1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 491 1-2 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has long been a leader in 1-3 national and global energy resources, but our state must fully 1-4 explore and support the development of renewable energy resources 1-5 to successfully maintain the state's standing in this vital area; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, In spite of having the best renewable resource 1-8 potential in the nation, the State of Texas became a net energy 1-9 importer in 1993, with more than $1 billion spent on coal 1-10 imports alone; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Renewable energy resources are available throughout 1-12 the state, including wind and solar energy in the Panhandle and 1-13 West Texas, biomass energy from agricultural by-products in 1-14 East Texas and the Panhandle, and methane from landfills in urban 1-15 areas, yet these resources have not been developed to their full 1-16 potential; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Wind energy is currently the fastest growing energy 1-18 source in the world, and by continuing to explore the possibilities 1-19 of wind power and other renewable energy resources, the State of 1-20 Texas will firmly place itself in the vanguard of energy producers 1-21 and open up many new employment opportunities for countless 1-22 Texans; and 1-23 WHEREAS, In our role as the elected representatives of the 2-1 citizens of the State of Texas, it is imperative that we, as a 2-2 body, provide the vision and leadership necessary to successfully 2-3 address the issue of energy production and management, for in 2-4 doing so, we will create long-term jobs, return Texas to energy 2-5 independence, and reduce the environmental impacts of traditional 2-6 forms of electrical energy; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 75th Texas Legislature 2-8 hereby recognize April 14 through 19, 1997, as Texas Energy 2-9 Independence Week. 2-10 Duncan 2-11 ______________________________________ 2-12 President of the Senate 2-13 I hereby certify that the above 2-14 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-15 on April 14, 1997. 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 Secretary of the Senate 2-18 ______________________________________ 2-19 Member, Texas Senate