SENATE MEMORIAL 122

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OR STATE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN DEVELOPING COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECTS AND FACILITATE ACCEPTANCE BY UTILITIES AND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF THE ENERGY GENERATED.

     WHEREAS, suggestions have been made to amend the Renewable Energy Act to require utilities and electric cooperatives to participate in community solar projects planned by local governments, political subdivisions or state post-secondary educational institutions and accept the solar energy generated by those projects; and

     WHEREAS, increased community solar options may expand access to and the benefits of community solar power for the purposes set forth in the Renewable Energy Act; and

     WHEREAS, solar facilities should be encouraged for new and existing buildings and structures throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, the public regulation commission may need legislative authorization to expand the scope of its rulemaking authority under the Renewable Energy Act to support a variety of community solar projects and realize the contributions community solar can make to the renewable portfolio standard;      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public regulation commission be requested to convene a task force to develop recommendations for legislation that will support community solar projects planned by local governments, political subdivisions or state post-secondary educational institutions and to facilitate the acceptance and use of electricity generated by these projects by utilities and electric cooperatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of representatives of utility companies, electric cooperatives, energy advocacy groups, conservation groups, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the renewable energy industry and any other interested stakeholders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its legislative recommendations to the appropriate interim committee by July 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public regulation commission and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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