SENATE MEMORIAL 11

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Pat Woods

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 1, 2018 "NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's rural distribution, generation and transmission cooperatives provide electric power to eighty percent of the land area of New Mexico and to twenty-two percent of New Mexicans, while more than forty-two million people across the country are members of one thousand electric cooperatives in forty-seven states; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives employ more than nine hundred New Mexicans and provide over sixty-two million dollars ($62,000,000) in annual payroll, which contributes greatly to the economy of rural New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives have invested over one billion three hundred million dollars ($1,300,000,000) in electric plants and more than forty-six thousand miles of distribution lines, serving an average of four and six-tenths customers per mile; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives have provided over eleven million dollars ($11,000,000) in higher educational scholarships to more than eight thousand New Mexico students over the past twenty years; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are active, engaged and leaders in their communities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives participate in the national government-in-action youth tour by sending students from New Mexico to Washington, D.C., to see how government works and learn about the importance of electric cooperatives; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are leaders in renewable energy, projecting to meet their renewable portfolio standard requirement levels of five percent by 2020, while providing more than twenty-five percent of their energy from solar, wind and hydroelectric power; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are utilizing new technologies that help to ensure affordable and reliable electricity, including broadband service to underserved areas in their service territories, thereby helping to connect rural New Mexico and stimulate economic development;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 1, 2018 be declared "New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that rural electric cooperatives be acknowledged for their immeasurable contributions, economic impact and commitment to rural electrification in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the executive vice president and general manager of the New Mexico rural electric cooperative association.

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