A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ECONOMIC AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT HEARINGS PERTAINING TO THE USE OF WOOD PELLETS AS A HEAT SOURCE IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, providing heat to New Mexicans with renewable and sustainable fuel is an important goal; and

WHEREAS, densified wood pellets and other biomass products are a clean source of heat for industrial, commercial and residential facilities; and

WHEREAS, the densified wood pellet heating industry could promote economic growth in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to thin New Mexico forests to protect them from wildfires; and

WHEREAS, a partnership between federal, state and local governments and businesses to thin forests could create jobs, provide New Mexicans with an alternative fuel source and provide necessary material for New Mexico leadership in the biomass and densified wood pellet industry; and

WHEREAS, the partnership would promote energy independence for New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the economic and rural development and telecommunications committee conduct hearings during the 2003 interim period that pertain to methods of using wood pellets as a heat source in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hearings include discussions that focus on the use of waste wood from forest thinning projects as source material for biomass and densified wood pellets; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hearings include discussions on the long-term economic impact that a thriving densified wood pellet heating industry could have on New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the economic and rural development and telecommunications committee.