HOUSE MEMORIAL 14

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Harry Garcia and Christine Trujillo and Eliseo Lee Alcon and Rodolopho “Rudy” S. Martinez

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING JANUARY 31, 2019 "NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's eighteen 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 deliver and sustain quality-of-life energy and are leaders in energy conservation programs, including electric vehicle charging efforts; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are leaders in renewable energy, already exceeding the 2020 renewable portfolio standard requirement levels by ten percent, while providing more than thirty percent of their energy from solar, wind and hydroelectric power; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives employ more than eight hundred fifty New Mexicans and provide over sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) in annual payroll, and are a cornerstone of 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 five-tenths customers per mile; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives have provided over twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) in higher educational scholarships to more than eight thousand nine hundred New Mexico students over the past thirty years; and

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

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives provide educational scholarships and 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 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 31, 2019 be declared "New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Day" in the house of representatives; 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 chief executive officer and president of the New Mexico rural electric cooperative association.

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