HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2008-R0217 - Resolution Expressing Support Of Competitive Renewable Energy Zones - 06_13_2008Resolution No. 2008—RO217
June 13, 2008
Item No. 6.6
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the need for the United States to decrease its reliance on foreign
es of energy is widely recognized, and President Bush and Congressional leaders
both parties have called for increased development of renewable energy and other
stic sources of energy;
WHEREAS, the cost of energy resources upon which Texas and the United
most heavily depend have increased dramatically during the, past 12 months,
na a 75% increase in the cost of crude oil and a 35% increase in the cost of natural
WHEREAS, the United States benefits from adding renewable resources such as
l energy to its portfolio of electric generation sources, as wind energy consumes no
r, produces no emissions and can provide low-cost electricity at stable pricing,
iding a hedge against volatile pricing of fossil fuel -fired generation;
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature also recognized the need for development of
x sources of energy to meet Texas' growing electricity demands, and the desirability
having some portion of such new energy come from renewable resources, which are
mdant in Texas;
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature adopted SB 20 in 2005 directing the Public
ility Commission to designate Competitive Renewable Energy Zones in areas
oughout the State with strong potential for production of cost-effective renewable
-rgy, and further directing the PUC to ensure that transmission infrastructure gets built
needed to transmit electricity to market from such zones;
WHEREAS, West Texas is blessed with a wind resource ideally suited for wind
y production that ranks West Texas among the best regions in the nation for cost-
ive production of electricity from wind;
WHEREAS, citizens of West Texas generally welcome large energy and
acture projects and the increased property tax base and economic development
such projects produce, and have limited alternative opportunities for economic
WHEREAS, the current lack of transmission infrastructure to export wind energy
i West Texas is preventing Texas from taking advantage of this abundant and
haustible natural resource, and depriving electricity consumers in Texas and
where in the United States from the savings which can be achieved by tapping into
cost-effective resource;
WHEREAS, delays in proceeding with the development of needed transmission
ucture are beginning to diminish wind investor interest in West Texas and are
ng to undermine efforts to recruit the wind industry to West Texas;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF LUBBOCK,
a) that the City of Lubbock, Texas supports designation of Competitive
Renewable Energy Zones in West Texas and requests that state officials act to
develop these zones as expeditiously as possible;
b) that the City of Lubbock, Texas supports development of wind energy and
other renewable energy projects in the County and in West Texas;
c) that the City of Lubbock, Texas supports construction of new transmission
lines to transmit wind power from West Texas to consumers of electricity
throughout the Southwest Power Pool's Texas Service Area and ERCOT; and
d) that the City of Lubbock, Texas supports construction of new transmission
lines being contemplated by the Southwest Power Pool to export wind power
from West Texas to consumers of electricity elsewhere in the United States;
and
e) that the City of Lubbock, Texas stands ready to help facilitate siting,
permitting and development of such transmission lines and wind energy
projects in West Texas.
by the City Council this 13th day of June , 2008.
TOM MARTIN, MAYOR
TTEST:
Garza, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Wade, Natural Resources Attomey
Windpower West Tx05.29.08