SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 64
(By Senators Deem, Green, D. Facemire, Guills, Kessler,
Minard, Stollings, Sypolt, Williams and Yost)
__________
[Originating in the Committee on Energy, Industry and
Mining; reported April 7, 2009.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
study the public policy issues involved in the possible
development and implementation of carbon dioxide cap
and trade proposals within the State of West Virginia.
Whereas, The production of increased amounts of carbon
dioxide are alleged to be a threat to the health of the
citizens of this state, this country and the world by
causing an increase or growth in "greenhouse gas" in the
form of carbon dioxide pollutant; and
Whereas, It is alleged that, to some extent, the
increase or growth in carbon dioxide is caused by the
burning of fossil fuels which include coal mined and
produced in West Virginia; and
Whereas, It is in the interest of the citizens of this
state that there be maintenance of a healthy environment and protection of life-sustaining ecological processes, based
upon thorough knowledge as to how coal may be mined in this
state and utilized in a manner that is in harmony with
essential ecological processes and human health; and
Whereas, There appears to be growing interest in this
country and elsewhere in the world to develop cap and trade
systems that involve the trading of emission allowances,
where the total allowance is strictly limited or "capped"
considerably lower than the historic level of emissions, and
where a market mechanism is established that allows emitters
to buy emissions from or sell emissions to other emitters;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is
hereby requested to study the public policy issues involved
in the possible development and implementation of carbon
dioxide cap and trade proposals within the State of West
Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance may seek input and information from
experts and other resources appropriate to this study; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the
Legislature, 2010, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation
necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to
conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft
necessary legislation be paid from legislative
appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance.