HOUSE MEMORIAL 21

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Armstrong and James G. Townsend and Cathrynn N. Brown and Alan T. Martinez and Candy Spence Ezzell

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 3, 2023 "NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's rural electric cooperatives provide electric power to eighty percent of New Mexico's land and twenty-two percent of New Mexicans, while more than forty-two million residents across the country are members of one thousand electric cooperatives in forty-seven states; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperative members and owners include seventeen of New Mexico's Indian nations, tribes and pueblos; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives employ more than nine hundred New Mexicans and provide more than sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000) in annual payroll, contributing greatly to the economy of this rural state; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives have invested more than one billion three hundred thousand dollars ($1,000,300,000) in infrastructure, which includes more than forty-six thousand miles of distribution lines serving an average of almost five customers per mile and encompassing more than eighty percent of the land mass of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives have provided more than fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000) in higher education scholarships to more than eight thousand nine hundred New Mexico students over the past twenty years; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are active, engaged leaders in their communities by providing educational scholarships and participating in the national government-in-action youth tour by sending New Mexico students to Washington, D.C. to observe government in action and learn about the importance of electric cooperatives; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives, in partnership with their generation and transmission cooperatives, will meet the requirements of the state renewable portfolio standard of fifty percent by 2024, six years earlier than the estimated time of arrival mandate; and

      WHEREAS, New Mexico rural electric cooperatives are using new technologies to ensure reliable and affordable electricity, including broadband service, to underserved areas within their service territories, 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 February 3, 2023 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 benefits and commitment to rural electrification in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the board president and the chief executive officer of the New Mexico rural electric cooperative association.

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