S-1369.1          _______________________________________________

                            SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8016

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senators Conner, Owen and Bauer.

Read first time February 26, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

Petitioning Congress to develop a comprehensive energy policy.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

     WHEREAS, Military action, social unrest, and economic instability in the Middle East could seriously disrupt the supply of oil to the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Oil is a major source of energy in our nation; and

     WHEREAS, Since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, energy has been the lifeblood of economic activity and growth; and

     WHEREAS, Continued economic development in an increasingly competitive world marketplace requires affordable and reliable supplies of energy resources; and

     WHEREAS, Energy imports account for approximately one‑fourth of the national balance of trade deficit; and

     WHEREAS, Our nation's high levels of fossil fuel consumption have created ozone and carbon monoxide hazards that choke our cities and acid rain that destroys forestry and fisheries resources; and

     WHEREAS, Existing patterns of energy use may be creating a climatic "greenhouse effect" that could dramatically reduce agricultural productivity; and

     WHEREAS, Our nation is blessed with abundant domestic energy resources and technology, including coal, gas, oil, and uranium supplies and renewable resources that can meet our needs and reduce our reliance on imports;

     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President of the United States and the United States Congress, to ensure a stable, economic, and environmentally beneficial supply of domestic energy resources, direct the development of a comprehensive national energy policy that examines the costs and benefits of all resource alternatives to best promote and encourage the development of domestic clean energy supplies and increased energy efficiency.

     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.