SENATE MEMORIAL 12

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Stephen H. Fischmann

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO FUND THE ELECTRIC POWER ENERGY FLOW MODEL DEVELOPED BY LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY AND REQUESTING LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY TO ASSIST THE NEW MEXICO STATE LEGISLATURE IN ITS ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALTERNATIVE POLICY ACTIONS.

     WHEREAS, volatile energy prices have demonstrated the dangers of over-reliance on fossil fuels; and

     WHEREAS, rapidly escalating energy costs contributed directly and significantly to the recent recession and economic downturn worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, the preponderance of research indicates carbon-based energy economies contribute to a variety of environmental problems, including mercury pollution, air pollution, global warming and ocean acidification; and

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory has developed a model of the national electric power generation and distribution system, and this model may be manipulated based on input variables that reflect alternative policy decisions, thus offering an opportunity to gauge the effects of these alternative policies before their enactment;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that congress and the department of energy be requested to fully fund further refinement of the Los Alamos energy model and support the New Mexico state legislature in its analysis of alternative policy scenarios; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and to the secretary of energy.

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