SENATE MEMORIAL 98

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Peter Wirth

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND SOLAR ENERGY PROPONENTS TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL ENERGY AND COST SAVINGS, FEASIBILITY AND FINANCIAL OPTIONS FOR EXPANDING THE USE OF SOLAR POWER ON STATE FACILITIES.

     WHEREAS, state government owns more than seven hundred fifty buildings throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, the facilities management division of the general services department is responsible for the management of those buildings; and

     WHEREAS, the facilities management division also leases two million seven hundred thousand square feet of privately owned space for state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, responsible management of the state government's facilities should include exploration of increased renewable energy use and methods to reduce energy consumption in state facilities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a temperate climate and boasts world-class solar energy, ranking second in the nation after Arizona, with the potential to provide significantly more energy than the state's current demand; and

     WHEREAS, the Toney Anaya building and the Wendell Chino building in Santa Fe are examples of solar installations on state government buildings that reduce energy costs; and

     WHEREAS, the state has a vital interest in the efficiencies and cost savings that renewable energy can provide; and

     WHEREAS, the solar power industry has many different opportunities to finance solar energy systems that can assist the state in reducing its long-term energy consumption;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the general services department, the energy, minerals and natural resources department, representatives from the renewable energy sector and other relevant parties be requested to evaluate the potential energy and cost savings, feasibility and financial options for expanding the use of solar power on state facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general services department be requested to consider the issuance of a request for proposals that asks for analysis and implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on state facilities that are cash flow positive and do not require up-front capital investment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general services department and the energy, minerals and natural resources department report their findings and recommendations to the capitol buildings planning commission and the legislative finance committee by November 1, 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of general services, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the co-chairs of the capitol buildings planning commission, the chair of the legislative finance committee and representatives of the renewable energy sector.

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