HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
INTRODUCED BY J. STOVALL, D. ADAMS, S. ANDERSON, T. BECK, R. BITNEY, R. BROWN, V. COCCHIARELLA, M. COLE, B. CRIPPEN, D. EWER, K. GILLAN, L. GRINDE, M. HANSON, J. HARP, D. HEDGES, B. KASTEN, D. MCGEE, J. MERCER, D. MOOD, M. NOENNIG, K. OHS, B. PAVLOVICH, B. RANEY, P. SLITER, M. SPRAGUE, B. TASH, L. TAYLOR, C. TUSS, B. WILSON,
C. YOUNKIN, T. ZOOK
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING MONTANA TO PARTICIPATE IN, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGE THE LOCATION OF A 21ST CENTURY SPACEPORT AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITY IN MONTANA, TO NURTURE AN ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ATTRACT VENTURESTAR AND ITS SPACE-RELATED BUSINESSES TO MONTANA, AND TO WELCOME LOCKHEED MARTIN, ITS PARTNERS, AND OTHER SPACE-RELATED INDUSTRIES TO MONTANA.
WHEREAS, every generation that dares to take a first step in a bold new venture changes the world; and
WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin and its partners, including NASA, have embarked on a bold new venture to produce and operate the VentureStar spaceplane, which will change how we travel to and from space; and
WHEREAS, the International Space Station (ISS) is one of the largest and most complex multinational scientific endeavors ever undertaken; and
WHEREAS, Montana's northern latitude and elevation is ideal for launches above 45 degrees inclination to the ISS and other Low Earth Orbits (LEO), including polar; and
WHEREAS, the current fleet of American spacelift vehicles is expensive to operate and maintain and other countries have reduced the cost per pound to orbit to a cost that is below that of American providers; and
WHEREAS, the United States has made it a national priority to compete, reduce operational costs, and maintain our ability to use space as a national asset so that others cannot exert dominance over this vital resource; and
WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin has asked for Requests for Qualification be submitted by interested states as potential launch and landing sites or spaceports and Montana has submitted four site proposals; and
WHEREAS, Montana's environment is ideal for providing cost-effective spacelift operations and for building a major launch and landing facility because of a sparse population; less vulnerability to large earthquakes; a slow steady wind, dry climate, and clear skies to maximize launch window availability and offer conditions that reduce corrosion concerns and costs; minimal lightning concerns; no hurricanes; and very few tornados or other severe weather patterns; and
WHEREAS, the geology of Montana makes earthquake damage a remote possibility while providing a good base for construction of a major launch and landing facility; and
WHEREAS, the cost of utilities is very competitive because the cost of electricity in Montana is among the lowest in the nation, the cost of natural gas in Montana is far below the national average, and water is inherently inexpensive and abundant; and
WHEREAS, Montana is also within reasonable traveling distance of other high-technology centers along the Rocky Mountain Front from Edmonton to Colorado Springs; and
WHEREAS, Montana's workforce is well-educated, embraces a strong work ethic, and demonstrates a concern for community, state, and company success that is unequaled; and
WHEREAS, the Montana university system is highly regarded for its engineering and business programs with rapidly expanding high-technology programs, which produce talented graduates eager to find worthy employment so they can remain in Montana; and
WHEREAS, Montana attracts dedicated employees who want to raise their families in the safe and wholesome lifestyle that Montana provides; and
WHEREAS, the funds managed by the Montana Board of Investments, the Montana Coal Tax Trust Fund, and other capital resources, which together exceed several billion dollars, can help provide a strong economic foundation to spur new business growth and improve Montana's infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the people of Montana seek to diversify and expand the economy of Montana to better position the state to withstand the market swings of a world economy; and
WHEREAS, the assets and objectives of Montana, combined with the needs and objectives of Lockheed Martin, its partners, and the VentureStar, can create a dynamic partnership for a spaceport in Montana; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature and of the Governor that Montana's state agencies concentrate their resources in a spirit of cooperation with private business to bring the VentureStar and other space-related industries to Montana; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Board of Investments give special consideration to all projects that would further the goal of bringing VentureStar to Montana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the people of Montana embrace the opportunity to become a partner in helping to lower the costs of space access and endeavor to nurture an economic and regulatory environment that will attract VentureStar and its space-related businesses and industries to Montana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the people of Montana welcome Lockheed Martin, Sverdrup, Allied Signal, Boeing, BF Goodrich Aerospace, NASA, Skunk Works, the 15 nations of the International Space Station Consortium, and VentureStar as partners and family to their 21st Century home, Montana.
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Latest Version of HJ 15 (HJ0015.ENR)
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