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.168884.1

HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 74

48

TH

LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Andy Nuņez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC REGULATORY COMMISSION TO MAKE A ONE-YEAR

STUDY OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE INCREASING COSTS

OF FLOOD-CONTROL INSURANCE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico state agencies, including the office

of the state engineer, have conducted reviews of the reality

and possible effects of global warming and associated climate

change, and these agencies have concluded that both are

occurring and that both will have negative impacts on our

state; and

WHEREAS, a conference of the world's experts in the field

concluded in a report in February 2007 that climate change is

happening and that the actions of humans are, in part,

responsible and that many of the associated adverse impacts

cannot be reversed; and

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.168884.1

WHEREAS, one of the associated effects that has already

been observed is an increase in the number and magnitude of

precipitation events of long duration and great intensity,

leading to flooding that threatens farms, homes and businesses

in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, another associated effect is that insurance

carriers are responding by increasing rates and by requiring

that flood control facilities be designed to carry

significantly larger floodwater capacities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public regulatory commission

conduct a study of this matter and report its findings and

recommendations to the next session of the legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the public regulatory commission.

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