SENATE MEMORIAL 16

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO STUDY POSSIBLE REGULATION OF THE PROPANE GAS INDUSTRY BY THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION.

     WHEREAS, rising fuel costs across the country are of increasing concern to the public, especially low-income persons in rural areas of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, many low-income persons in the rural areas depend on propane gas as an energy source to heat their homes in the winter; and

     WHEREAS, it is necessary that those New Mexicans who are most vulnerable to excessive or unjustified increases in the price of fuel be protected from persons who may take unfair advantage of them; and

     WHEREAS, the propane gas industry and the rates charged for propane gas services are not currently regulated by the public regulation commission; and

     WHEREAS, including the propane gas industry under the Public Utility Act would provide the public regulation commission with authority over entities manufacturing, storing, selling, or distributing propane gas in enclosed containers or tank trucks for use by consumers, except consumers who receive their supply through any pipeline system operating under municipal authority; and

     WHEREAS, oversight of the propane gas industry by the public regulation commission would ensure that New Mexicans, particularly low-income New Mexicans, are paying fair prices for propane gas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim legislative committee to study possible regulation of the propane gas industry by the public regulation commission; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate interim legislative committee be directed to hold a hearing on the issue by November 1, 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council and the chair of the public regulation commission.