HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 25
(By Delegates Craig, Amores, Browning, Campbell, Cann, Caputo, Crosier, Ellem, Howard,
Iaquinta, Kominar, Longstreth, Manchin, Michael, Miley, Morgan, Pethtel, Poling, Sobonya,
Stalnaker, Stephens, Talbott, Ron Thompson, Trump and Varner,)
Encouraging the 109th Congress to enact multiemission legislation that will provide reduction
targets for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury at reasonable and appropriate levels
and over periods of time that will provide certainty, stability and maximum flexibility to
electric power generators in meeting their air quality targets while maintaining electric power
reliability, availibility and affordability.
Whereas, The State of West Virginia, its citizens and its industries have a shared interest
in improving air quality; and
Whereas, The quality of life in the State depends on a reliable supply of electric power; and
Whereas, The State's electric power generators must comply with multiple and sometimes
overlapping air quality requirements, the interpretation of which is often decided in courts of law;
and
Whereas, The time necessary for emission reduction-related litigation often reduces the time
available for the installation of emission-reduction technologies and increases the costs of
compliance which eventually are passed on to consumers of electric power; and
Whereas, Congress has an opportunity in the form of S. 131, the Clear Skies Act of 2005, to adopt a federal, integrated strategy that establishes aggressive but reasonable time frames and
reduction targets for the nation's three highest priority electric power plant emissions: nitrogen
oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury; and
Whereas, Such a multiemission strategy will minimize interstate regulatory compliance
conflicts, lessen the need for costly, time-consuming litigation, allow for the design and deployment
of more cost-effective technologies, and continue the nation's progress for reducing potentially
harmful emissions in as cost-effective manner as possible without negatively impacting the reliability
of the nation's power supplies; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates of West Virginia:
That the House of Delegates hereby encourages the 109th Congress to enact multiemission
legislation that will provide reduction targets for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury at
reasonable and appropriate levels and over periods of time that will provide certainty, stability and
maximum flexibility to electric power generators in meeting their air quality targets while
maintaining electric power reliability, availability and affordability; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is herby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to
Senator Robert C. Byrd, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Congressman Alan Mollohan, Congresswoman
Shelley Moore Capito, Congressman Nick Joe Rahall and Governor Joe Manchin.