide and methane; and

WHEREAS, the use of fossil fuels for energy consumption

contributes to the release of greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, the effects of climate change can be slowed by

reducing the release of greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, the release of greenhouse gases can be reduced by

energy conservation and the use of solar, wind and other

alternative sources of energy; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico should be a leader in energy

conservation and take steps to reduce global warming; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico state government aims to be energy

efficient and to support sustainable energy production, energy

conservation and public transportation; and

WHEREAS, if all American families replaced just one of

their incandescent light bulbs with a compact fluorescent light

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bulb, this would save enough energy to power a city for over a

year; and

WHEREAS, if state offices, schools and public institutions

use compact fluorescent light bulbs and ENERGY STAR-certified

appliances and products, this will help energy conservation;

and

WHEREAS, New Mexicans should be encouraged to conserve

resources and recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and

aluminum to help reduce waste; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico state government can encourage

consumer education on climate change issues and how they affect

New Mexico and its wildlife and environment through a "climate

change awareness day"; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico can help slow the effects of global

warming by planting more trees adaptable to New Mexico and by

creating wetlands that absorb carbon dioxide; and

WHEREAS, student groups, such as wild friends, are taking

action to reduce global warming through the use of compact

fluorescent light bulbs, recycling and programs that teach

energy conservation; and

WHEREAS, wild friends students at Rio Gallinas school are

participating in designing a classroom greenhouse that teaches

self-sustainability through the use of alternative energy,

water catchments and organic gardening; and

WHEREAS, schools that join the energy schools teaching

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about resource savings program and students who design creative

solutions for energy conservation should be publicly

recognized; and

WHEREAS, children in the future should be safe from

harmful effects of climate change and should have an

opportunity to see and learn about wildlife and nature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state be a

leader in reducing greenhouse gases through energy conservation

and the use of alternative energy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and

natural resources department be requested to issue pamphlets

and conduct the "get a bright idea" consumer awareness campaign

to educate the public about energy-saving compact fluorescent

light bulbs and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and products;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to

declare a "climate change awareness day" to help educate

residents about how climate change issues will affect New

Mexicans and their wildlife and the environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to

take steps to use natural lighting, replace light bulbs in

existing buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs and use

automatic timers on lights and heating and cooling systems to

conserve energy; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state recommend that all

New Mexico schools recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum

and glass and participate in the programs knows as "energy

schools teaching about resource savings"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to

use energy-efficient vehicles for fuel conservation and to

encourage employees to carpool or use public transportation;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislature

consider adopting an income tax credit for consumers who buy

ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, products and central heating

and cooling systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to

support sustainable energy production through research, grants

and tax credits to corporations and residents that produce,

sell or use clean energy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the office of the governor, the construction

industries division of the regulation and licensing department,

the department of environment, the department of

transportation, the energy, minerals and natural resources

department, the public education department, the higher

education department, the taxation and revenue department and

the members of the New Mexico legislative council.

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