HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 29

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADOPT CLEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION THAT HEIGHTENS NATIONAL ENERGY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY, PROMOTES INNOVATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS AND ADDRESSES THE CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

     WHEREAS, the United States congress currently has before it for consideration the American Clean Energy and Security Act, HR 2454, adopted by the house of representatives on June 26, 2009, and the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, S 1733, that promote clean energy development and use, reduce pollution, limit dependence on foreign energy sources and create economic opportunities that bring jobs; and

     WHEREAS, more than half of the oil and approximately fifteen percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States come from foreign sources; and

     WHEREAS, many states, including New Mexico, have adopted renewable energy standards and goals that require a significant percentage of a state's electricity to be generated from non-fossil-fuel renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower and biomass, which sources have led to significant job growth in the clean energy sector of the state and national economy; and

     WHEREAS, the generation of electricity through the use of renewable energy presents opportunities to promote energy self-sufficiency, create jobs and economic benefits and preserve natural resources; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, New Mexico adopted the Renewable Energy Financing District Act, which recognizes the public benefit of renewable energy by authorizing local governments to provide an innovative financing mechanism to property owners to facilitate the development and installation of renewable energy improvements on their property. That development and installation advances the security, economic well-being and public and environmental health of the state; and contributes to the energy independence of the nation; and

     WHEREAS, a 2009 study by the Pew charitable trusts reveals that the growth of clean energy economy jobs in New Mexico is greater than for other parts of its economy and that a significant portion of the state's venture capital in the past ten years has been in the clean energy field; and

     WHEREAS, the United States now spends approximately one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) a day to import oil. Through 2030, the energy information administration of the United States department of energy estimates that the country's reliance on foreign oil could cost eight and one-half trillion dollars ($8,500,000,000,000), even without accounting for inflation; and

     WHEREAS, the economic consequences of this country's dependence on foreign oil are evident; American wealth is being transferred to nations that are rich with oil, and those nations are not always politically stable or friendly to the United States. The United States is trading its capital, a resource that can grow and multiply, for a volatile and finite commodity from foreign sources; and

     WHEREAS, United States Senator Pete V. Domenici reported to the energy information administration in 2008 that dependence on oil imports may deprive the nation of more than two million jobs per year; and

     WHEREAS, high oil prices reduce the purchasing power of American consumers, spur inflation and boost the prices of basic goods and services; and

     WHEREAS, as reported by the national conference of state legislatures, our nation's military leaders recognize that the effects of climate change include the likelihood of increases in political and social instability in poorer regions of the world, thus presenting potential security challenges for the United States; and

     WHEREAS, there is worldwide competition for clean energy development; therefore, comprehensive federal clean energy jobs and climate legislation can position the United States' clean energy economic development efforts to be competitive internationally and to deter outsourcing of that economic opportunity to foreign interests; and

     WHEREAS, while states, including New Mexico, have shown leadership in moving to a clean energy economy, the result is that American industry and business face a patchwork of state clean energy requirements, emissions standards, regulations and incentives. A national framework for clean energy would eliminate this varied and inconsistent approach by providing a predictable regulatory scheme that spurs innovation and discovery in the clean energy sector;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress be requested to enact the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act or similar legislation that achieves the purposes of those acts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and to the chief clerks of the United States house of representatives and the United States senate, for distribution to the appropriate committees.

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