HOUSE MEMORIAL 25

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

INTRODUCED BY

Rod Montoya

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED AND INCREASED EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OF NATURAL GAS AND THE SAFE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES TO ENSURE JOB GROWTH, TAX REVENUES AND IMPROVED ENERGY SECURITY.

     WHEREAS, all New Mexicans deserve access to affordable and reliable energy, whether gasoline or electricity, and the state deserves equal access to investments that lead to tax revenues and provide essential services such as hospitals, infrastructure, emergency services and schools; and

     WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry is one of the leading industries in New Mexico and contributes a significant number of jobs and tax revenues to New Mexico's gross domestic product; and

     WHEREAS, United States domestic oil and natural gas production broke historic records in 2018 due in large part to the energy-rich Permian basin; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico oil and gas association's Fueling New Mexico reports that revenue from oil and natural gas made up almost thirty percent of New Mexico's general revenue in 2018; and

     WHEREAS, pipelines and transmission lines serve a critical role in delivering natural gas, petroleum and electricity to meet the needs of families, small businesses, industries and markets; and

     WHEREAS, denying the expansion of existing pipelines and the construction of new pipeline projects would impede the significant revitalization of communities and manufacturing industries in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is the eighth-largest net supplier of energy to the nation, according to a United States energy information administration analysis; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is business-friendly and welcomes investments in the local economy; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico accounts for four percent of the nation's total natural gas; and

     WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry has proven itself to be a good corporate citizen, contributing money and significant time and talent to improving the lives of local residents, while achieving environmentally responsible production; and

     WHEREAS, members of state government support the strengthening of the local economy;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support continued and increased exploration and production of natural gas and the safe development of all traditional and alternative energy resources to ensure job growth and tax revenues and improve the energy security of New Mexico's residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the commissioner of public lands, members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and the secretary of the United States department of the interior.

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