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By: Swinford (Senate Sponsor - Seliger) |
H.C.R. No. 119 |
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(In the Senate - Received from the House May 20, 2009; |
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May 21, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural |
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Resources; May 23, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: |
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Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 23, 2009, sent to printer.) |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Panhandle contains the state's greatest |
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wind power potential and some of its best solar power potential, and |
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wind power and solar energy are two of the most abundant renewable |
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resources on earth; and |
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WHEREAS, Class 4 wind is prevalent throughout the region, and |
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the top 4 of 25 identified wind zones also exist in the Panhandle; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Many wind power development companies are actively |
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pursuing projects with landowners in the region and have filed |
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interconnection requests with the Southwest Power Pool totaling |
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more than 14,000 megawatts; and |
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WHEREAS, The wind industry is developing relationships with |
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institutions of higher learning in the area, including Amarillo |
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College, West Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University, to |
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support and facilitate new jobs and economic development; and |
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WHEREAS, The Panhandle is further distinguished by its |
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numerous hours of solar intensity, which could be captured for |
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solar generation; according to the Climate Program Office of the |
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the region's two |
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largest cities, Amarillo and Lubbock, experience sunshine more than |
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70 percent of the year; and |
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WHEREAS, With plentiful sunshine and a large expanse of |
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high-quality winds, the Panhandle is renowned throughout the state |
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and beyond for its renewable energy potential, and it is indeed |
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appropriate to recognize the region for its promise as a leader in |
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green energy production; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the Panhandle Region of Texas as an official |
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Natural Renewable Resource Area. |
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