SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

David Ulibarri

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSMISSION AUTHORITY AND THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH THE WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE AND OTHER NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTALLATIONS WHEN DEVELOPING RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS AND CORRIDORS FOR TRANSMISSION LINES IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority Act created the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority; and

     WHEREAS, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources is an ex-officio member of the board of the authority, and the energy, minerals and natural resources department and the authority work closely to meet the energy needs of the state; and

     WHEREAS, the authority is charged with doing whatever is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority Act; and

     WHEREAS, in accomplishing its duties, the authority may identify and establish corridors for the transmission of electricity within the state; and

     WHEREAS, through participation in appropriate regional transmission forums, the authority may also coordinate, investigate, plan, prioritize and negotiate with entities within and outside of the state for the establishment of interstate transmission corridors; and

     WHEREAS, one such corridor under consideration by the authority may intersect or approximate the border of the United States army garrison, White Sands missile range; and

     WHEREAS, White Sands missile range is the largest overland military test range in the area, occupying a two-million-acre area of southern New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, White Sands missile range houses state-of-the-art research and test facilities for the United States army, the United States air force and the national aeronautics and space administration; and

     WHEREAS, some of the world's most advanced and sophisticated weapons systems are tested at White Sands missile range; and

     WHEREAS, the presence of lines for the transmission of electricity and other renewable energy initiatives under consideration within New Mexico, such as wind turbines and solar array capabilities, have the potential to interfere with the missions and training exercises performed at White Sands missile range; and

     WHEREAS, White Sands missile range is fully committed to renewable energy and is engaged in a formal initiative known as the New Mexico initiative, in partnership with the public service company of New Mexico and other partners, to ensure energy efficiency, use of renewable energy and implementation of water conservation programs; and

     WHEREAS, it is important to find a balance between promoting energy projects for energy independence and ensuring the continuation of military missions and training exercises that are vital to the state economy and to national security;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority and the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to collaborate with the White Sands missile range and other military installations when developing renewable energy programs and corridors for transmission lines in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of this collaboration be presented to the interim military and veterans' affairs committee and the New Mexico finance authority oversight committee by October 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the board of the New Mexico renewable energy transmission authority and the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources.

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