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.165355.1

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 10

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

David Ulibarri

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY AND THE VALUABLE

URANIUM RESOURCES IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, a nuclear renaissance of worldwide scope has

emerged, creating an unprecedented gap between the

substantially increasing domestic and international demand and

the current level of natural uranium production and supply; and

WHEREAS, the need for electricity to fuel the nation's

economy continues to increase; it is projected that the United

States will demand fifty percent more electricity by 2025 and

increased reliance on alternative energy sources, including

nuclear power, is necessary to meet electricity demand; and

WHEREAS, the acceptance of nuclear-powered energy in the

United States and worldwide has increased as citizens,

including leading environmental activists, recognize nuclear

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.165355.1

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energy as the most large-scale, cost-effective energy source

that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to

satisfy a growing demand for electric power; and

WHEREAS, domestic nuclear utilities require a secure

source of domestic, natural uranium in order to have the

confidence to construct new reactors that will promote the

nation's energy independence and meet electric power demands;

and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's uranium resources are a tremendous

asset for the state, as New Mexico is known to have more

uranium resources than any other state in the nation, estimated

at six hundred million pounds and worth approximately forty-

three billion dollars ($43,000,000,000) at current market

prices and, therefore, represent significant severance and

other direct and indirect revenue streams and other benefits

for the state of New Mexico and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, jobs associated with the uranium industry offer

highly competitive wages and benefits packages, and uranium

mining will bring much-needed economic development to Cibola

and McKinley counties by infusing large levels of new capital

investment; and

WHEREAS, the city of Grants is proud to be known as the

"uranium capital of the world," and the Grants, Milan and

Cibola county communities have gone on record in support of the

rebirth of the uranium industry in New Mexico; and

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WHEREAS, the New Mexico uranium mining industry is

committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment for its

workers and the public at large, and improved extraction and

processing technologies and updated regulatory requirements

have been developed and are being employed to ensure that new

uranium production can be conducted in a manner protective of

human health and the environment;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of environment and the

energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested

to collaborate with the New Mexico uranium industry to resolve

existing barriers in order to advance consideration of uranium

production in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to Governor Richardson, the secretary of

environment and the secretary of energy, minerals and natural

resources.

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