SENATE MEMORIAL 30

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

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE HOW AND WHY NEW MEXICO CONSUMERS LOST NATURAL GAS SERVICE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO PREVENT SUCH LOSS OF SERVICE IN THE FUTURE.

     WHEREAS, nearly thirty thousand residents of the state lost access to natural gas service in early February of 2011; and

     WHEREAS, this loss of service endangered lives during a period of record low temperatures in New Mexico and has resulted in millions of dollars worth of damage due to burst water pipes and loss of business; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico gas company was unable to import enough natural gas to meet demand due to the shutdown of several compressors on the transmission lines in Texas; and

     WHEREAS, the public regulation commission is granted sole and exclusive power to regulate public utilities and natural gas transmission lines in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the commission is authorized to regulate the transportation of natural gas as may be necessary to safeguard deliverability and operational efficiency and to prevent undue hardship and anticompetitive conduct by a public utility; and

     WHEREAS, the residents of New Mexico have suffered undue hardship;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public regulation commission be requested to convene a task force to investigate how and why New Mexico consumers lost natural gas service in early February of 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force make recommendations on how to prevent such loss of service in the future and determine whether state or federal legislation is needed to carry out its recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report to the governor and the appropriate legislative interim committee by August 1, 2011; and

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

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